Marvel fans around the world are gearing up for the highly anticipated premiere of Wakanda Forever: Black PantherDisney is honoring the movie’s stars, characters, and fans by supporting underrepresented groups in science technology, engineering and mathematics (STEAM).
Disney will make $1 million in grants to several non-profit organizations during the film’s release week. Ghetto Film School, Girls Who Code, Hidden Genius Project?, DonorsChooseThe U.S. Chicas en Tecnología Argentina Destination ImaginationAsia. This initiative is part Disney Future StorytellersProgram that aims to diversify creative areas.
“Mashable spoke with Denzel Russell, Communications Manager at The Hidden Genius Project. He said that we mentor and train Black men in technology creation, entrepreneurship and leadership skills to transform their lives. “Through Disney’s generous investment in our array of exposure-based youth programs in Oakland, Richmond, Los Angeles, and Detroit, we’ll be able to increase our capacity to reveal their brilliance and innate superpowers at the intersection of STEM, the arts, and entrepreneurship.”
Disney Future Storytellers offers support for the Propel CenterHBCUs and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have a central education hub in. Disney Storytellers Fund, Howard UniversityThe nonprofit ChickTechThis site offers technical workshops and mentoring.
There is a strong and intentional connection between the popular superhero franchises and science fields, even fictional ones. Wakanda’s Afrofuturistic roots. Shuri, one the film’s main characters is responsible for much of that legacy. Symbolized Black women in STEM as an iconHer life-saving, creative Vibranium technology.
Sonia, currently a fellow at Ghetto Film School talked about the film’s representative power. “The movie applies a lot to Ghetto Film School because we’re continuously trying to tell stories that aren’t being told. We have an emphasis on people of color creators, women creators, and so it was inspiring to see that in this movie, because that’s what we’re trying to do in our own films we’re creating. It was beautiful to see so many strong females at the forefront.
After Disney’s 2018 promise to support STEAM careers in young people, this second grant from Disney is now available. Black Panther premiere. The company also announced that it would be launching a new website in the following year. donate $1 million to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. “It’s fitting that we show our appreciation by helping advance STEM programs for youth, especially in underserved areas of the country, to give them the knowledge and tools to build the future they want,” said former Disney CEO Robert A. Iger at the time of the announcement.
“Something we live by at The Hidden Genius Project is ‘ubuntu’ – meaning that we are together, and we are one, ForeverBrendan, a student who is involved in the nonprofit’s activities, said that they are grateful. “Wakanda forever” is a term that evokes affection and empowers us to realize that as Black communities, we can unite and free ourselves from all the sufferings we face around the globe. This is more than just a fictional movie, it’s sending a message that we can build off of.”
Record-breaking success for Black Panther The film’s cast of Black characters with complex and empowered personalities catapulted the futuristic universe to the forefront of public consciousness. The movie’s history-making. Box office numbers, Critic ratingsAnd Nominations for Academy AwardDisney looked to the culture and community that inspired Wakanda’s fictional Wakanda, such as Ryan Coogler, the director, and the Theatrical Director. late star Chadwick Boseman. The company is even more successful in 2019 The film was re-released free of charge to celebrate Black History MonthThen, a $1.5 Million donation was made to the charity. United Negro College Fund – UNCF.
The premiere of Wakanda Forever: Black Panther In support of Disney’s non-profit partners, advanced community screenings were held in Los Angeles and New York, Oakland and Atlanta. The initiative, which was also supported by Target-hosted early screenings at AMC Theaters for local nonprofits, helped 25,000 youth access the film before its theatrical release.
Jennifer Cohen, executive vice-president of corporate social responsibility at The Walt Disney Company, stated that “when young people see this film,” she wanted them to leave feeling inspired, believing that their futures were unlimited, and to follow their passions, develop their skills, and share what they have to offer the world.
