Amalgam Comics & Coffeehouse, A Black Woman-Owned comic book store in Philadelphia

[Neuromancer]

Comic Book Store Owner Ariell Johnson Just Got $50K To Help Make Comics More Diverse


Comic Book Store Owner Ariell Johnson Just Got $50K To Help Make Comics More Diverse
Johnson plans to use the money to create courses for those than want to break into comics.

Blavity Team
under a min
• a day ago

Black girl comic book lovers, get into formation!

Meet Ariell Johnson, a Philly resident and owner of Amalgam Comics & Coffeehouse, a uniquely spacious yet cozy comic book store and coffee bar. True to its name, Johnson’s goal for the comic book shop is to reach an “amalgamation” of audiences.

Well, it looks like she’ll be getting that chance!

Philly.com reports that the Knight Foundation has chosen Johnson out of more than 4,500 applicants to receive their $50,000 grant!

Her proposal, “Up, Up And Away: Building a Programming Space at Amalgam Comics & Coffeehouse," outlined how Johnson would use the grant to build an educational program to help aspiring comic creators to learn about drawing, writing, pitching and publishing. With this grant, Johnson will be able to further her reach in big ways.

“We do a lot of these programs in our space,” Johnson said, These include children’s workshops. “But the building is actually much bigger. There are rooms behind the bathroom, which we haven’t renovated. This grant will allow us to open up those rooms to the public and create a permanent programming space. We’ll use it to its full potential.”

When she opened her store in December 2015, Johnson became the first African American woman to own a comic book shop on the East Coast.

In just 18 short months, Johnson’s store has already had a great impact on the community.

“I actually found out about the grant from a customer named Annie,” said Johnson. “She and her husband had recently moved here. They came in, introduced themselves and encouraged me to apply. Apparently, Amalgam was one of the reasons they moved to the neighborhood.”

And Johnson doesn’t let the inclusiveness stop with her mere presence; she's made it a point to stock works written by people of color, women and LGBT community members. She also showcases a lot of independent work in the store.

With this grant, ohnson hopes that she will be able to have an even greater impact on the community, and that she will be able to empower people to create more inclusive comics.

Congratulations to her, and we can't wait to see what courses she'll have on offer!

Dope.

 

[Norrin Radd]

Comic Book Store Owner Ariell Johnson Just Got $50K To Help Make Comics More Diverse


Comic Book Store Owner Ariell Johnson Just Got $50K To Help Make Comics More Diverse
Johnson plans to use the money to create courses for those than want to break into comics.

Blavity Team
under a min
• a day ago

Black girl comic book lovers, get into formation!

Meet Ariell Johnson, a Philly resident and owner of Amalgam Comics & Coffeehouse, a uniquely spacious yet cozy comic book store and coffee bar. True to its name, Johnson’s goal for the comic book shop is to reach an “amalgamation” of audiences.

Well, it looks like she’ll be getting that chance!

Philly.com reports that the Knight Foundation has chosen Johnson out of more than 4,500 applicants to receive their $50,000 grant!

Her proposal, “Up, Up And Away: Building a Programming Space at Amalgam Comics & Coffeehouse," outlined how Johnson would use the grant to build an educational program to help aspiring comic creators to learn about drawing, writing, pitching and publishing. With this grant, Johnson will be able to further her reach in big ways.

“We do a lot of these programs in our space,” Johnson said, These include children’s workshops. “But the building is actually much bigger. There are rooms behind the bathroom, which we haven’t renovated. This grant will allow us to open up those rooms to the public and create a permanent programming space. We’ll use it to its full potential.”

When she opened her store in December 2015, Johnson became the first African American woman to own a comic book shop on the East Coast.

In just 18 short months, Johnson’s store has already had a great impact on the community.

“I actually found out about the grant from a customer named Annie,” said Johnson. “She and her husband had recently moved here. They came in, introduced themselves and encouraged me to apply. Apparently, Amalgam was one of the reasons they moved to the neighborhood.”

And Johnson doesn’t let the inclusiveness stop with her mere presence; she's made it a point to stock works written by people of color, women and LGBT community members. She also showcases a lot of independent work in the store.

With this grant, ohnson hopes that she will be able to have an even greater impact on the community, and that she will be able to empower people to create more inclusive comics.

Congratulations to her, and we can't wait to see what courses she'll have on offer!

What a win

 

[Responsible Allen Iverson]

Important Operations Update

mailchi.mp

Greetings all,

After serving the nerd community in Philly and beyond for almost seven years, Amalgam Comics & Coffeehouse will be closing its doors this fall.

The cumulative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic dealt a serious blow to the business and, despite our best efforts to fight our way back, I must come to terms with our current reality. Amalgam is the kind of place I wished for when I was younger. It was built with intention and love – in the hope of providing fellow nerds with the kind of place I never had. I hope the energy that I poured into Amalgam was felt by everyone that ever walked through our TARDIS door.

I have learned so much in my time steering this ship. In our short lifespan, my team and I managed to do so many incredible things. Giants walked among us here – icons like the late Congressman John Lewis, musical legends like DMC, great thinkers like Ta-Nehisi Coates, talented goddesses like Yetide Badaki and Philly royalty like Ursula Rucker. We strived to be a space for independent creators, writers, artists, filmmakers, musicians, performers, and makers of all kinds – to support them as they enrich our artistic and cultural life.

While I am sad that it is time to go, I am nothing other than proud of this thing that Shirrell and Henry’s daughter built. I dreamt Amalgam, and through much hard work and sacrifice brought it to life. I had the job of my dreams, and I know I have been blessed.

Thank you to those in my personal village who showed up in every way possible to support this dream. Thank you for your talent, time and sacrifices that helped to ensure and sustain
Amalgam's existence.

Thank you to all of our community partners. We’re greater together, and I’ve learned that first hand through the many partnerships and friendships that have been forged through the years. These folks continually breathed new life into our community building work, giving us new and exciting ways to gather and connect with one another. If you’ve ever had the pleasure of checking out Nerdy by Nature, Drink n’ Draw, Vinyl Tap or Amalgam’s Monthly Book Club you know exactly what I mean. Thank you all for building with me.

And special thanks to my team, past and present, for holding it down over all these years.
Every member of my team brought unique gifts and bright personalities that meshed and
blended to create this warm and inviting space. You are all my Keepers of the Vibe.

Lastly, on behalf of myself and the Amalgam Team, thank you to each and every one of you in the AmalgaNation for your patronage and support: every purchase, donation, share, like, and especially every conversation. Please stop in to say goodbye and grab some final reads from us. Our anticipated last day of operations will be Saturday, October 15, 2022.

I wholeheartedly believe in Amalgam, even in the midst of this setback. Amalgam has been a blessing and safe space for so many people, myself especially. If the opportunity arises, I hope to bring it back because I believe spaces like Amalgam need to exist; spaces of joy and renewal, spaces of community and rest. A sincere thanks to all of you for your love and support in all of its many forms.

If you are a subscriber with us or if you have an upcoming event being hosted at or in partnership with Amalgam, we will be reaching out to you directly. We appreciate your patience as we work to contact everyone.

With sincere thanks,
Ariell aka Head Nerd in Charge

“We’re in the endgame now.” -Doctor Strange #AmalgamEndgame

 

[humminbird]

Important Operations Update

mailchi.mp

Greetings all,

After serving the nerd community in Philly and beyond for almost seven years, Amalgam Comics & Coffeehouse will be closing its doors this fall.

The cumulative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic dealt a serious blow to the business and, despite our best efforts to fight our way back, I must come to terms with our current reality. Amalgam is the kind of place I wished for when I was younger. It was built with intention and love – in the hope of providing fellow nerds with the kind of place I never had. I hope the energy that I poured into Amalgam was felt by everyone that ever walked through our TARDIS door.

I have learned so much in my time steering this ship. In our short lifespan, my team and I managed to do so many incredible things. Giants walked among us here – icons like the late Congressman John Lewis, musical legends like DMC, great thinkers like Ta-Nehisi Coates, talented goddesses like Yetide Badaki and Philly royalty like Ursula Rucker. We strived to be a space for independent creators, writers, artists, filmmakers, musicians, performers, and makers of all kinds – to support them as they enrich our artistic and cultural life.

While I am sad that it is time to go, I am nothing other than proud of this thing that Shirrell and Henry’s daughter built. I dreamt Amalgam, and through much hard work and sacrifice brought it to life. I had the job of my dreams, and I know I have been blessed.

Thank you to those in my personal village who showed up in every way possible to support this dream. Thank you for your talent, time and sacrifices that helped to ensure and sustain
Amalgam's existence.

Thank you to all of our community partners. We’re greater together, and I’ve learned that first hand through the many partnerships and friendships that have been forged through the years. These folks continually breathed new life into our community building work, giving us new and exciting ways to gather and connect with one another. If you’ve ever had the pleasure of checking out Nerdy by Nature, Drink n’ Draw, Vinyl Tap or Amalgam’s Monthly Book Club you know exactly what I mean. Thank you all for building with me.

And special thanks to my team, past and present, for holding it down over all these years.
Every member of my team brought unique gifts and bright personalities that meshed and
blended to create this warm and inviting space. You are all my Keepers of the Vibe.

Lastly, on behalf of myself and the Amalgam Team, thank you to each and every one of you in the AmalgaNation for your patronage and support: every purchase, donation, share, like, and especially every conversation. Please stop in to say goodbye and grab some final reads from us. Our anticipated last day of operations will be Saturday, October 15, 2022.

I wholeheartedly believe in Amalgam, even in the midst of this setback. Amalgam has been a blessing and safe space for so many people, myself especially. If the opportunity arises, I hope to bring it back because I believe spaces like Amalgam need to exist; spaces of joy and renewal, spaces of community and rest. A sincere thanks to all of you for your love and support in all of its many forms.

If you are a subscriber with us or if you have an upcoming event being hosted at or in partnership with Amalgam, we will be reaching out to you directly. We appreciate your patience as we work to contact everyone.

With sincere thanks,
Ariell aka Head Nerd in Charge

“We’re in the endgame now.” -Doctor Strange #AmalgamEndgame

damn i'm sorry to hear that

 

[nieman]

Important Operations Update

mailchi.mp

Greetings all,

After serving the nerd community in Philly and beyond for almost seven years, Amalgam Comics & Coffeehouse will be closing its doors this fall.

The cumulative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic dealt a serious blow to the business and, despite our best efforts to fight our way back, I must come to terms with our current reality. Amalgam is the kind of place I wished for when I was younger. It was built with intention and love – in the hope of providing fellow nerds with the kind of place I never had. I hope the energy that I poured into Amalgam was felt by everyone that ever walked through our TARDIS door.

I have learned so much in my time steering this ship. In our short lifespan, my team and I managed to do so many incredible things. Giants walked among us here – icons like the late Congressman John Lewis, musical legends like DMC, great thinkers like Ta-Nehisi Coates, talented goddesses like Yetide Badaki and Philly royalty like Ursula Rucker. We strived to be a space for independent creators, writers, artists, filmmakers, musicians, performers, and makers of all kinds – to support them as they enrich our artistic and cultural life.

While I am sad that it is time to go, I am nothing other than proud of this thing that Shirrell and Henry’s daughter built. I dreamt Amalgam, and through much hard work and sacrifice brought it to life. I had the job of my dreams, and I know I have been blessed.

Thank you to those in my personal village who showed up in every way possible to support this dream. Thank you for your talent, time and sacrifices that helped to ensure and sustain
Amalgam's existence.

Thank you to all of our community partners. We’re greater together, and I’ve learned that first hand through the many partnerships and friendships that have been forged through the years. These folks continually breathed new life into our community building work, giving us new and exciting ways to gather and connect with one another. If you’ve ever had the pleasure of checking out Nerdy by Nature, Drink n’ Draw, Vinyl Tap or Amalgam’s Monthly Book Club you know exactly what I mean. Thank you all for building with me.

And special thanks to my team, past and present, for holding it down over all these years.
Every member of my team brought unique gifts and bright personalities that meshed and
blended to create this warm and inviting space. You are all my Keepers of the Vibe.

Lastly, on behalf of myself and the Amalgam Team, thank you to each and every one of you in the AmalgaNation for your patronage and support: every purchase, donation, share, like, and especially every conversation. Please stop in to say goodbye and grab some final reads from us. Our anticipated last day of operations will be Saturday, October 15, 2022.

I wholeheartedly believe in Amalgam, even in the midst of this setback. Amalgam has been a blessing and safe space for so many people, myself especially. If the opportunity arises, I hope to bring it back because I believe spaces like Amalgam need to exist; spaces of joy and renewal, spaces of community and rest. A sincere thanks to all of you for your love and support in all of its many forms.

If you are a subscriber with us or if you have an upcoming event being hosted at or in partnership with Amalgam, we will be reaching out to you directly. We appreciate your patience as we work to contact everyone.

With sincere thanks,
Ariell aka Head Nerd in Charge

“We’re in the endgame now.” -Doctor Strange #AmalgamEndgame

This is so sad. I think I only went there 2x during the pandemic, but before that, I would go at least once a month. I was there a few weeks ago...then back today, after reading about this yesterday.

 

[Red Shield]

damn