#WakandaForever
“I'll be damned if I drink some Belvedere while Puff got Cîroc.” —JAY-Z
With the release of Marvel’s “Black Panther” already shattering box office records, it’s become a social media trend with fans everywhere representing through attire.
From tribal patters to “All Black Everything” inspired wear, unity has truly taken the theme for moviegoers for Marvel’s first all-black cast. Did we mention the solid reviews from critics?
No less, private screenings took precedent leading up to the Feb. 16th release date. Attorney Juan Lafonta decided to join in on the action by hosting a red carpet premiere for free at the AMC Palace Elmwood.
He partnered up with local non-profiting mentoring organizations, churches and community programs in order to bring hope and prosperity to kids...and the adults went right along with the fun.
A few of his celebrity friends such as Big Freedia, Mia X, and Dee-1 showed up in support of Lafonta’s philanthropic efforts and of course the film. Also on the red carpet was Power 102.9’s very own Downtown Lesli Brown who kept the questions fluid as guests continued to arrive.
Once attendees were all present in the reserved theater room, Lafonta took center stage greeting the guests and said, “First of all, I’m not Mexican [audience laughs] I was born in the 7th Ward. I got to where I got today from that neighborhood that raised me, from those parents in the neighborhood, from those people that fed us when we had no food, and the people that loaned us grease to fry chicken and Kool-aid packs to make juice. I’m just here to tell you that no matter how bad your situation is, no matter how bad things look around you, God has a plan for you and that’s the plan that will make the difference. I did this because it’s time that black people in the community that have money put that money back into the community.” Lafonta concluded with a line made famous by Jay-Z’s most recent 4:44 album which was surprisingly befitting for a city known for its music and various libations.
Lafonta not only lived up to his own words but he delivered in a way where young boys and girls can see images of themselves as superheroes as opposed to their white counterparts. He also allowed men and women to live out a victorious moment in cinematic history as Marvel’s first black film gave true representation of culture “for the people, by the people.”
Check out some of the pics below from the event all courtesy of Brooke Nguyen:
