Celebrating Black Panther

The Power of Black Panther

Every Marvel movie, from the instantly recognizable Thor to the lesser-known Ant-Man, is billed as a must-see event, with fans turn opening weekend into a mini-comic book convention.

But from the moment it was announced, Black Panther was unlike anything Hollywood had seen. Before he filmed even one frame of footage, director Ryan Coogler made history by assembling a predominately black cast and crew to bring the world of Wakanda to life. His decision, coupled with Chadwick Boseman’s scene-stealing appearance as T’Challa in Captain America: Civil War, turned Black Panther’s highly anticipated debut into an once-in-a-lifetime event.

This clip from the TV news program Inside Edition, which captured one classroom’s excitement over learning they’d be going to see Black Panther, is indicative of just how excited kids around the country were.

It’s easy to see why Black Panther crossed the $1 billion mark in just four weeks. From its bold, Afrofuture-inspired costuming to its depiction of the thriving state of Wakanda, Black Panther re-wrote the template of what a superhero movie can – and should – look like.

It’s incredibly important for young kids, especially black and minority children, to see themselves reflected in the movies and TV shows they watch. From characters like the tech-savvy Shuri to the loyal Okoye, leader of the all-female Dora Milaje warriors, the movie is filled with empowering, positive role models that let kids see themselves in a whole new way. When films like Black Panther expand the imagination and ambition of an entire generation, that’s something truly special.