From Serving The Nation to Serving Blerds

From Serving The Nation to Serving Blerds, an Anime NYC Exclusive with BlerdCon CEO & U.S. Army Veteran Hilton George

When you step into Anime NYC, you’re instantly swept into a vibrant three-day celebration of manga, anime, cosplay, gaming, and artistry. The convention is a kaleidoscope of colors, energy, and imagination where thousands of fans from every background gather to share their love of geek culture. But hidden among the crowd of cosplayers in armor, elf ears, and elaborate makeup, there’s another group quietly present—veterans and service members.

That’s exactly why Hilton George, U.S. Army veteran and co-founder of BlerdCon, makes it a point to show up at events like Anime NYC. His mission is clear: to give visibility to veterans in geek spaces and to continue building inclusive communities where people from all walks of life can feel seen.

From Army Service to Higher Education

When Hilton left the military in the 1990s, his “grand master plan” was to go to college. But transitioning back then wasn’t easy. Unlike today, universities weren’t closely aligned with the VA or veteran support organizations. Admissions processes didn’t recognize military experience as they do now, so veterans like Hilton had to figure out the path largely on their own.

“It took me six months just to get enrolled,” Hilton recalls. “But once my benefits kicked in, I hit the ground running.”

That determination carried him into higher education administration, where he focused on STEM programs and student engagement. His work in academia brought him closer to nerd culture, and eventually, convention organizing. Each step of his journey connected like dots on a map, eventually leading to the creation of BlerdCon—a convention that celebrates the intersection of Black culture, geekdom, and community.

Military Values in Geek Culture

Hilton’s Army MOS was 31N—Signal Communications Specialist—a highly technical field that required rigorous training in communications and security. While the specific technical skills didn’t directly translate to organizing conventions, the discipline and structure of military life did.

“Military life instills self-reliance, accountability, and team building,” Hilton explains. “When you bring that into a civilian project, people notice the confidence and certainty in your leadership. They gravitate toward it.”

His late co-founder, Hassan, was a Navy veteran. Together, they brought a shared understanding of mission execution: identify the task, develop a plan, and get it done. That military tempo helped them scale BlerdCon into one of the most innovative conventions in the U.S.

Why Anime NYC Matters?

Anime NYC is a melting pot of cultures, communities, and fandoms. For Hilton, it’s the perfect venue to highlight how veterans belong in geek spaces too.

“You’d be shocked how many veterans are walking around here in cosplay,” Hilton says. “You’ll talk to someone for ten minutes before they casually mention they’re stationed at Fort Hood or just got back from deployment.”

That quiet presence inspired Hilton to advocate more strongly for veteran visibility in geek culture. Many veterans find healing, community, and joy in fandom, but those stories often go untold. By showing up at events like Anime NYC, Hilton and BlerdCon help open doors for conversations about identity, service, and creativity.

BlerdCon: A Movement of Inclusion

When Hilton first researched the idea for BlerdCon, he expected to find similar events already happening nationwide. But to his surprise, nothing like it existed. That gap revealed an opportunity—not just for representation, but for community-building.

BlerdCon (short for “Black Nerd Convention”) launched to spotlight the experiences of Black nerds, but its mission is deeply inclusive. It embraces everyone who has ever felt marginalized or underrepresented in fandom—whether because of race, gender, sexuality, or background.

“Our message may come from the Black space, but it speaks to everyone,” Hilton emphasizes. “When people recognize those common struggles for representation, the lines that divide us start to fade.”

BlerdCon is not just an event—it’s a movement. It’s about creating a welcoming environment where diverse voices are celebrated and cultural stories are shared through cosplay, panels, gaming, art, and performance.

What to Expect at BlerdCon?

Unlike traditional conventions that may focus primarily on celebrity guests or product showcases, BlerdCon takes a community-first approach. Every detail—from programming to food—is designed to reflect diversity and inclusion.

Here’s a snapshot of what attendees can expect at BlerdCon:

• 🎤 150+ panels and workshops led by fans, creators, and industry professionals.

• 🎮 Gaming tournaments spanning video games, tabletop adventures, and trading card competitions.

• 🎶 Live performances and after-parties that celebrate music, dance, and culture.

• 🍴 The nation’s largest food truck rally attached to a convention, offering flavors as diverse as the attendees themselves.

• ⭐ Celebrity guest appearances from actors, writers, and influencers across multiple fandoms.

Hilton likes to describe BlerdCon as the “Love Boat” of conventions: 

“When you come, surrender your whole weekend. We’ll take care of you—we’ve got everything you need.”

Why Veterans Thrive in Geek Culture

Part of what makes BlerdCon unique is how seamlessly it integrates the veteran community into its identity. Veterans bring discipline, leadership, and creativity to fandom in ways that often go unrecognized. Many turn to geek culture as a way to reconnect with themselves after service.

Hilton believes these spaces offer more than just fun—they provide healing and visibility. “Veterans don’t always talk about their service first,” he says. “But when they feel comfortable expressing themselves in cosplay or gaming, they’re able to reclaim a part of themselves.”

BlerdCon provides that platform and encourages veterans to take up space—not as outsiders, but as vital contributors to geek culture.

Final Thoughts

From Army barracks to convention halls, Hilton George’s journey proves that veterans carry their leadership and resilience wherever they go. Through BlerdCon, he’s not only celebrating Black nerd culture but also weaving veterans, LGBTQ+ fans, immigrants, and countless others into a shared community of creativity and belonging.

✨ Don’t just attend—be part of the movement. The next BlerdCon is your chance to immerse yourself in a one-of-a-kind weekend where cosplay meets culture, fandom meets family, and connections last far beyond the convention floor. Secure your tickets, book your stay, and get ready to experience the celebration everyone will be talking about.

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