BLACK LOVE 2025 SERIES: “RISE OF THE BLERDS”
DOORS OPEN AT 2PM FOR ALL PRE-SHOW EVENTS, FILM STARTS AT 3PM
A moving vision of one of the first Black superheroes to appear in Marvel Comics from writer-director Ryan Coogler (Creed, Fruitville Station), a touchstone for afrofuturism for an entire generation and one of the most phenomenally successful films of all time, Black Panther’s tableau of a technologically superior Wakanda grounded in the deeply personal screenplay and the stellar performances of its ensemble of actors will resonate with audiences for years to come.
NEW THIS YEAR:
Guests are invited to dress as their favorite superheroes for photo ops, a meet-and-greet with the Tampa Chapter of The Pierians and the creators of the Juneteena Freeman comics, and to join Tampa-based creatives Kristopher Paul, Dr. Hillary Van Dyke and Zhalarina for an on-stage costume parade hosted by Tampa-based nerd-core rapper Swell Rell, along with a live performance from Swell Rell, before the film.
And while the film celebrates fictional superheroes, guests are invited to come meet the REAL superheroes in our community with a family-friendly “Touch A Truck” event on Franklin Street from 2-3 p.m. featuring first responders, Tampa Electric (TECO) line trucks, and others who aided the clean-up efforts after the October hurricanes.
The 2025 Black Love: Rise of the Blerds series is presented by Tampa Electric (TECO), in collaboration with the City of Tampa’s Community Engagement & Partnerships Department.