Four weeks after its release, "Black Panther" is still making an impact on many, including a few college students in Georgia.
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The members of the Zeta Mu chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. at Georgia State University are holding their annual Miss Black & Gold Scholarship Pageant, and this year, it’s called “Wakanda Phorever.”
The organization announced the news on social media earlier this month, revealing the dozen contestants vying for the crown.
“We wanted to celebrate black excellence,” said the fraternity’s pageant coordinator Kirk Willabus. “We decided to focus on the overall concept of ‘Black Panther.’ It sets a standard, so we had to do it justice.”
That’s why the group called on GSU and Zeta Mu alum Camryn Bradley, the founder of the design company VizualHub. Together, they designed the promotional photos for the event, which feature the 12 participants in African garbs and face paint.
“We picked the film’s character posters for the inspiration,” said Willabus, a senior computer informational systems major. “This is a celebration of being black. Black is beautiful.”
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The big event, which will take place on April 21 at the GSU’s Student Center Ballroom, will also incorporate “Black Panther”-inspired visuals, music and choreography from Gems of Georgia Dance’s Maisha Land. And Willabus said the campus is excited.
“There’s a lot of hype and anticipation,” he said. “It’s a really good feeling. It feels like we’re doing something really good.”
Take a look at some of the pics below and the full gallery here.
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