#BlackPantherChallenge San Antonio

*The Black Panther Challenge in San Antonio* Let's send 100 youth to experience the Black Panther Movie Now that the national premier of Black Panther has descended many local theaters are gearing up for opening night. In San Antonio and several other cities organizers are having private screenings of Black Panther to incorporate themes of the movie, African culture and even African Fantasy inspirations from Coming to America. Many organizers are setting up the event as both a fun cultural event and potentially profitable venture. One event campaign stood out among these. #BlackPantherChallenge Started by Frederick Joseph in New York, the challenge was to gather funds via GoFundMe to send 300 hundred underprivileged youth to see Black Panther Screenings. It has ballooned and has gathered notoriety from the stars of the movie itself to Ellen DeGeneres. Why the challenge? Representation. Having a person of color starring in a film of this scale with an ensemble cast of characters represented by people of color as unique individuals not relegated to movie cliché roles will have a tidal impact culturally. Kevin Greviox, creator of the Underworld movie franchise quoted in an interview with thegrio.com that the lack of black people creating sci-fi projects, comes from “a pragmatism facing the dreams of black youth… and depends on what fits within a frame of reference." To inspire the next great creators, we must show them where sky is before they can find the limit. As reviews have started pouring in this movie is shaping to be the cultural phenomenon it has been building up to. In many reviews, it has exceeded expectations. A question was posed, why should this only be happening in New York? Why not every city? Why not our city? There are youth that will not have the opportunity to experience this event on the large screen with big sound, sitting among friends and kids like themselves. Watching wide eyed at what one day they could achieve; a movie marvel or their own Wakanda. Mr. Joseph partnered with an organization associated with his local Boys and Girls club, The Harlem Children’s Zone. We are partnering with the Boys & Girls Club of San Antonio (Eastside Branch) to identify 100 youth for an initial screening of Black Panther. Not solely the movie viewing, but an event comparable to the multiple private screenings happening in our city. Food, prizes, a possible red/purple carpet walk, personal photo ops and a potential short preshow. Working with an organization like the boys and girls club we would have official staff on hand to chaperone for the events. Date: February 24th, 2018 @9am With any potential added screenings happening on the following Saturdays. Where: Alamo Drafthouse (Park North location) Budget: At this time rental and popcorn package for the event is currently $780. This rate includes the donation of the screening from Alamo Drafthouse. Additional expenses will be associated with procurement of experience materials. *Itemized listing will be provided in updates.* Potential expenses: Red or purple Carpet, photo backdrop, Rattan chair throne replica, Black Panther swag bags, Black Panther Cosplayer, Killmonger Cosplayer, Shuri or Dora Milaje Cosplayer, Black Panther prizes (masks, gauntlets, action figures). Some items we anticipate to be donated, but others will be sourced and itemized. At this time an additional $1000 should cover the acquisition of all materials in this event plan. *ALL remaining funds will be donated to Be Great SA (Boys and Girls Club) or used specifically for a potential additional screening.* *The remaining balance of donations after the movie Experience is paid for will go to the organization* Currently teen leaders of the club are raising funds for travel to the national convention. *All organization donations and movie/refreshment purchase receipts will be sent to campaign donors after the campaign is finished.* We are ecstatic about the chance to meet the #BlackPantherChallenge in San Antonio and feel that partnering with Alamo Drafthouse is the ideal Cinema to create an experience that cannot be duplicated. Furthermore working with Be Great SA; it is our hope that we are able to foster inspiration into future creators and doers of MARVELous feats. We would love for you to be a part of this endeavor. If you have any questions please contact: Trey Stepter