Black Panther is a particularly important franchise for our students. Beyond being one of the brand’s most successful theatrical debuts in history, it still exists as one of the better examples of inclusive entertainment, from its mostly Black cast to its diverse, Oscar-winning crew.
One especially resonant detail lies in how Wakanda—and, by extension, the franchise itself—embraces the overt presence of Black girls and women in STEM through Shuri (Letitia Wright), the resident tech genius.
With the franchise’s forthcoming second installment, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, our young science enthusiasts will get a double dose of brilliance with the addition of Riri Williams—a.k.a. Ironheart—played by Dominique Thorne.