Women’s History Month is a celebration of ladies from all walks of life, so it was only right for us to do a special “BLERD ALERT!” shoutout in tribute to all the Black girls out there carving out a lane in nerd culture. Recently, we saw GRAMMY-nominated singer/actress Janelle Monaé embrace her inner blerd during BlerDCon 2025 in Washington, D.C., where she debuted a new graphic novel inspired by the 15th anniversary of her 2010 debut album, The ArchAndroid.
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While lucky attendees of her panel were able to receive advanced copies of The ArchAndroid: Chapter 1, reviews have yet to surface leaving much mystery surrounding the plot. However, given the Afrofuturism and overall sci-fi inspo heard on its preceding companion album, many are convinced it will be revisiting the “wondaland” of Cindi Mayweather and the many suites in her adventures through Metropolis. One thing we can see is that artwork will be fantastic, which Janelle made in collaboration with The ArchAndroid album producer Chuck Lighting and Emmy-winning art illustrator Chad Weatherford. Get a preview of what they worked up for the first issue below:
As we anticipate a wider release of The ArchAndroid: Chapter 1, it got us thinking of the many other Black women throughout pop culture history who also waved their geek flags for all to see. Gamer girls, comic book nerds, anime queens and the ones who simply carry their awkwardness on their sleeves — we love ’em all, and love to see it!
Take a look below at our Women’s History Month tribute to some of our favorite Black women in pop culture who never were afraid to get a little nerdy:
Issa Rae
Although a budding Hollywood siren now, Issa Rae’s introduction to the world was being the textbook millennial blerd in her web-series, Awkward Black Girl. We’ve been geeking out over her ever since.
Megan Thee Stallion
Being a GRAMMY-winning lyricist is impressive in itself, but Meg really won the hearts of fanboys everywhere with her genius-level knowledge of anime culture. The cosplay is a cherry on top.
Quinta Brunson
It’s still amazing to think of how far Quinta has come since her days of making us laugh on the internet by simply being “the girl who’s never been on a nice date.” Blerd girls everywhere could surely relate.
Lizzo
Whether she’s playing a flute, channeling Broadway for her latest single, “Love In Real Life,” or just dressing up for fun as a fairy, Lizzo has never shied away from sharing every geeky aspect of her eccentric personality.
Aisha Tyler
As a true OG in both Hollywood and the gaming community, the appeal isn’t hard to understand by a long shot.
Amandla Stenberg
As a near-decade approaches in anticipation for a final chapter in the Niobe graphic novel trilogy, preceded by the revered She Is Life and She Is Death, we can only hope Amandla and crew continue the momentum of an engaging story that may soon even materialize on HBO if the previously-announced Asunda series finally makes it out of development stages.
Jessica Williams
From Fantastic Beasts and 2 Dope Queens to the Entergalactic role as Kid Cudi’s animated love interest, the ever-comedic Jessica truly makes geek look chic.
Ayo Edebiri
Everything you love about renowned favorite actress Ayo Edebiri lies innately in her awkward nature. Whether in front of the camera or on a stage cracking jokes, it’s always her most noticeably endearing trait.
Chloe Bailey
Singing comes with the territory for Beyoncé-backed vocalist Chloe Bailey, but her well-documented affinity for LEGO-building is definitely a quirky bonus to her overall brand.
@chloebaileywashere you didn’t make this
#legos
Mica Burton
It truly runs in the family for cosplaying queen Mica Bunton, who trekked in the footsteps of her dad, LeVar Burton, by playing the daughter to his iconic Starfleet officer Geordi La Forge in the recent Picard sequel series.
N.K. Jemisin
Proudly carrying on the legacy of late blerd pioneer Octavia E. Butler, science fiction writer N.K. Jemisin is a master of the game. Fittingly enough, her actual MasterClass series proves it as well!
Laya DeLeon Hayes
A new age star in the world of Blerd girl magic, Laya DeLeon Hayes uses her voice to blaze a lane in the culture. Whether playing a Black female vampire hunter in the Buffy The Vampire Slayer audio series spinoff, Slayers: A Buffyverse Story, or winning huge at the 2023 BAFTA Game Awards for “Best Supporting Actress” in her role as Angraboda in the 2022 video game God of War: Ragnarök, she’s making some major noise out here.
Cree Summer
It’s mind-blowing to recount the many, many iconic cartoon characters portrayed by Cree Summers. Talk about the voice of a generation!
Debra Wilson
Long past the days of making us split with laughter as a cast member on MADtv, Debra Wilson has since transitioned into a level of individualism that makes it impossible to recreate her aura. Not to mention, she’s become a video game legend over multiple titles and gaming platforms.
Willow Smith
You don’t need to know that she’s an avid fan of sci-fi shows like Buffy The Vampire Slayer and Through The Wormhole, or at one point hosted underground Quantum Mechanics classes based around her love for STEM, to see the of blerd side of Willow Smith. However, you might be astonishingly surprised at how educated she is when it comes to articulating that side of her personality. The deep story in Black Shield Maiden, her 2024 novel inspired by Vikings and Norse mythology, does a good job at showcasing it.