Riley: Eminem, Big Sean join Jemele Hill to send 900 kids to 'Black Panther'

It began with a tweet.

Detroit native and ESPN star Jemele Hill, who now reports for “The Undefeated,” implored her 982,000 followers to make sure Detroit kids see “Black Panther.”

Would also love @JalenRose @BigSean @Eminem @realchriswebber to join me and making sure kids from our neighborhoods see Black Panther. We can do this.

I said, “Done.”

So did Big Sean and Eminem who all joined the Free Press, the Detroit Lions and the Ford Fund in planning the trip for Feb. 28.

But we’re not taking 200 kids. We’re taking 900.

We plan to fill the entire Emagine Royal Oak Theater with an array of children, including more than 200 who haven't missed a day of school this year.

Read more:

Riley: 'Black Panther' resonates because it's unapologetic, vitally relevant

The small project turned big event even has its own hashtags #DetroitBlackPantherFieldTrip and #DetroitSeesBlackPanther.

"I left that movie feeling so inspired," Hill said of an early screening of the film. "And one of the many things that the 'Black Panther' movie is about is hope. That's the most important thing we can give children.

"I know, having grown up in Detroit, that there is sometimes a shortage of that there," she said. "Kids need to be inspired. This movie is meant to show them that they can move mountains. It’s almost meant to show them that your lot in life does not have to be determined by where you come from. I just connected with it on such a great level. Every child deserves to see this movie."

Every child should, regardless of color, regardless of parents' income.

And our effort mirrors hundreds of others across the country. People are taking kids to see a film that can not only affirm their heritage but encourage them to reach for greatness. And "Black Panther" does both of those things by showing all audiences how black people see themselves, descended from kings and capable of amazing.

Contact Rochelle Riley: rriley99@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @rochelleriley.