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Couple calls on community to send hundreds to see “Black Panther”

‘Black Panther’ Sets Record for Advance Ticket Sales
By Shelia Poole
Feb 20, 2018

An Atlanta couple issued a call to the community to help pay for students to see the blockbuster movie “Black Panther.”

The community responded.

On Tuesday 725 students will see the film at Movie Tavern Northlake in Tucker.

Related: “Black Panther” spurs demand for African-inspired clothes

“I grew up with Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman,” said Jay Bailey. “I never saw my reflection in them. They were superheroes I admired and looked up to.”

Atlanta couple raises money to take more than 700 students to see "Black Panther"
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Bailey and his wife, NBC news correspondent Blayne Alexander, founded the Phoenix Leadership Foundation.

The movie, starring Chadwick Boseman, Lupita Nyong’o, Michael B. Jordan and Danai Gurira, was filmed in Atlanta and has broken box-office records.

Related: Ryan Coogler talks "Fruitvale Station

Related: Twitter goes crazy over “Black Panther”

Bailey, chairman of the foundation and a managing partner at Greenwood Archer, a private equity firm, said nearly 700 people donated to the effort, contributing anywhere from a dollar to $500. Georgia Power donated books and Chick-fil-A will donate lunch. More than 150 people have volunteered.

Read the full story.

About the Author

Shelia has worked at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution for more than 30 years. Previously, she worked at The Lexington Herald-Leader and The Louisville Defender. Her beat is a bit of a mixed bag that includes religion and spirituality, culture and trends, race and aging. She earned degrees from Spelman College and Northwestern University.

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