ConFluence: Futures in Color

The second time an artist organized comic-con celebrating art, sci-fi, futurisms, fandoms and fantasy centered on content by and for BIPOC communities will be coming to NE Minneapolis. In its first year, ConFluence reached nearly 550 attendees for two days of programming.

“ConFluence felt like possibility and JOY. NO judgement, just an invitation to come as one’s nerdy, weird, and fun selves. What a blessing!” – 2023 ConFluence attendee, from the post-event survey.

ConFluence is a convention centering the voices, presence, stories, liberation and joy of Black people, Indigenous people, and people of color, and is being produced by a multiethnic, multicultural volunteer team of artists, organizers, gamers, and self-proclaimed nerds. ConFluence attendees will have access to creative workshops, panel discussions, a cosplay contest, a vendor marketplace, a gaming area, a curated visual art exhibition, and the “Prismatic Underground” themed dance party. Food will be available for purchase on site from local food trucks, and a catered popup within Public Functionary.

Sofia-Rose Nagberi joined the ConFluence planning team for the first time this year, sharing, “I joined the team because I personally believe that we should make space for and amplify the voices of Black nerds, Black cosplayers, Black anime fanatics, and make community with those around us. I'm so excited to contribute to that as a member of the Youth Engagement Committee for ConFluence.”

In 2023, ConFluence featured several Special Guests including Trina McGee (Boy Meets World), Harry Waters Jr (Back to the Future), and Ytasha Womack (writer Afrofuturism: The World of Black Sci Fi and Fantasy Culture). This year’s line up will prove to be equally as exciting, with industry guests like Evva Karr, founder of Glitch and visionary force in reshaping gaming’s future. More guests to be announced. 2025 panels will include topics like “Beyond Black Panther- Forgotten Representation in Sci-Fi Films and TV Shows” and “Queering the Multiverse”. Workshops like Zine making with artist Baki Baki Baki offer opportunities for attendees to learn new creative skills. Art will be infused into everything, with site-specific decor and installations created by Jordan Hamilton, Genie Hien Tran, and TaVanni Singleton. 

Minneapolis-based artist and ConFluence producer Leslie Barlow shared, “It’s really exciting to be able to collaborate with so many incredible people to create ConFluence again this year. Events like this, for communities to connect across our diversity, gather in joy, and celebrate our representation, are more critical than ever.”

ConFluence: Futures in Color takes place on Saturday, October 18th and Sunday, October 19th, 2025, from 10am - 8pm both days. The “Prismatic Underground” dance party is scheduled for Saturday night from 8pm - midnight. Tickets currently start at $25 as a part of the Early-Bird promotion (available until April 1st before they go to their regular rate). Every ticket includes a free swag bag. Convention activities take place in several spaces within the Northrup King Building that include the Public Functionary galleries, the Northrup King gallery, and multiple partnering artist studios.