I saw this article circulating on Facebook just a couple of days ago and was really excited to share with my blogging community. Amalgam Comics & Coffeehouse made waves in 2015 when Ariell Johnson became the first African-American woman to open a comic book store on the East Coast. And Johnson’s making waves again with a $50,000 Knight Foundation grant awarded to the store to create Amalagm University a place “where hopeful writers and illustrators can take classes on drawing, writing, pitching and publishing.”
Johnson not only stocks the usuals in her comic book shop, but also focuses on providing a wide variety of materials including diverse authors and illustrators as well as material provided by independent authors. Johnson wants to be able to provide upcoming authors and illustrators access to education that they may not be able to afford otherwise.
What’s more? Amalgam Comics & Coffeehouse is in Philadelphia – my own backyard! I’m not a HUGE comic book fan, but I’m definitely going to make a trip to North Philly to check out this store and grab some comics for myself!
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