Gulf Coast Cosmos Comics, a Black-owned shop in Houston’s Third Ward, is at the heart of a growing Black nerd community, promoting representation and creativity in comics and fandom. As DreamCon 2026 approaches, founder Byron Canady emphasizes the importance of visibility and history for Black fans and creators, hosting events like Geek Meet and artist signings to foster community engagement. The shop’s mission is to expand the narrative around Black participation in comics, encouraging young fans to dream big and learn their craft.

Explore the oldest building in Freedmen’s Town, home of Elder Yates and young Rutherford Yates. In 1922, he and his brother Paul launched Houston’s first Black-owned printing press, giving voice to the community.