We’re spotlighting talent in the cosplay community!
Every month, The Variant showcases cosplayers who display talent, creativity, and a positive voice within the cosplay community. 

This month we decided to do something just a little extra. So while planning this month’s Spotlight an idea popped into my head. Why should we have only one Cosplay Spotlight for February? It’s not only Black History Month, but also the yearly 28 Days of Black Cosplay on-line event. Why don’t we get 28 POC cosplayers and feature each one daily for the entire month?

Considering I decided I wanted to do this on the 15th of January it had to be one of the most irresponsible decisions I’ve ever made in regards to The Variant. We had zero planning. We would have had to find, photograph and edit 28 different cosplayers in 16 days. Oh, and it’s a Leap Year so make that 29 cosplayers.

I spoke to the team and while none of them actually told me I was crazy, you could feel the “RJ’s crazy” vibe coming through the group chat. Of course, that made me want to do it more so I had a serious discussion with our fearless Photography Director, Tomisina. She offered to help edit and shoot when she could as her schedule was already booked solid. We have a few freelance photogs we work with that offered to help out as well so I put the word out that we were looking for black cosplayers.

The response was INCREDIBLE. We got cosplayers from all over North & South Carolina, Georgia and Maryland to come join us on this adventure. I went to a few different corners of the state and we did multiple group shoots. It all came together.

Anyway, long story short, we did it.
You all did it.
Everyone that helped.
Everyone that participated.
Everyone that asked to be a part of this.
You’re all AMAZING!!

As I’m sitting here writing this and getting ready to post I’m thinking about all of you and how you all came together to create something outstanding. I’m pretty proud of it and everyone involved.

So now I’m gonna give a HUGE Thank You to all the people listed below and then I’m gonna crash. It’s been a crazy 16 days and this is just the start of the month. We still have 29 days!!

I hope you enjoy what we’ve done. Go follow all the cosplayers and photographers!
10 out of 10, they all deserve the Spotlight.

My heartfelt gratitude Love and sincerest THANKS
go out to:

The BEST Photographers
Tomisina Lynn
Cordelia Morea
Cindy Jaen

The MOST INCREDIBLE Cosplayers
Belleawsum Cosplay
Brown Suga Outlaw
Cayhero
Charlie Rocket Cosplay
Combo Breakers Cosplay
Dark Hyperion
Dominator.Cos
Frankie K Cosplay
Furious Big Cat
Grimm Ragnarok
HighHeeled Gamer
Haus of Mint
JJ Jones
Kenya
Lord Soti Ammag
Magicaa.png
MJ DP Cosplay
Mootyvision
Mr. Everything
Myko Shia
Parker Projects
Randi Locke
Reese’s Man
RedPenguin Cosplay
Sharpe Stitches
SilverHeart Cosplay
Sixth Raikage
The Female Blerd

Click on their pictures in the grid below to follow them on social media and keep scrolling to see all the incredible pictures of everyone!! Stay tuned every day in February to see all of these Cosplay Spotlights SHINE!!

…wait… why are you still reading this??
GO CHECK OUT THE PICS!!!!