Drive Launched For East Austin Kids To See 'Black Panther'

EAST AUSTIN, TX — A pair of nonprofit groups are raising money to send East Austin youth on a field trip of sorts to watch the Black Panther superhero movie now in theaters.

The film from Marvel Studios has galvanized audiences in minority segments of the population in particular given its black protagonist and largely all-black cast. More than just a diversion, the movie has proved empowering for youth unaccustomed to seeing a black actor in a leading heroic role on the big screen.

CNN was unable to contain its own excitement over the film's inspirational attributes in stating that "Black Panther is for film what Barack Obama was for the presidency."

Now, the Austin Urban League Young Professionals and The Boys and Girls Club of East Austin are working to get local kids to the theater to see a “superhero they’ve never seen before,” officials wrote in an email. To that end, officials YouCaring page as a fundraiser to send kids en masse to see the film.

At last check, the crowdsourcing campaign had raised $1,572 of a $2,000 goal.

"Dynamic, powerful, intelligent, and masters of technology," officials wrote in their email alerting Patch to the drive. "Are we talking about a superhero? Nope, just the kids of the Boys and Girls Club we will take to see 'Black Panther.' "

While the film isn't the first portrayal of a swashbuckling black superhero on celluloid — Blade, Catwoman, Hancock or Meteor Man anyone? — its high production values from the Disney and Marvel Studios movie-magic-making factory has set the film apart. It's transcended mere entertainment status into a touchstone of inspiration among black youth in particular.

That excitement is being seen at the box office. According to Deadline, the Disney/Marvel’s Black Panther flick is headed to a historic weekend with more than $200 million in receipts over the course of just four days. The Black Panther movie was expected to reap $72 million dollars in ticket sales on Friday, Feb. 16 alone, according to the entertainment news site.

If you'd like to help send East Austin kids to see the inspirational film, click here.

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