<p>Wakanda Learning Lab is this? </p> <p>This Learning Lab explores the importance of representation in popular media. How are people portrayed? Why are they portrayed? What does this say about a people in a society and the society itself? How do these messages affect and inform us about others and ourselves?</p> <p>First, how are African Americans are represented in popular media. Second, how African, the African Diaspora, and African American culture are represented in Black Panther (both as a comic book character and as part of the modern Marvel cinematic universe) and through other superhero lore. </p> <p>The National Museum of African American History and Culture celebrates the museum's acquirement of the movie costume of the iconic and groundbreaking Marvel comic book character <em>Black Panther</em>. The character of Black Panther (King T'Challa of Wakanda), and his iconic suit, debuted in the Marvel cinematic universe in the 2015 film <em>Captain America: Civil War</em>, and featured in his self-titled movie <em>Black Panther </em>in 2018. Since the debut of Black Panther (King T'Challa of Wakanda) in the <em>Fantastic Four</em> #52 in July 1966, <em>Black Panther</em> has been a trailblazer for the black superheroes that have followed him in print and on screen. </p> <p>Students can explore this Learning Lab independently. Learning exercises and worksheets have been provided to help enhance the exploration of the content. </p> <p>Keyword: nmaahc, African, American, Black, Panther, Marvel, T'Challa, Wakanda, suit, comic, superhero, super, hero, civil war, wakanda <em></em></p> <p><br /></p>