Live sessions include: Learning the toy-making process w/ David Vonner, how to draw comics w/ Tony Washington, creating comic book music with Quelle Chris, producing a comic book w/ Chris Robinson; and a Special Screening of the Oscar-Winning film Two Distant Strangers & Q&A w/ Travon Free)

*Schedule subject to change

• Opening Remarks- (Foster Ware)and Presenting Sponsor Video (10-10:10a)
• Creating Comic Books from A-Z (Travon Free/Chris Robinson/Eric Pertilla) (10:10-11:10)
• Break/Video Presentation (11:10-11:15a)
• Comic Book Drawing with Tony Washington (11:15-12:45p)
• Lunch (12:45-1:45p)
• Comic Book Music Scoring with Quelle Chris (1:45-2:45p)
• Break/Video Presentation (2:45-2:50p)
• Toy Design & Innovation with David Vonner (2:50-3:50p)
• Break/Video Presentation (3:50-4p)
• Adversity in the Industry: From Toys to TV, Moderated by Art Franklin – Chris Robinson, Travon Free, David Vonner, Tony Washington, Quelle Chris, and Eric Pertilla (4-5)
• Screening of Two Distant Strangers/Q&A with Oscar-winning filmmaker, Travon Free (5-6p)
• Poster Signing/Red Carpet/Reception (6-8p)
• Live Music Performance by Quelle Chris (8p)

At the core of this initiative is a completely interactive, educational experience provided by members of the creative team of the comic book DRAC: Son of Dante, including Shaka King (Oscar-nominated writer, director, producer); Travon Free (Oscar-winning filmmaker); Saladin Ahmed (Eisner-winning comic book writer); Quelle Chris (acclaimed Music Composer); and more!

The goal of this conference is to expose, educate, and engage multicultural students in high school and college, their families, and the greater community of Birmingham (writers, artists, music creators) whom are typically excluded from the endless creative career opportunities present in the entertainment industry.

CreateHubs, in the context in which they’re being established for this campaign and educational initiative (centered around the comic book release of “Drac: Son of Dante”), are simply workstations (currently being installed in community pillars such as libraries, barbershops, salons, the YMCA, the Boys & Girls Club, the Urban League, and more), providing the youth with the ability to develop, produce, and publish content related to comic books.

Accompanying these CreateHubs will be a series of unique edutainment courses (set to launch in August) that bring students (High School/College/art schools/juvenile detention centers, etc.) from learning the background of the creative disciplines, all the way into live instruction demonstrations and real time engagement!