Afro Thvnder brings the heat for 28 Days of Black Cosplay!

Please tell us your name and where you are based.
Shanice Brittany Clarke, Portland, Oregon

How long have you been cosplaying?
About five years, casually

What characters have you cosplayed the most?
The character I have cosplayed the most by default is Misty Knight. Although, I enjoying playing with new characters and making new builds for cosplay, and often move on to something new!

Please list your Website or Fan Pages
Twitch
Facebook
Twitter

1. What made you decide to cosplay?
I decided to cosplay because of seeing other Black folks tap into their nerdom [sic] and love of character though cosplay. Black people have helped me see that regardless of how a character is shaped or their skin tone, there is a way to connect with the character on a whole new level.


2. What do you do for your day job or hobbies?
I work in school administration. A big hobby of mine is gaming. After a hard day, nothing is more cathartic than accomplishing a challenge or mission. To see progress or improvement that depends on the use of critical thinking, truly makes my cup instantly full. 


3. Which of your cosplays have been the most challenging and/or the most rewarding and why?
First, there are so many ways to cosplay, and it can be something quick versus an elaborate cosplay build. We should support each other, and affirm the different ways people connect to characters. People of color have spaces that are for us, by us, and will build you up as you are going through your journey playing with cosplay!

^{Proxima Midnight – Photo Credit: David ‘DTJAAAAM’ Ngo – DTJAAAAM.COM}

4. What is the best advice you would give to other cosplayers of color specifically and what one thing could the cosplay community do better when dealing with one another?
We should create more spaces to learn from each other, and go through the experience of dreaming up cosplay together. I enjoy discord being a major aspect of the gaming community, and wish that cosplay had a similar drive to build relationships as we build our cosplay.