Hip Hop, Comics, and Community: Reviving ColaCon with Illustrator Sanford Greene

How did hip hop culture force the comic book industry to adapt? In this educational episode of The Preach Jacobs Podcast, we sit down with world-renowned illustrator and Eisner Award winner Sanford Greene. Best known for the culturally landmark series Bitter Root and his extensive work with Marvel, Sanford joins the show to break down the deep, historical connection between the beats of hip hop and the panels of a comic book.We dive into the creative process behind Sanford’s most iconic works, exploring how history and nostalgia fuel modern storytelling. Sanford also shares details on the revival of ColaCon, a community-driven initiative that celebrates art, culture, and grassroots engagement. Whether you’re a fan of indie comics, a hip hop enthusiast, or a creator looking to build projects with a soul, this conversation offers a masterclass in artistic resilience and cultural fusion.Key Takeaways from This Episode:The Evolution of the Industry: Why the comic world finally had to embrace hip hop culture.Bitter Root’s Impact: Exploring themes of family, history, and resilience in storytelling.Community & ColaCon: How community-driven projects like Kola Khan are shaping the future of Comic Cons.The Creative Hustle: Insights into Sanford’s collaborations with Marvel and other global brands.Sanford Greene | InstagramPreach Jacobs | InstagramDonate to Bring Cola-Con Back 2026🎟️ Get tickets to SoulHAUS Sessions at kogercenterforthearts.com🎶 Intro song: “Fantastic” by Preach Jacobs, from the album Frances → Listen hereIf you like what you here, check out other great pods on the BIG Media LLC Podcast Network!Barrett and Zac host The All About Nothing: Podcast, discussing everything from news and politics to entertainment and sports! All About Nothing, but All About Something too!Zac and Barrett host What The Pod Was That with Cari Simmons, available everywhere you listen to podcasts.Take a deep dive down the rabbit hole with Amii on the pod Welcome to Wonder Land.Check out Black White and Blue In the South, With Dr. Jamelle Brooks and Bill Kimler!Politically Speaking with Erica Sampson, Kirsten Pruitt, and Emily Mayer is a sharp, engaging podcast breaking down politics with insight, wit, and a fresh perspective.All of these fantastic podcasts can be found on the BIG Media LLC Podcast Network!FAIR USE COPYRIGHT NOTICE The Copyright Laws of the United States recognize a "fair use" of copyrighted content. Section 107 of the U.S. Copyright Act states:NOTWITHSTANDING THE PROVISIONS OF SECTIONS 106 AND 106A, THE FAIR USE OF A COPYRIGHTED WORK, INCLUDING SUCH USE BY REPRODUCTION IN COPIES OR PHONO RECORDS OR BY ANY OTHER MEANS SPECIFIED BY THAT SECTION, FOR PURPOSES SUCH AS CRITICISM, COMMENT, NEWS REPORTING, TEACHING (INCLUDING MULTIPLE COPIES FOR CLASSROOM USE), SCHOLARSHIP, OR RESEARCH, IS NOT AN INFRINGEMENT OF COPYRIGHT.This Video/Audio in general may contain certain copyrighted works that were not specifically authorized to be used by the copyright holder(s), but which we believe in good faith are protected by federal law and the fair use doctrine for one or more of the reasons noted above. If you have any specific concerns about this usage, or our position on the Fair Use Defense, please contact us at [email protected] so we can discuss amicably.Thank you.Mentioned in this episode:BIG Media