This local pastor wants kids to see a black superhero in action. So a huge group is going to the movies.

Several volunteers, including Pastor Shaquila Mathews of Truth and Life Church in Hamilton, have organized a trip for local youth and their parents to see the Marvel comic movie Black Panther on Saturday. GREG LYNCH / STAFF

Several volunteers, including Pastor Shaquila Mathews of Truth and Life Church in Hamilton, have organized a trip for local youth and their parents to see the Marvel comic movie Black Panther on Saturday. GREG LYNCH / STAFF

Pastor Shaquila Mathews and several volunteers are taking kids and their parents from the community today to see the Marvel Comics release of the movie Black Panther as part of Black History Month.

The group worked together to organize the outing to take 300 kids, parents and volunteers to see the movie.

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Mathews said that it’s important for children of color and for children of all races to see the latest movie from Marvel that features a black superhero. The effort is to also meant to promote unity with all the youth and their families throughout the city.

“So far we have the whole theater on the west side reserved for this event,” Mathews said. “We have close to 300 kids and parents attending. (Many people got involved) and decided to come together and provide this amazing opportunity for kids to go see this movie for so many reasons.”

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The group wanted to allow youth to see everybody working together as a community to give the kids the chance to see such a powerful display of a predominantly African-American cast in lead roles, according to Mathews.

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“This is in hope that this opportunity will inspire and empower the youth that are participating,” Mathews explained. “This display of unity is what is necessary to move the community forward in a positive direction in order to build up our youth and let them know they have options. The only thing for you to do is not just gangs, drugs and violence.”

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The movie is free for kids and $5 for adults. Buses will leave starting at 5:30 p.m on Saturday from the Booker T. Washington Center, and permission slips can be signed by parents who are letting their children attend with the chaperones.

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