You’re gonna see Black Panther, you’re gonna see Black Panther, everyone gets to see Black Panther!
Earlier this month I wrote about an awesome GoFundMe that was set up to raise money to help Harlem kids see Black Panther (aka the world’s most amazing movie; I will never hype this up enough).
From there, the GoFundMe took off, raising more than $42,000 of an original $10,000 goal to help the kids from the Boys & Girls Club of Harlem see the iconic movie about the black superhero.
But things just kept on getting better. New York resident Frederick Joseph, who created the original GoFundMe, used the burst of fame to issue a challenge to those who were following his campaign, calling on others to start similar campaigns in their own communities to take more kids to see the movie.
Well, his call was heard. According to GoFundMe, some 100 campaigns have raised over $100,000 just to help kids across the nation see Black Panther next month.
Celebrities have also noticed the movement over the past few weeks, with several, including Jemele Hill, Snoop Dogg, Chelsea Clinton and so many more, socializing their support and offering contributions.
Most recently, Queen Mother Viola Davis has also joined the challenge, choosing to help send 200 kids from Austin, Texas, to see the movie.
The impact of one small act of kindness is profound. But what makes the pot even sweeter? Well, Joseph appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show on Monday alongside Black Panther himself, Chadwick Boseman.
During the show, DeGeneres was the latest celebrity to join the cause, pledging to cover the cost of the Black Panther screening for the Boys & Girls Club. The $42,000 raised in the GoFundMe will now be donated directly to the organization to support other programs within the group. Joseph responded with this statement:
I can’t thank Ellen enough. She generously helped me and she covered the cost of the Black Panther screening for the kids in Harlem. All children deserve to believe they can save the world, go on exciting adventures, or accomplish the impossible. I am grateful that all of you have answered the call and are taking action to help more kids watch their heroes on the big screen. Let’s keep pushing forward. I am paying it forward and will donate to 10 campaigns, and I hope everyone joins the #BlackPantherChallenge and donates to or creates a GoFundMe in your city.
DeGeneres also presented Joseph with a cool $20,000 for himself in order to help the marketing consultant personally.