100 members from the Eastside branch of the Boys & Girls Clubs of San Antonio hope to see the Black Panther movie this weekend. A local on-line effort wants to grant their wish.
Self-described nerds Allen Stepter and Leon Collins have taken on the local version of a national GoFundMe movement designed to send underprivileged children to the blockbuster movie that started in New York.
"It's important that they are able to see themselves as heroes and warriors," Collins said. "Not whatever destitute situation that they're in."
On February 10, the San Antonio #BlackPantherChallenge went up with a $2,000 goal. At the time this article was written, the desired amount was $200 short.
The funding will provide the following:
- Movie ticket (Children and chaperones)
- Popcorn and drink
- Swag bag
- Purple carpet movie experience
- African face painting
- African head wraps for young girls
- Crowns for the young boys
"We have kids in San Antonio that need to see themselves on the big screen," Stepter said. "Actually looking up while munching on popcorn and hanging with their friends and saying did you see that?"
The Eastside children will attend the movie at the Alamo Drafthouse on Saturday, Feb 24.
Travon Davis wants one of the tickets badly. The 13-year-old honors students at Martin Luther King Jr Academy said one of his friends gave him the scoop on Black Panther.
"He said it's awesome," Davis said.
Stepter and Collins said interest in making sure the young movie watchers take part in the Black Panther experience has also garnered donations from the San Antonio Black Lawyers Association.
Any money exceeding the Black Panther Challenge in San Antonio will go to the Boys and Girls Club for future programs and possible movie premieres like a Wrinkle in Time.
To donate to the GoFundMe account, click here.