Like the historic march in Selma, Ala., in 1965, the movie “Selma,” directed by Ava DuVernay and starring David Oyelowo as Martin Luther King Jr., is part of an unprecedented campaign to make sure that young school children in the metropolitan area get a chance to see the film free of charge, thanks to a coalition of Black New York business leaders.
Paramount Pictures recently announced that it will partner with African-American business leaders in the city to offer free admission to see “Selma,” which was nominated in four Golden Globe categories and won for Best Original Song, composed by Common and John Legend. Almost immediately, 27 Black businesses answered the call and created a fund that will allow 27,000 seventh-, eighth- and ninth-graders to see the film at various theaters in the city.
Monday morning at City Cinema on 86th Street on the east side, hundreds of students filled the seats to see the film, said Carol Sutton Lewis, who was in attendance. “They were from the Eagle Academy, where David Banks is the president and CEO,” she said, “and they were so excited and eager to learn more about our history. The students came from all over the city, which was evident when the various boroughs were called out.”
Lewis, who, with her husband, Bill Lewis, a co-chairman of investment banking at Lazard, had seen the film earlier, said the idea of bringing the business leaders together came during a dinner she and her husband were having with Charles Phillips, a Viacom director. “We felt something should be done to give the film wider exposure, particularly to young students,” she explained. “And out of that meeting came the idea to contact other business leaders. The response has been amazing, and it’s such a delight to see that the students are beginning to develop their own movement out of an old movement.”
One of the ways the coalition is monitoring the turnout of students—and according to recent reports, other cities are creating their own initiatives—is through the hashtag #Selmastudents, through which students can submit their comments about the film. “We have received tweets from Common and John Legend,” Lewis added, “and they have promised to help us reach out to students.”
“Paramount is honored to partner with New York City’s deeply esteemed business men and women to give students in – New York the opportunity to experience Ava DuVernay’s beautiful and moving masterpiece,” said Brad Grey, chairman and CEO of Paramount Pictures.
Equally enthusiastic about the offer was Sherrilyn Ifill, president and director-counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, the organization that litigated to obtain the right to march in Selma. “We are thankful for the generous support and leadership of the New York business community and Paramount Pictures in helping deliver ‘Selma’ and Dr. King’s message to our future leaders,” she said.
Among the prominent business leaders in the coalition are Valentino D. Carlotti, partner, Goldman Sachs Group; Bruce Gordon, chairman, ADT, and former CEO of the NAACP; Ken Chenault, chairman and CEO of American Express; Debra Lee, chairman and CEO of BET Networks; Ed Lewis, founder of Essence magazine; Richard Parsons, senior advisor, Providence Equity Partners; Jonelle Procope, president, Apollo Theater; Fred Terrell, vice chairman of investment banking, Credit Suisse; and Ursula Burns, chairman and CEO, Xerox.
Darren Walker, president of the Ford Foundation, stated, “This coordinated effort from the New York business community demonstrates a commitment to education and the children of New York City. ‘Selma’ is the right catalyst for this prominent group, and it’s a model worth building on.”
“We thank the great organizations that quickly agreed to join this effort,” said Phillips. “‘Selma’ is timely, thought-provoking art about a transformative period in our country and a story that speaks to generations.”
The offer runs to Jan. 19 or while tickets are available. To gain admission, students must present a student ID or a report card at any of the theaters that have promised to participate in the program. Below is a partial list and the full list can be obtained by going to the www.selmamovie.com. To reserve 25 or more student tickets during this program, visit www.selmanyctickets.com.
The following New York City theaters are participating:
UA Kaufman Astoria Cinemas 14 – Astoria
AMC Bay Plaza Cinema 13 – Bronx
Concourse Plaza Multiplex 10 – Bronx
Alpine Cinemas 8 – Brooklyn
Bam Harvey Theater – Brooklyn
Cobble Hill Cinemas 5 – Brooklyn
Linden Boulevard Multiplex Cinemas 14 – Brooklyn
The Pavilion Theater – Brooklyn
UA Court Street 12 – Brooklyn
UA Sheepshead Bay Stadium 14 – Brooklyn
Williamsburg Cinemas 7 – Brooklyn
Movieworld Cinemas 7 – Douglaston
AMC Fresh Meadows 7 – Fresh Meadows
UA Midway Stadium 9 – Forest Hills
Regal Atlas Park Stadium 8 – Glendale
Jamaica Multiplex Cinemas 15 – Jamaica
AMC Loews 34th Street 14 – New York
AMC Loews Kips Bay 15 – New York
AMC Loews Lincoln Square 13 – New York
AMC Empire 25 – New York
AMC Magic Johnson Harlem 9 – New York
Bow Tie Chelsea Cinemas 9 – New York
City Cinemas East 86th Street Cinema – New York
Regal Battery Park Stadium 11 – New York
Regal Union Square Stadium 14 – New York
UA Staten Island Stadium 16 – Staten Island
College Point Multiplex Cinemas 12 – Whitestone