4 Black Panther Challenge Campaigns To Benefit Baltimore Students

BALTIMORE, MD — This weekend, millions of people will be transported to the fictional land of Wakanda when "Black Panther," the latest Marvel superhero movie, hits theaters. Hundreds of Baltimore students will be watching, thanks to donations through GoFundMe campaigns set up by leaders around the city.

"Black Panther" is the first film in the wildly popular Marvel franchise to feature a black main character and consists of a largely black cast, as well as having a black director (Ryan Coogler). As such, it has spurred conversations about the importance of minority representation in television and film, with individuals and groups working to make sure as many minority children as possible see it.

A New York man started a nationwide movement called the "Black Panther Challenge," which aims to get as many young black people to see the movie as possible by challenging community leaders to raise money to get youths to theaters. More than 400 GoFundMe campaigns nationwide have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars as part of the Black Panther Challenge.

Here are some of the initiatives set up by those who would like to take Baltimore kids to see the film:

• Govans Elementary School: The goal is to raise $1,000; as of Friday morning, $226 had been donated.
• Inge Benevolent Ministries and Souls In Harmony: This campaign will enable at least 350 inner city students to see the movie and have a snack and transportation. The goal is to raise $4,500; as of Friday morning, $141 had been donated.
• Maryland Marketing and Branding: This public relations firm aims to send 100 Baltimore youths to a private screening of the film, with travel and concessions included. The goal is to raise $2,000; as of Friday morning, $300 has been donated.
• Wide Angle Youth Media: A staffer with this nonprofit started a campaign independently of the organization because she wanted to take her students to the movie for her Feb. 17 birthday. Afterward, they will return to the Wide Angle Youth Media headquarters on North Howard Street to discuss the film. The organization empowers youth to tell their stories. Any leftover funds will go toward hiring a student part-time. The goal is to raise $2,400; as of Friday morning, $961 had been donated.

The Movie

Set in the fictional African nation of Wakanda, "Black Panther" is the story of T'Challa (Chadwick Boseman) who returns to the isolated but technologically advanced country to take the throne after the death of his father, the king.

Other stars include Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong'o, Danai Gurira, Denzel Washington, Forrest Whitaker and Andy Serkis. The movie was filmed largely in the Atlanta area.

Black Panther was born in the 1960s, created by comic book legends Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. Black Panther — real name: T'Challa — is the king of an African nation in addition to being a superhero. He made his first appearance in an issue of Fantastic Four in 1966, but later joined the superhero team, The Avengers. Black Panther was the first representation of a black superhero in mainstream comic books, and the first one with actual super powers.

The Enoch Pratt Free Library has put together a reading list for those interested in Black Panther.

By Doug Gross, Neal McNamara and Elizabeth Janney

Image via GoFundMe.

Go Fund Me is a Patch promotional partner.