Help Queens Kids See Black Panther

Let me start off by saying, this is completely inspired by the campaign started by Frederick Joseph in support of the Boys & Girls Club of Harlem. I read his story in AM New York and it resonated with me. I thought, "I too have had - and continue to have - the privilege of working with INCREDIBLE young people across New York City and one of the most important tasks I have is to affirm that they are seen, that they are important, and that they are powerful." 

I also know some phenomenally committed and gifted youth workers throughought NYC who daily inspire me with all that they give to enhance the lives of the youth they serve. I want to give their work a boost by helping them send 200 young people to see Marvel's Black Panther. Any support you provide will show them that their work is seen, that it is important, and that it is powerful.


Why Black Panther? As Frederick so perfectly stated in his initial GoFundMe campaign, the film "is a rare opportunity for young students (primarily of color) to see a black major cinematic and comic book character come to life. This representation is truly fundamental for young people, especially those who are often underserved, unprivileged, and marginalized both nationally and globally." To give you a sense of how important this film is to shifting the idea of presence and representation for people of color, the star of the film, Chadwick Boseman, recently won an award at the 13th Annual Chinese American Film Festival for being the most popular US actor in China and remarked: “As African American actors we are told that our popularity and our movies don’t travel overseas. So I cherish this award immensely.”

Proceeds will go to paying for the screening tickets and refreshments for children served by several organizations I deeply admire doing life changing work with young people in the Queens, New York area and their chaperones. The organizations are: YoungLife Southeastern Queens (video above), The Star Legacy Dance Center , Innervisions Theater Arts Center , and Alpha II Omega Youth Services. The release of the film is February 16th, 2018, and the screenings will take place that weekend on February 17th and 18th.


Cost breakdown:

-$13.50 per ticket
-$13.00 refreshments per child
- $10.00 refreshments per chaperone

*The remaining balance of donations after the movie experience is fully paid for will be divided evenly among the aforementioned organizations*

*All organization donations and movie/refreshment purchase receipts will be sent to campaign donors after the campaign is finished.*

Thank you so much for helping these organizations further impact the lives of these children.