Black and Queer Owned Anime Convention Coming to Novi

In the Detroit area, there's an exciting anime convention called IsshoCon happening this month. It's organized by the owners of Otaku Detroit, a small business all about anime and Japanese culture. The idea for IsshoCon came from the community's request for another anime convention in Michigan, and thanks to their support, it became a reality, according to the event website.

IsshoCon started with a single-day event at Beer Middle School in Warren. Over time, their mini-conventions grew with the help of the community. The inspiration for the name "IsshoCon" comes from the Japanese word "issho" meaning togetherness, reflecting the inclusive vibe of the convention.

One of the standout features of IsshoCon is its commitment to highlighting Black and queer representation within the anime community. The convention has a lineup of well-known voice actors, such as Zeno Robinson and Anairis Quiñones, as well as accomplished cosplayers like Clover Aura and Jade Aurora.

Anairis Quiñones is the voice behind characters like Mirko in My Hero Academia and Nessa in Pokemon: Twilight Wings. She's also voiced characters in Street Fighter 6, Attack on Titan, and Jujutsu Kaisen 0. Zeno Robinson is known for being the voice of "Alan Albright" in Ben 10 Alien Force.

Clover Aura is a cosplayer and performer from Detroit. She's also a founding member of the Chocolate Idol Network (CIN), a group that's all about making black idols more visible and empowered in the international idol community. Jade Aurora, based in Michigan, wears many hats. She's a pinup model, cosplayer, artist, and burlesque performer.

The support from local artists and sponsors, including Psychic Drive and Comix Wellspring, adds an extra layer of inclusivity to the event.

Happening from January 26 to 28 at the Sheraton Hotel in Novi, IsshoCon promises a great time. It includes gaming tournaments, anime parties, and karaoke over the three days. The vendors' hall will feature a diverse array of anime memorabilia crafted by people of color (POC) and queer creators, ranging from art and figures to posters. Additionally, Panels with diverse voices will offer interesting discussions. IsshoCon is expected to attract anime fans and those into alternative culture.

There are quite a few Black-owned resorts and hotels across the country, and some have become absolute go-to's for travelers. However, their prevalence is not as extensive as one might wish. According to data from the National Association of Black Hotel Owners, Operators & Developers (NABHOOD), only 2% of hotels in the United States are Black-owned, with less than 1% owned by Black women. NABHOOD is dedicated to advocating for increased representation of Black entrepreneurs in the hospitality industry and promoting economic growth within the community. They offer valuable resources and a digital directory of Black-owned establishments for travelers.

Black people have been making their mark in hospitality since the late 18th century. Rachael Pringle Polgreen, born into slavery around 1753, achieved a significant milestone during the 1770s to 1780s. This was when she became the first woman of color to own a tavern-hotel, the Royal Navy Hotel in Bridgetown, Barbados. In 1871, the Wormley Hotel emerged as one of the early Black-owned hotels in the United States. Its founder, James Wormley, established a successful hospitality business, although it catered to affluent and influential white men.

During the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, only a limited number of Black-owned hotels in the United States were part of major hotel chains. One example was a Holiday Inn in Tuskegee, Alabama, which opened in the early 1970s and later transitioned to the Tuskegee Inn before closing its doors. Then there was the Benchmark Hotel, started by Mabra Holeyfield and Frank Banks in 1983, which turned into a Days Inn in 1988. In 2008, this hotel was acquired by Mike Roberts, then Chairman of NABHOOD, and was transformed into a Clarion Collection property, according to the organization.

Supporting Black-owned hotels provides a simple yet effective means to empower African-American entrepreneurs in the hospitality industry and encourage greater diversity within this industry. Here is a list of six Black-owned hotels in the United States that you might want to check out.

The Hilton Cabana Miami Beach is part of the RLJ Lodging Trust's hotel collection, which includes properties associated with BET founder Robert Johnson. It was acquired in 2012 for $71.6 million. Located along the Atlantic Ocean, the Hilton Cabana Miami Beach offers a beachfront location with direct access to the shore. Guests can take advantage of amenities like outdoor pools, poolside cabanas, and access to a private beach.

The seven-room bed-and-breakfast is operated by owners Sharon Owens and Genora Boykins. It is conveniently located within walking distance of Houston's various restaurants and entertainment venues. All guest rooms offer a range of amenities, including a private spa bath featuring options like a walk-in shower, couple's rain shower, or Jacuzzi tub.

Rhonda and Erik Albert own a 10-room Victorian inn in Oak Bluffs, Martha's Vineyard. This inn, designed by architect Mark Hutker, features an iconic lighthouse that has been a point of interest for both locals and tourists. According to their website, some notable guests who have stayed at the inn include film director Spike Lee and jazz musician Wynton Marsalis.

Sheila Johnson, a co-founder of Black Entertainment Television, owns the 168-room Salamander Resort & Spa. This resort features a 23,000-square-foot spa and offers various outdoor activities like zip-lining, hiking, and horseback riding. Guests can also enjoy biking on the property, exploring the nearby town, and visiting wineries in the area.

The Clevedale Historic Inn and Gardens, located in Upstate South Carolina, is owned by Pontheolla and Paul Abernathy. This inn comprises four rooms: the Ohana Suite, The Wren, The Westmoreland Bridal Suite, and the MackRail Cabin Car. The MackRail Cabin Car is a vintage 1947 Southern Rail Caboose that has been converted into a queen-bedroom suite and is positioned near Clevedale's English Knot Garden and Courtyard.

The Hamilton Howell House is a bed-and-breakfast located in the Martin Luther King, Jr. Historic District in Atlanta's Old Fourth Ward. Constructed in 1893 by Alexander Hamilton, Jr., a prominent African-American contractor and builder in Atlanta, this historic residence was purchased and restored by the Howell/Youngblood family in 1984, becoming the second family to inhabit it. Guests have the choice of reserving one of the four bedrooms: the W.E.B. Du Bois, the Elizabeth Catlett, the Maya Angelou, or the John Coltrane, each featuring a private bathroom. The recently updated home also includes a modern kitchen, a business center, a sunroom with a built-in spa, and a deck and patio.