January Newsletter
As 2024 unfolds, we're thrilled to tackle new challenges, celebrate achievements, and boost our gaming industry presence. Our January newsletter brims with updates, events, and stories showcasing our journey towards a bigger impact in gaming.
2023 Highlights
Our community achieved remarkable milestones last year:
Membership Growth: Over 600 new members joined, enriching our community with their talents and views.
Successful BIG Town Halls: These saw a 40% participation increase, creating new connections and opportunities.
Award-Winning Creations: Many members were honored for their innovative games and industry contributions.
Expansion in 2024
We welcomed new BIG Management team members, adding vast experience, fresh ideas, and aligning with our mission.
The Year Ahead
Key Events: Be sure to attend the Black in Gaming Awards, explore opportunities at the BIG Virtual Career Fair, join the Black ERG Summit, check out our Town Hall, engage with our educational partnerships, discover indie opportunities, and participate in BIG Fest for networking and gaining valuable insights.
New Partnerships: We're joining forces with major gaming studios for more equitable gaming environments.
Community Outreach: Expanding to schools and universities, we aim to inspire folk in the gaming ecosystem.
Member Spotlights: This year, we're highlighting members making significant industry impacts. This month, meet our new board members, Latoya Peterson and Dennis Matthews, whose impressive careers are detailed on LinkedIn.
Get Involved
Join us as a volunteer, mentor, or sponsor to support our growth.
Feedback Loop
We value your ideas for improving and expanding our initiatives.
Thank You
Your support is vital. Here's to a year of milestones and a stronger Black in Gaming community! Stay connected via social media and our website. Here's to a groundbreaking 2024!
Warm regards,
Executive Director
The Black in Gaming Foundation
🌟 Nominate Now for the BIG Awards! 🌟
Don't miss this chance to highlight outstanding individuals in the gaming industry with the Black in Gaming Foundation's BIG Awards. Celebrate those who've inspired and impacted you.
How to Nominate: Head over to the Nomination Form, where you can submit. It's a simple process:
Choose the category that best fits your nominee.
Tell us why they deserve to be recognized.
Submit your nomination and spread the word!
Submit your nomination by January 31, 2024. Let's make this year's BIG Awards unforgettable!
MAGFEST HERE WE GO!
Panel Topic: Exaggerated Swagger of a Black Game Dev (REMIX)
This panel explores the essence of 'cool' in video games through the lens of the Black community, and how Black game developers create opportunities for representation in the medium while also adding to the culture. Join game developers from different expertise areas as we explore the influences of culture and community in the process of creating video games and navigating the industry as a black creator. This panel was created with Blerds at heart, for those who create, consume, and celebrate the positive strides made for Black creatives in the game industry! Moderated by our very own Mia Ginaé Watkins (Riot Games)
MEET THE PANELISTS:
Jerell John (Diablo 4, MLB)
Kayla P Harris (MLB The Show, EchoVR)
Adanna Nedd (Spirit Swag, KissU)
Timothy Staton-Davis (God of War: Ragnarok, Marvels Avengers)
Danielle Wallace (Hyper Light Breaker)
Uptown Station Anime and Gaming Mixer - Join the Fun!
Date: Sunday, January 28, 2024
Time: 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM PST
Location: Uptown Station, 1955 Broadway, Oakland, CA
Hosted By: Afrocomicon & Black in Gaming Foundation
Who's Invited? Everyone! Whether you're a hardcore gamer, an anime enthusiast, or just looking for a fun evening, this event is for you!
What's Happening? Get ready for an exciting Anime and Gaming Mixer at Uptown Station! Dive into a world of entertainment with a fantastic selection of board games, video games, comics, and anime. It's not just about the games; it's a chance to meet like-minded individuals and make new friends.
What to Expect? A casual and friendly atmosphere filled with fun and games. Light refreshments will be provided to keep the energy high. This mixer is the perfect opportunity to hang out, share your passion for gaming and anime, and connect with cool people from the community.
Don't miss out on this unique gathering of anime and gaming enthusiasts. Mark your calendars and join us for an unforgettable evening of fun and games! See you there!
Thanks to everyone who joined our last Town Hall! Key topics included Organizational Priorities, Community Spotlights, Discussions with Guest Speakers, and a Q & A/Networking session. Missed it?
Watch the recordings using these links:
Passcode: B3CPu*1+
Passcode: y#qAyA9t
Special thanks to our guests and the BIG Management Team for a fantastic production!
Latest Fireside Chat:
Guest: Bryson Whiteman
Watch on: YouTube
Previous Chat:
Interested in Mock Interviews?
Community Interest Survey
Our Discord community is considering initiating a mock interview initiative. We're assessing the level of enthusiasm for such a program and are on the lookout for experienced individuals to act as interviewers.
If you're intrigued by the prospect of participating or if you'd appreciate the opportunity to practice through a mock interview, kindly complete the following survey!
Are you a member?
We're committed to staying connected with you, and there are some exciting opportunities ahead:
Join Us: Become a valued member of our community. If you haven't already, sign up here.
Empower Change: Make a difference by volunteering. Your skills can contribute to meaningful initiatives. Become a volunteer today!
Connect Instantly: Join our vibrant Discord group to engage with fellow enthusiasts and professionals. Click here to be part of the conversation.
Stay Updated: Follow us on social media for updates, insights, and industry news. Connect with us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
Personal Touch: Have questions or want a 1:1 conference call with our Executive Director? Reach out for a one-on-one chat by scheduling here.
That's a wrap for this week's newsletter! We hope you're as excited as we are about the incredible events and opportunities on the horizon. Keep gaming, keep creating, and keep making a difference in our community!
As always, feel free to reach out with any questions or ideas you may have. We're here to make this community the best it can be.
Until next time!
