Black Panther premiered eight years ago this week.

And I remember being absolutely electric with anticipation, like, buzzing, giddy, over-the-moon excited. This wasn’t just a movie for me. For so many of us, it was a moment. A big moment! A long overdue one at that. We’d been talking about it online for weeks, making our promises in comment sections and group chats: we’re showing up, and we’re showing out! Full regalia. Cosplay, cultural dress, CROWN AND ALL.

And we delivered. [I know I did.]

The theaters that night looked like Wakanda had spilled into the real world…and honestly? It had. Like my fellow kinfolk, I walked in looking like a citizen of Wakanda, like I belonged there, because in every way that mattered, I did. We all did.

WAKANDA FOREVER. ✊🏿✊🏾✊🏽

… Dear Chadwick Boseman, may you continue to soar high on the wings of eternity. 🙏🏾🌌🤴🏿✨🕊️