Thanks to a joint initiative of scores of African-American business leaders in New York and New Jersey, 7th-12th graders can get free admission to “Selma,” the much-acclaimed film based on the 1965 Selma to Montgomery voting rights marches led by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and other black leaders.
The film is showing at Bow Tie Cinemas (at SOPAC) in South Orange, as well as at a number of other New Jersey theaters. Students may show a Student ID or a report card to receive a free ticket, while supplies last.
The program is the result of 27 African-American business leaders joining forces to create a fund for New York City students to see the film for free. Inspired by the huge response, 26 African-American business leaders in New Jersey came together to fund 10,000 local students to do the same.
“New Jersey is honored to join its friends in New York in bringing ‘SELMA’ to students who may not otherwise have the opportunity to hear Martin Luther King, Jr.’s message,” said David R. Jones, President and CEO, CastleOak Securities, L.P., in a press release. Jones is spearheading the effort along with Anré Williams and Carla Harris in Northern New Jersey. “We are grateful to the leaders in New York, whose generosity and vision led to this movement.”The response was huge, and now other cities across the country are joining the initiative.
Charles Phillips, CEO, Infor and Viacom Director said, “The response to our program in New York is better than we could have anticipated and we are truly moved by the generosity and outpouring of support. The story of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s heroic efforts in Alabama during the civil rights movement is an important chapter in our country’s history – and one that still resonates deeply today. Due to the many generous donors, tens of thousands of students around the country will have the opportunity to experience this extraordinary film.”
