Black Panther is finally here!
Thousands of people flocked to the movie theaters last weekend wearing Africa's Best attire to show support for Marvel’s latest blockbuster. The film follows King T’Challa in his home country, Wakanda, as he defends his honor and his family’s legacy. The action-thriller awed audiences all over the world as it introduced new weapons and fighting tactics that have yet to be seen in a Marvel movie.
Wakanda is the most technologically advanced country in the Marvel Universe due to its secret abundant supply of vibranium. The extraterrestrial meteoric metal has the ability to manipulate kinetic energy and absorb sound waves making it the best material for Black Panther’s suit. For those unfamiliar with the comic, it came as quite a surprise that T’Challa’s younger sister, Princess Shuri, was the mastermind behind all the designs and inventions.
Shuri, 16, uses her innovative mind as the lead designer in Black Panther’s tech lab. She understands the strengths of her people and tailors her creations to enhance them. Not only does she design the most unimaginable gadgets behind the scenes, she also knows how to use them to kick butt on the field! Seeing Shuri in action sparked a fire in so many people fueling their curiosity for STEM. The actress who plays Shuri (Letitia Wright, 24) once said in an interview,
“She wants to use her mind to create technology and help her country to advance in a positive way. So if that will actually influence someone in the real world to do something like that, then I think that’s a pretty good thing.”
In light of the continuously growing success of the film, Disney has donated $1 million to the non-profit organization, Boys & Girls Club of America. Their contribution will fund STEM programs at 12 locations across the nation including one in Chicago’s Little Village, True Value Boys & Girls Club. Each of the selected communities will develop a STEM Center of Innovation geared toward providing interactive and hands-on activities for children and teens.
Black Panther has created an uproar in our society both culturally and intellectually. The Wakandan nation may be ruled by men, but it is powered by women. From the all female protectors of the king, the Dora Milaje, to the Queen there’s so much Black Girl Magic laced throughout the plot. Shuri became the STEM role model we never knew we needed. She shows that a brilliant female mind can accomplish anything, and hopefully she’ll inspire the next young girl to make her dreams a reality.
Be sure to look out for Black Panther, Shuri, and the Dora Milaje in Avengers: Infinity War in theaters this spring.
