Windsor man wants to take 100 kids to see Black Panther film

One hundred kids are getting free tickets to go see the movie The Black Panther from local group who wanted to give black children an opportunity to see a superhero who looked like them.

Marc Taylor, who is purchasing the tickets, received permission from Disney to buy and hand out vouchers in the Cineplex movie theatre at Devonshire Mall Thursday, ahead of the theatre premier. 

The Black Panther is a Marvel superhero who is also king of a fictional, technologically advanced African nation of Wakanda.

Taylor, who grew up reading the Black Panther comic books, said seeing himself through the eyes of a superhero meant a lot to him. 

"Here you have Stan Lee and Jack Kirby who put together this superhero that looked like me, represented me," said Taylor. "Best part of all, he was king."

When Taylor's daughter showed him the trailer for the film, he decided to he wanted to share the inspiration he felt as a child with today's youth.

"[Lee and Kirby] didn't make him into something thuggish. It was extremely positive images," he said. "I couldn't wait to spend my 25 cent, my 50 cents to get the latest edition of the Black Panther."

Taylor will pass out tickets Thursday afternoon at the Cineplex box office. He is also giving tickets to community organizations who are connected directly to local youth.

The tickets are for the opening night showing on Feb. 16.

Black Ribbon campaign

Taylor is also behind a campaign that asks people to wear a black ribbon during Black History Month.

"It's a simple way to bring awareness," he said.

Taylor was specifically concerned about U.S. President Donald Trump's recent comments about Haiti and countries in Africa.

"All the strides ... that we made in the past, in less that one year it seems that it's going in the total opposite direction," Taylor said. 

"I'm hoping that that good-willed, good-hearted individuals will wear the ribbon to say 'hey, enough.'"