Arts & Entertainment
Free 'Black Panther' Screening Puts Smiles On Faces Of Newark Students
Nearly 250 students, parents and mentors were treated to a private showing of Marvel's latest blockbuster, "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever."
NEWARK, NJ — The rallying cry of “Wakanda Forever” sounded loud in Newark last week, when nearly 250 students, parents, school workers and mentors were treated to a free, private screening of Marvel’s latest blockbuster.
In all, middle and high school students from more than 16 Newark schools were represented at the screening of “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” which took place Friday at the CityPlex Theater. See photos in the above gallery.
The event was organized by local nonprofits SHE Wins Inc., which aims to create a “pipeline of college, career and community-ready young women leaders” in the city, and Clinton Hill Community Action (CHCA), a community development organization that helps with revitalization efforts in the Clinton Hill neighborhood of Newark’s South Ward.
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“Now more than ever, it is important for our young people to see positive and powerful images of themselves on the big screen,” SHE Wins CEO and founder A’Dorian Murray-Thomas said.
Murray-Thomas – who also serves on the Newark Board of Education – said she and Khaatim Sherrer El, the executive director of Clinton Hill Action, spoke to the audience before the film to capture the significance of the moment.
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“As a community, we must continue to amplify stories for us and by us,” Murray-Thomas said.

NEWARK CELEBRATES BLACK PANTHER
SHE Wins and the CHCA aren’t the only ones in Newark using the power of Wakanda to connect with their neighbors.
On Monday, the Newark Police Department’s 7th Precinct and local officials including Newark Public Safety Director Fritz Fragé, Chief of Police Emanuel Miranda and City Council member C. Lawrence Crump joined community members for a sensory-friendly screening of the Black Panther sequel at Citypex12 on Springfield Avenue.
The event – held for children with special needs – won a youth community service contest offered by the Newark Police Foundation, officials said.
- See related article: NJ Native Explores Diversity Of Newark In His New Comic Book
- See related article: Huge Movie Studio Coming To Newark; 600 Jobs Expected, NJ Gov. Says
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