NEWARK PREPARES FOR BRINGING TOGETHER FILM TELEVISION & POP CULTURE

By Mabel Pais

New Jersey gets ready for the inaugural Viewer Con!

It’s an all-day program on July 18, 2026, starting at 10 am.

It’s the inaugural entertainment and fandom experience, built for fans and powered by viewers, bringing together talent, creators, executives, and audiences for a day of panels, screenings, and cultural conversations featuring the cast of Power Book III: Raising Kanan, Joy Reid, Taye Diggs, Bevy Smith and more, culminating with the first fan screening of 50 Cent’s highly anticipated new STARZ drama Fightland.

This promises to be an unforgettable day celebrating the best of television, film and pop culture at the inaugural ViewerCon. One ticket gives attendees access to a full day of exclusive conversations, celebrity appearances, behind-the-scenes stories, special screenings and unforgettable experiences with the stars and creators behind some of today’s biggest shows and films.

This year’s lineup features Taye Diggs (“The Best Man,” “Stepfather”), Joy Reid in conversation with Mayor Ras J. Baraka on Newark’s rise as a destination for film, television and the creative economy, Karamo Brown (“Queer Eye,” “Karamo”), Bevy Smith (host of “In Bed with Bevy” and star of “Harlem”), KeiLyn Durrell Jones (Bill Bray in “Michael”) and Lamar Richardson, the three-time Tony Award-winning Broadway, film and television producer who made history as the youngest Black lead producer to win a Tony Award.

The Ultimate Raising Kanan Series Finale Panel, bringing together GRAMMY® and Tony Award winner Patina Miller (Raq), Mekai Curtis (Kanan), London Brown (Marvin), Leslie Grossman and series creator Sascha Penn, the visionary behind Raising Kanan and Power: Origins, for an exclusive conversation celebrating one of television’s most talked-about dramas.

As a special can’t-miss event, ViewerCon attendees will be among the first fans anywhere to experience a special screening of “Fightland,” the highly anticipated new STARZ series executive produced by 50 Cent and starring Howard Charles.

More than a convention, ViewerCon is where fans and the entertainment industry come together. Throughout the day, attendees will experience inspiring conversations, behind-the-scenes stories, networking opportunities, immersive activations and exclusive moments that celebrate the people and projects shaping the future of entertainment. This unique experience will be appreciated by a devoted TV fan, an aspiring filmmaker or creator, or simply by those who love great storytelling.

Schedule**

Doors open

10:00 AM – 10:30 AM
DJ Set • Networking • Seating

Unscripted with Joy Reid

10:30 AM – 11:00 AM
Featuring: Joy Reid
NBC News Entertainment Contributor and ViewerCon Founder Chris Witherspoon sits down with Joy Reid for an intimate conversation about her groundbreaking career, becoming the first Black woman to anchor a primetime cable news program, and the unconventional path that made her one of America’s most influential voices.

Hollywood East

11:00 AM – 11:25 AM
Featuring: Mayor Ras J. Baraka and Joy Reid
A conversation on Newark’s rise as one of America’s fastest-growing destinations for film, television, technology, and the creative economy.

Special Conversation

11:30 AM – 11:55 AM
Guest Announcement Coming Soon
An intimate conversation with one of today’s most exciting voices in entertainment, culture, business, or media. Additional details to be announced.

Bevy Smith: From Harlem to Hollywood

12:00 PM – 12:25 PM
Featuring: Bevy Smith
A candid conversation about reinvention, entrepreneurship, media, and building a career on your own terms.

The Future of Storytelling with Taye Diggs & MicroHouse Films

12:30 PM – 1:15 PM
Featuring: Taye Diggs, Troy Brookins, and Shelby Stone
From premium television and feature films to the rapidly growing world of microdramas, Taye Diggs and his MicroHouse Films partners discuss entrepreneurship, ownership, and why the next generation of entertainment belongs to creators willing to bet on themselves.

The Next Generation of Hollywood

Celebrating a new generation of actors redefining film and television.

1:20 PM – 1:40 PM
KeiLyn Durrell Jones
Actor, Michael, How to Die Alone

1:40 PM – 2:00 PM
Xavier Smalls
Actor, Beauty in Black, Madea’s Destination Wedding

The Art of Reinvention with Karamo Brown 

2:00 PM – 2:30 PM
Featuring: Karamo Brown
A conversation about hosting, producing, writing, entrepreneurship, and building an authentic personal brand.

Naturi Naughton: Building an Empire

2:40 PM – 3:10 PM
Featuring: Naturi Naughton
A conversation about ownership, entrepreneurship, and creating opportunities beyond acting.

Spotlight Conversation

3:15 PM – 3:45 PM
Special Guest (to be Announced Soon)
An intimate conversation with a special guest from the worlds of entertainment, media, sports, or culture.

STARZ Presents: Power Book III: Raising Kanan 

4:00 PM – 4:45 PM
Featuring: Patina Miller, Mekai Curtis, London Brown, Leslie Grossman, and Sascha Penn
A behind-the-scenes conversation celebrating the series finale, the legacy of the Power Universe, and what’s next.

Exclusive Advance Screening: STARZ’s Fightland

5:00 PM – 5:50 PM
Be among the first fans anywhere to experience STARZ’s highly anticipated new series before its official premiere.
Programming Note: Schedule, talent, and appearances are subject to change. Additional guests and special presentations will be announced in the coming weeks.
**Panelists and times are subject to change

Additional guests, programming and special surprises will be announced leading up to the event.

TICKETS AND VIP PASSES

For Tickets and VIP Passes for the ultimate ViewerCon experience, including access to the exclusive VIP Lounge and opportunities to connect with talent, creators, industry executives and fellow VIP guests, visit www.Ticketmaster.com.

VIEWERCON
ViewerCon is a first-of-its-kind entertainment and media festival bringing together fans, press, tastemakers, creators, and industry leaders for powerful conversations, exclusive screenings, immersive activations, and unforgettable cultural moments. Founded by Chris Witherspoon, CEO of PopViewers and NBC News Entertainment Contributor, in partnership with STARZ, ViewerCon celebrates the intersection of television, film, culture, and fandom through star-powered programming, behind-the-scenes insights, live experiences, and community-driven engagement that merge entertainment and community.

POPVIEWERS
PopViewers is a leading entertainment media platform and events company dedicated to connecting audiences with the television, film, and cultural conversations shaping what’s next. Founded by entertainment journalist and NBC News Entertainment Contributor Chris Witherspoon, PopViewers reaches millions of consumers through original editorial content, celebrity interviews, red carpet coverage, social media, live events, and industry conversations. Through its signature event series, Vibes & Views, and its flagship entertainment festival, ViewerCon, PopViewers creates unique opportunities for fans, creators, talent, executives, and brands to engage in meaningful dialogue around storytelling, culture, innovation, and the future of entertainment. With a growing footprint in Newark, New York, Los Angeles, and beyond, PopViewers is committed to building community through content while amplifying diverse voices and the stories that move audiences.

The New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC)

NJPAC, located in downtown Newark, New Jersey, is among the largest performing arts centers in the United States.  It is the artistic, cultural, educational and

civic center of New Jersey — where great performances and events enhance and transform lives every day.

As New Jersey’s anchor cultural institution, NJPAC brings diverse communities together, providing access to all and showcasing the state’s and the world’s best artists while acting as a leading catalyst in the revitalization of its home city.

Through its extensive Arts Education programs, NJPAC is shaping the next generation of artists and arts enthusiasts.  NJPAC has attracted more than 12 million visitors (including more than two million children) since opening its doors in 1997 and nurtures meaningful and lasting relationships with each of its constituents. Visit www.njpac.org for more information @njpac

Mabel Pais writes on The Arts and Entertainment, Education, Spirituality, Social Issues, Health and Wellness, Business, and Cuisine.

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