This post has been updated since it was originally published to reflect the correct number of 600 children sponsored by Lupita Nyong’o for the screening.
Not only did Black Panther break all sorts of box office records last weekend while bringing Wakanda to life for all the world to see, but the film’s cast continues to surprise and delight even more each day. Due to a bet of unknown origin, Lupita Nyong’o seems to be allowed to tell Michael B. Jordan to do push-ups on the spot whenever she chooses. (Please don’t ever let this end!) The female stars are making powerful fashion and beauty statements with every red carpet. And they pay tribute to each other on Instagram in the chicest of ways.
Now Lupita is making the Black Panther experience a reality for 600 children in her hometown of Kisumu, Kenya. The actress announced on Instagram that she (with an assist from her mom) had joined in on the #BlackPantherChallenge, a fund-raising movement originally started to take Harlem children to the movie that has gone global.
She wrote, “I wanted kids from my hometown to see the positive images reflected in the film and superheroes that they can relate to on the big screen. No matter where you live, you can help make this happen for more children who can’t afford to see the movie.”
A post shared by Lupita Nyong’o(@lupitanyongo) on Feb 21, 2018 at 1:21pm PST
In a video, one of the young girls speaks about her takeaways from the film, which included being a good leader by never giving up in the face of challenges and “people coming together to work as a team, to achieve, and to build our nation.” It cannot be understated what an impact seeing yourself reflected onscreen, in strong, heroic characters can have on a child. From Lupita’s super-spy Nakia to Princess Shuri, the tech wiz of Wakanda, the role models are many in Black Panther, and it’s amazing to see people making it a priority that the kids who could most benefit from the movie get a chance to experience it.
Wakanda forever.
