Virtuous Con 2025 Summer Workshop Series
You’ve been sitting on that idea long enough. That comic you started and dropped. That manuscript collecting dust. That sci-fi world you mapped out in a notebook three phones ago. The time for “someday” is over.
Virtuous Con 2025 isn’t just a creative event—it’s a wake-up call. It’s where you stop second-guessing your voice and finally start building the story only you can tell.
Founded by award-winning author Cerece Rennie Murphy, Virtuous Con was created to amplify Black and BIPOC voices in sci-fi, fantasy, comics, and literature. Since launching in 2020, it’s grown into a digital home for creators who don’t wait for permission. Live panels, interactive vendor booths, workshops, and guest speakers? Yes. But more importantly—access, knowledge, and community.
This summer, the focus sharpens with a four-week Virtuous Con 2025 Summer Workshop Series running from July 9 to July 27. These aren’t just feel-good Zoom calls. These are real-world creative labs where seasoned storytellers share the lessons they learned the hard way—so you don’t have to.
David Crownson (July 9)
Creator of Harriet Tubman: Demon Slayer and CEO of Kingwood Comics, David Crownson will walk you through the anatomy of a pitch that actually lands. With real deals closed with major studios, his workshop offers practical insights to help you move past the idea phase and into the deal-making space. He knows how to make people listen before your work is even finished, and he’s sharing what works—and what doesn’t.
Sarah Jefferson Carter (July 16)
An indie filmmaker with two decades in the game and creator of Queendom Come, Sarah Jefferson Carter delivers a no-fluff breakdown of how to take a bold idea from concept to screen—even without a Hollywood budget. Her session at Virtuous Con 2025 is for anyone tired of waiting for the “right” time. She’s proof that creativity doesn’t need a million-dollar budget—just clarity, courage, and a strong vision.
John Jennings (July 20)
Eisner Award winner, NYT bestselling graphic novelist, and Harvard Fellow, John Jennings is all about crafting Black worlds with meaning. He’ll guide attendees through world-building that draws from culture and lived experience, helping you avoid hollow tropes and bring something authentic to the table. For anyone building a universe with weight and intention, this is essential knowledge.
Leslye Penelope (July 27)
Author of Song of Blood & Stone, one of TIME’s 100 Best Fantasy Books, Leslye Penelope will show you how to write with purpose, clarity, and emotional resonance. Her session is a must-attend in the Virtuous Con 2025 series for anyone who wants their story to stick. Whether you’re writing romance, fantasy, or something in between, Leslye brings the tools to elevate your work.
Each session is live, 2 hours long, and hosted via Zoom. Tickets are $29.99 each or $99 for the full series. The format is interactive and personal—you’re not just watching a screen; you’re joining a room full of people ready to move forward. These aren’t lectures—they’re opportunities.
Virtuous Con 2025 is about getting honest insight from creators who’ve been through the struggle, navigated the gatekeeping, and still found a way to make their work matter. It’s about learning from people who didn’t wait to be invited—they built the rooms themselves.
If you’re looking for more events that center and celebrate Black creativity, check out our growing list of experiences at blerd.com.
Your story deserves to be told—before someone else tells a watered-down version of it first.
Don’t miss this. Don’t keep waiting. Register now: virtuouscon.com
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