Amalgam Comics owner Ariell Johnson in good hands with Allstate honor, diversity event

To celebrate Black History Month, Allstate is recognizing three modern-day superheroes in its second annual "Worth Telling" campaign. One of the individuals being honored this year is Philadelphia business owner Ariell Johnson, for the impact she and her store, Amalgam Comics & Coffeehouse, are making in Philadelphia's comic book community and beyond.

Johnson opened Amalgam on Frankford Ave. near Kensington to act as an "inclusive geek space" for Philly residents and visitors. Since opening the first-ever black-owned comic bookstore on the east coast, Johnson has been drawn on the cover of Marvel's's Invincible Iron Man, and she hopes to inspire other comic book creators to give all fans representation by drawing African Americans and women as the heroes and heroines of their stories.

To celebrate Johnson, Allstate will share her story on social media and host a superhero-inspired event at Amalgam Comics on Friday, Feb. 24 at noon, where the public is encouraged to dress up as a superhero and attend a 30-minute panel about the importance of diversity, inclusion and representation in the comic book universe.

Panelists will include Johnson and other comic book influencers including Maurice Waters (president of BlackSci-Fi.com), Philly.com/geek contributor Len Webb (Bat Tribble from Black Tribbles Podcast) and Karama Horne (@TheBlerdGurl). Other activities such as costume contests and face painting will be offered on-site to make this event fun for the whole family!

More info on the "Worth Telling" campaign can be found www.Allstate.com/WorthTelling.