Check Out Jamal Purvis’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jamal Purvis

Hi Jamal , thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I started cosplaying back in 2020, I was always a fan all fandoms, anime, marvel, DC etc. I stumbled into cosplay on accident due to a random convention in my local area. I saw the AMAZING cosplays and wanted to be apart of this amazing community. Threw the years of cosplay I noticed the lack of representation, safe places and positive community that was much needed in the cosplay community.

In 2021, I started a co. Called Nerd.0 which sole purpose was to bring the positive aspect and create a safe place in which the cosplay community much needed. Through the years., my personal cosplays grew to the point where I have become recognized in the community and featured as a cosplay guest, cosplay judge, winning several awards and in many cosplay con feats

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
With any story there is never a smooth road, especially when your goal is to bring light to representation and positivity in the community. As a POC cosplayer we are always viewed as lesser than our counterparts but my goal has always been to shine in dark places. I push my peers everyday to be the ” best versions of themselves ‘ and to focus on the positive side of cosplay.
Even with creating a positive community, there’s individuals who bring there negativity into the group but the focus of positive is stronger than there individual goals.

Racism is always a factor in any aspect of life, but with anything I make sure we are stronger than any racist that may peek their head into our views.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m known for putting a African spin on my cosplays. One of my most known cosplays is the African Avatar. Where I blended my culture into the Avatar cosplay. I’m a strong believer in making cosplay your own and to cosplay your way. I’ve never been afraid to cosplay any character I deem fit that fits my character and will never allow anyone to tell me I cannot do something or cosplay a character.
Also, I’m known for pushing the representation agenda in the community.

Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
I will never be where I am without the support of my team at Nerd.0. the members and admin have been nothing but aspirations in this journey. There’s so many cosplayers that I look up to in this cosplay community such as Afrococoapuffs,CCthegeek, Venture_bros, Blakkvikiing, AryontheSticks, Classicmand, Certifiedcis. The list goes on and on.
They inspire me by continuing to be the focused and unbothered individuals they are and representing the POC community in a positive light.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sixth_raikage_6?igsh=cGV0aW02bXg0NGU3