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God damn, how do I describe King Kitsu? A true force within cosplay circles, this talented creative crushes armor builds from Voltron: Legendary Defender, experiments with extravagant body-paint projects, and produces larger-than-life ballroom gowns that would make Marie Antoinette drool. Their photoshoots are stunning and oh so cute, especially their group shoots with fellow cosplay enthusiasts. I have admired his work for sometime, and I was honored to be able to pick their brain a bit about how they feel about the community that they have carved out a significant fan base in. Please enjoy!

Black Nerd Problems: Please tell us a little bit about yourself! What makes you tick, what inspires you, what do you do for a living at the moment?

King Kitsu: Hello, my name is Kitsu. I have been cosplaying since 2012. I currently have a part time in retail, but I also do dress commissions and currently in pursuit of a dress making career. I’m mostly passionate in the challenges my cosplays bring me whether it be an intricate prop or detailing in a costume, and of course I’m passionate about the fun I have and bring while wearing my cosplays.

BNP: How has cosplay influenced your life?

KK: Since starting cosplay, it has not only given me confidence and patience, but it has also given me insight in my gender identity and moral values. I’ve learned limits and what I’m capable of along with self worth. I’ve learned about talents that I didn’t even think I could have and skills that I didn’t think I was capable of learning.

BNP: What are your specialties within crafting?

KK: Dress making, prop making, putting creative spins on cosplays, and working well under pressure and a short deadline…

BNP: What are some issues you wish to combat in the cosplay community?

KK: Racism, “blackfacing,” colorism, and “race versions of characters;” bullying, body-shaming, elitism, literally anything negative in the cosplay community. We all cosplay for our own reasons but also cosplay is supposed to be for fun, and we all need to be respectful and support each other.

BNP: Who is your favorite anime hero?

KK: Saitama from One Punch Man. He mostly minds his business unless it’s blown in his face and he’s broke but still likes to help people, and I’m about that life.

Follow along with Kitsu’s cosplay adventures on their Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook social media links below:

Facebook: @kingkitsu

Instagram: @kingkitsu

Twitter: @grandpakitsu

Cover image collage from L – R: (dtjaaaam, U.V. Photography, Marc.overcash)

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The post Interview with King Kitsu: Ballroom Gowns and Kingdom Keys appeared first on Black Nerd Problems.

It’s been two weeks since Trinidad Carnival took the world by storm with non-stop fetes and celebrity revelers. Even though we have plenty of other soca filled moments to indulge in this year, tabanca has definitely set in, and we are counting the minutes until we’re on the road again. But party-filled streets aren’t all there […]

The post Black Travel Moment Of The Day: This Woman Happily Swinging On The Beach in Tobago Will Make Your Monday appeared first on Essence.

After months of searching for the right director to take over their hit Guardians of the Galaxy franchise, Disney and Marvel have finally finally found the perfect fit– James Gunn. That’s right, he’s back! But what does this mean for the future of his Suicide Squad reboot with DC? Jessica breaks down all that and more in today’s Nerdist News!

The post James Gunn Back for GOTG 3 – What Does This Mean for Suicide Squad? appeared first on Nerdist.

You’ve been on point with your workout routing. You’ve been prepping your own healthy lunches and dinners. You are all set to lose those extra pounds gained this winter. Then, you get invited to a business lunch (or dinner, or networking event). You don’t want to be that person who everyone at the table side-eyes for asking too many questions about how a dish is prepared, and you don’t want to make your fellow diners feel awkward by eating too little Here are three tips to make a business lunch healthy.

How to Have a Healthy Business Lunch

Cut Down on the Liquor

Studies have linked moderate consumption of alcoholic drinks–especially mixed cocktails–to weight gain. Most of this is due to the calorie content of sugary mixes and juices added to cocktails. For example, one margarita can have more than 150 calories, compared with a white wine spritzer, which has less than 100.

If you just can’t get through that lunch or dinner without a stronger spirit, experts recommend nixing the chasers altogether and going with a top-shelf option on the rocks. For example, an ounce of 80-proof vodka, gin, rum, or scotch contains 64 calories and the same amount in 100 proof varieties has 80 calories. The average neat cocktail contains 1.5 ounces of liquor, so you’re still keeping the calories lower than if you’d gotten that Bloody Mary or Long Island Iced Tea.

Look Up Menu Options and Plan Ahead

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics recommends researching the meal options at restaurants and checking online menus if available for nutrition information before a business lunch. If you’re being invited to a business dinner or lunch, request a particular restaurant that has a diversity of healthy options.

If you’re at a conference, nutrition buffs recommend skipping the donuts and muffins and going for fresh fruit or juices. You can also ask if vegetarian or non-meat options are available.

If All Else Fails, Doggy-bag Half Your Meal

We know; this can seem like an obnoxious and annoying request, but some restaurants will oblige a request for a doggy-bag. If you can discretely ask a server to take half your meal from the start and put it aside for taking home, do it. If that’s not a possibility–or you just cringe at the thought–the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics suggests visualizing how your portion should be and eating accordingly.

The post 3 Healthy Business Lunch Ideas appeared first on Black Enterprise.