TI photos by Aric Thompson

Tip “T.I.” Harris appeared at Walmart on Cascade Road to personally give away free tickets to the Atlanta screening of Marvel Studios’ Black Panther. The Atlanta Walmart on Cascade Road was one of 5 locations nationwide to offer FREE tickets!

TI photos by Aric Thompson

As you approached the Walmart off Cascade Road in SouthWest Atlanta on February 12th, you could feel immediately that something special was in the air. Several news trucks were parked in the front of the store, and a line of nearly 500 people queued inside waiting for a special guest to arrive!

TI photos by Aric Thompson

Some of the people arrived early with folding chairs and waited for hours until the special guest arrived.

The special guest wasn’t T’Challa, King of Wakanda, but T.I., King Of The South! The Grammy Award winning artist, producer, rapper and actor is no stranger to Walmart.

TI photos by Aric Thompson

He’s known for making surprise visits to Walmart on Christmas Eve where he’s purchased Christmas gifts for the children of single mothers standing online in the store.

T.I.’s activism and commitment to the community made him the ideal celebrity for Walmart to partner with for their Marvel Black Panther free ticket-giveaway and advance screening.

Nearly 250 lucky ticket holders will join Walmart, T.I. and specially invited VIP guests for a preview of Marvel’s Black Panther on Tuesday February 13th — three days ahead of the film’s national release.

TI photos by Aric Thompson

As we celebrate Black History Month, Marvel’s Black Panther is making its own history as the first superhero film directed by an African-American and one of the first with a predominantly African-American cast.

Directed by Ryan Coogler, Marvel’s Black Panther stars Angela Bassett, Forest Whitaker, Martin Freeman, Michael B. Jordan, Andy Serkis, Chadwick Boseman, Danai Gurira, Lupita Nyong’o, Daniel Kaluuva, Letitia Wright and more.

TI photos by Aric Thompson

Filmed in Atlanta, Black Panther generated more than $83.9 million to the local economy and contributed more than $26.5 million in wages to more than 3,100 workers across the state.

Visit your local Walmart and Walmart.com to purchase exclusive Black Panther action figures, toys, merchandise, and apparel.

Photos by Aric Thompson

Text by Jackie O & Co. Public Relations