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Fraternity Hosts Black Panther Screening For High School Students

Members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. raised money for students of Ballou Senior High and Hart Middle School to see the 'Black Panther.'- Photo by Dominique Dickerson

Seeking to foster positive black male images, the Mu Lamba Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity raised $4,500 to sponsor students from Ballou Senior High and Hart Middle School to see the Marvel blockbuster superhero film ‘Black Panther.’

“Mu Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. has a mentoring program with Hart Middle and Ballou High School and since Black Panther is a black themed show and all black cast, directors and everything, we thought it would be fitting for our young men to come and have a gathering where we can all be together and enjoy the show,” said Adrian Vincent James.

Released now for over a week, the movie has grossed over $700 million in the U.S. and internationally.

The fraternity took the students to Gallery Place Theater in Washington D.C. this past Saturday.

The event started at 9 a.m. where many young men gathered in front of the theatre to head upstairs in excitement to watch the movie. Each student could be accompanied by one guardian and a complimentary drink and popcorn to perfectly enjoy the movie.

“It is important for us as a community, male, female, children, to see a positive side. Even though in the movie there's always drama and tension, just like in our community there's tension,  but in the end faith and love will rise,” Vincent James said.

Alpha Phi Alpha’s Mu Lambda Chapter hosts a program ‘Go to Highschool Go to College’ at both schools and wanted to host this screening of “Black Panther” in a bid to help them follow their dreams.

“I really enjoyed the movie. It was a special and educational event. As African American kids we need this inspiration in our lives. This movie is black history,” student, Caleb Moore said.

Education chair of the fraternity, Charvis Campbell led this event and is proud of the success of the event. “This means everything to Alpha Phi Alpha. To see these young men and young boys who frankly want to see this again, and look up to this, its all about the future for us,” he said.

The event ended with a picture of everyone in attendance by the Black Panther poster, as everyone shouted “Wakanda Forever.”

“Today’s mission was to really give more opportunities to young men and for us that’s what it’s all about.” said Campbell.