Syracuse, N.Y. -- Rhazie Seals' nephew, Jeremiah, has a bookshelf full of books about comic book super heroes. He loves Captain America and Hawkeye.

Neither look like the 5-year-old Syracuse boy. They're white. He's black. But there's a new superhero coming on the scene: Black Panther from the movie of the same name due out next month.

"I'm Black Panther," Seals' nephew says, now, even though he hasn't seen the movie yet.

The movie is about a new African superhero, has a deep cast of black actors and a black director, none of which are usual for a Marvel comic movie.

"Black Panther" doesn't come out until Feb. 16, but black community leaders and activists around the nation are already making plans to bring kids of color to see it. Called the Black Panther Challenge, the fundraising efforts began with Frederick Joseph, a Harlem marketing consultant. Joseph raised $30,000 to take 300 kids from the Boys and Girls Club of Harlem to see the movie.

His effort has been duplicated in cities around the country, including Syracuse.

Seals, an organizer with Syracuse Black Lives Matter who recently ran for Common Council, heard about Joseph's efforts and thought it would be great to try in Syracuse. She raising money through a YouCaring campaign.

She's made plans to rent out a theater at Regal Cinemas at Destiny USA on Feb. 17 for younger kids and on Feb. 16 at night for teens. So far Seals, who ran for Common Council in Syracuse and is an organizer with Black Lives Matter, has raised a little over $3,000. Her goal is $10,000.

"We're talking about black people being depicted in a positive light," Seals said.

Marnie Eisenstadt writes about people, life and culture in Central New York. Have an idea or question? Contact her anytime: email | twitter | Facebook | 315-470-2246