The Black Zine Fair presents...

Black Autistic Joy: Mini Zine-Making Workshop

In “Autistic Joy,” Jen White-Johnson “empowers and encourages Black Neurodivergent caregivers, families, and communities to engage in conversations about acceptance, justice, and Black Disabled joy, starting with how Black neurodivergent communities are treated, valued, and seen.” ⁠ Join us for an interactive zine-making workshop led by neurodivergent collage artist and designer Jen White-Johnson. The zine-making workshop will center on black disabled joy and futures informed by disability justice and the Black feminist disability framework. This workshop is catered to neurodivergent families, kids, teens, and adults.

Meet the workshop facilitator

Jen White-Johnson (she/they) is an Afro-Latina disabled and neurodivergent art activist, designer, and educator whose visual work explores the intersection of content and caregiving, emphasizing redesigning ableist visual culture. Jen has presented her disability justice activist work and collaborated with brands and art spaces across print and digital media, such as Coachella and Adobe. Jen’s work is also permanently archived at The Metropolitan Museum of Art and the National African American Museum of History and Culture in DC. Jen has an MFA in Graphic Design from the Maryland Institute College of Art, where she currently teaches design. She currently lives in Baltimore, MD with her husband and 11-year-old son, Knox.

Make a donation

The Black Zine Fair is free and open to the public, although donations are appreciated. We suggest a donation between $5-20 depending on your financial ability. We encourage established professionals and people with intergenerational wealth/savings to consider donating more or becoming sustaining members.

The fair is organized by Sojourners for Justice Press co-directors Neta Bomani and Mariame Kaba. We’re committed to creating a free platform for Black zine makers who otherwise wouldn’t have access to zine/art/book fairs and festivals. We rely primarily on individual donors to fund and sustain our work. Thank you for your support!

Safety precautions for airborne viruses

The Black Zine Fair is a masked fair. All event attendees, exhibitors, workshop facilitators, and staff are expected to wear a high quality KN95 or N95 mask at all times inside the venue to protect each other from airborne viruses. Masks will be provided. We expect you to test regularly/serially leading up until the event. If you test positive or have any symptoms, we ask that you refrain from attending the fair.

Accessibility information

Powerhouse Arts, the venue where the Black Zine Fair takes place, is fully accessible for wheelchair users. Restrooms are gender neutral and ADA compliant. A sound-proof quiet room is available.

Community agreement

All event attendees, exhibitors, workshop facilitators, and staff agree to follow the community agreement.

Learn more

The Black Zine Fair is a celebration of all things Black and independent publishing in New York City! We invite Black exhibitors and educators to gather, trade or sell zines, and exchange knowledge surrounding zine-making, publishing, and do-it-yourself culture. The fair takes place virtually and in-person from April 13 to May 11. Visit our website and instagram to learn more.