Please provide your First Name & Last Initial: Rahsaan D.

Where are you from originally, or where do you reside currently? Chicago, Illinois and Falls Church, Virginia, respectively.

How long have you been cosplaying? 5 years

What characters have you cosplayed? Venom, Captain America, Magneto, Archangel

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What inspired you to start cosplaying? I’ve loved comic books and science fiction since I was very young. Growing up, my parents would make homemade costumes for my sister and I for Halloween. In college, I made myself costumes for parties. Eventually that turned into trying to “build a better mousetrap” (Thank you, YouTube for the 5 year long rabbit hole you’ve sent me down). I haven’t looked back since.

What do you do when you are not cosplaying? Graphic and Web Developer, gym rat, arts & crafts enthusiast, cook.

What costumes have provided the biggest challenge and rewards so far and why? Captain America: While there are many takes on Cap’s costume, one doesn’t take liberties with the shield. Learning dremel techniques, bonding agents, harness techniques… it became a little all-encompassing. The reward: The compliments from people! Everyone loved it!

Archangel. Learning how to make motor driven articulating appendages has been…..challenging at times. But the moment you get a circuit to complete or an arm to move properly makes it sooo worth it!

What is the best advice you would give someone new to cosplaying? Don’t be afraid to put your own spin on a costume and run with it! Creating something that is uniquely your own is what makes cosplay so special! There are no rules on size, build, skin tone, hair style, or gender! Be YOUR interpretation of your character! (and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise!)

What would be your dream cosplay? My dream cosplay? Someday I’d like to build an alien from Aliens, complete with the bulbous head and long articulating tail. Now THAT would be something!!

Why do you feel that #28DaysofBlackCosplay is important? I love it!! Seeing cosplayers of color putting things together and representing characters they love makes me happy! Bravo!! More!! Encore!!

What is one thing the PoC cosplay community can do better when it comes to relating to each other? More open communication. Let your fellow PoC cosplayers know you’re out there and interested in communicating, making friends, starting dialogues, putting together a build party! A cosplayer you just met could turn you on to a new genre! Or include you in their next group cosplay! You never know!!
Being positive, supportive, and encouraging of other cosplayers (PoC or otherwise). Remember that first time you put on a costume and stepped outside? How much easier would it have been with a group to stand by you with encouragement?