Boston activists part of national effort to bring ‘Selma’ to school students
A network of African American business leaders across the U.S. have undertaken a national campaign to underwrite free admission to the Golden Globe-nominated film Selma for students around the country.
Blacks in New York, Boston, Nashville, New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Sarasota, FL and Westchester have come together to create funds that will allow students in these locations to see Selma for free at participating theaters.
The efforts are inspired by the success of the program in New York City, in which 27 African-American business leaders created a fund for 27,000 of the city’s 7th, 8th and 9th grade students to see the film for free. Due to the overwhelming demand, the New York City effort sold out in the very first weekend and was expanded to 75,000 tickets.
The students in these cities will show a student ID or report card at the box office of any participating theater for free admittance. The programs began on, January 12th and run through January 19th (Martin Luther King Jr. Day) or while tickets last.
Business leaders in their cities are currently organizing commitments and participation from community organizations. Those cities and leaders were announced Wednesday, January 14th.
Among local business leaders who are leading the efforts are Bennie Wiley, Principal, The Wiley Group and Flash Wiley, Counsel, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, in Boston, who have raised funds for 10,000 tickets.
“How inspiring to see so many members of the African American community come together to expose our young people to this important chapter in history,” said Bennie Wiley and Flash Wiley in a statement. “We are delighted to join this extraordinary effort.”
For a list of participating theaters in select cities offering free admission to students during this program and for information on group sales, visit www.SelmaMovie.com/studenttickets
Boston-area donors include: Tommy and Stephanie Amaker, Edward and Rosalyn Baker-Greene, Boston Chapter of the Links, Alison Brown and Greg White, Jackie Browne, Michele Courton Brown and Phillip Brown, Wayne and Jacqui Budd, Phil and Sandy Clay, Tony and Robyn Coles, Mo and Stacey Cowan, Kevin and Jennifer DaSilva, Priscilla Douglas, Pam Everhart, Carol and Bernie Fulp, Levi and Gisele Garraway, Henry Louis “Skip” Gates, Marion Grayer, Skip Griffin and Lynette Glover-Griffin, Brent Henry and Minnie Baylor-Henry, Linda Hill, Ron and Cheryl Homer, Jeff and Cheryl Howard, Jamie Hoyte, Jack and Jill of America, Boston Chapter, Duane and Deborah Jackson, Ken and Traci Johnson, Chekesha Kidd, Wendell and Boxie Knox, Marcia Lloyd and Daniel C. Shannon, Demond and Kia Martin, Ralph and Deborah Scott Martin, Hassell McClellan, Henry McGhee, Tsedal and Lawrence Neeley, Charles and Pam Ogletree, Peter Pedro, Lee Pelton, Michael and Paula Price, Steve Rogers, Jody and T.J. Rose, George and Faye Russell, Shelle Santana, Daryl Settles and Lisa Owens, Greg and Michelle Shell, Richard and Marcia Soden, Kirk Sykes, Dorothy Terrell, Bill Thompson and Kim Budd, Liz Walker, Gus and Anita White, Linda Whitlock and Marc Cumsky, Bennie and Flash Wiley, Ann Marie and David Wilkins, Damian and Yndia Wilmot, Steve Wright, Andy Zelleke.
