Hero Nation-Ypsilanti 2017

MISSION STATEMENT Hero Nation-Ypsilanti seeks to empower the Ypsilanti community through the celebration of superheroes, diversity and self-empowerment. WHAT IS HERO NATION - YPSILANTI? Long before they appeared on the big screen, superheroes have been at the forefront of pop culture. Their intrinsic association to human aspiration, ingenuity, and strength has inspired us to connect with the hero within ourselves. Through colorfully splashed comic panels, they’ve shown us that although not every battle ends in victory, a hero’s tenacity ensures an eventual win. However, not unlike much of American history, superheroes have fallen victim to the perpetual erasure of multiculturalism, people of color, the LBGTQ community, women, people with disabilities and other marginalized groups. But the lack of intersectionality throughout the history of the genre has inspired numerous progressive movements among fans, where the primary goal is to redefine the genre in a way that’s universally inclusive. Hero Nation seeks to contribute to this cause on a broader scale. It also focuses on the individual experience, ensuring that everyone feels empowered by celebrating the hero within themselves. Not only will Hero Nation provide a platform for diverse artist, writers and creators, while offering a safe space for thought-provoking panel discussions about superheroes inside Ypsilanti’s Parkridge Community Center, it will also have outside festivities; all in celebration of superheroes and diversity. So grab your capes, leather suits, lassos of truth, tights, armor, swords and shields, and join the Hero Nation on September 9th. It’s time to save the world!