Chadwick Boseman is being honored once again after his untimely death in Aug of 2020. The late actor graduated from Howard University, so the school has decided to open a scholarship in his name for students pursuing a degree in their fine arts department.
The institution has shared that the recipient will be someone who embodies the same values and excellence as the Black Panther actor.
Netflix Is Helping
The scholarship is officially called Chadwick A. Boseman Memorial Scholarship. Earlier this year, the school also renamed their Fine Arts college after the actor, the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts.
Netflix is the first donor for the scholarship that is worth 5.4 million and has already been award to four freshman students for this school year. Going forward, the scholarship will be given out to one freshman each year. The President of the university, Wayne A.I. Frederick, released a statement calling the scholarship, support for the future.
‘Scholarship Embodies Chadwick’
“This scholarship embodies Chadwick’s love for Howard, his passion for storytelling, and his willingness to support future generations of Howard students,” said Frederick. I am thankful for the continuous support and partnership of Chadwick’s wife, Mrs. Simone Ledward-Boseman, and to Netflix for this important gift.”
Netflix co-CEO, Ted Sarandos, released a statement on behalf of the company. “While [Boseman] was taken from us too soon, his spirit is with us always in his work and the good that he has inspired.”
He shared that Netflix got involved because they too, knew how important the HBCU was to the actor. “He always spoke of his time at Howard and the positive way it shaped his life and career. Now, we will have the opportunity to give many future superheroes a chance to experience the same.”
Untimely Passing
Boseman, most notably known for his role as the Black Panther in the Marvel cinematic universe, passed away on Aug 28, 2020, after a battle with colon cancer. The news was shocking because Boseman did not share that was this ill.
Looking back now at press interviews, Boseman can be seen nodding off and his physique changed drastically. He was only 43-years-old and in such a short time he was able to leave his mark on Hollywood. That being said, his passing is still upsetting to many fans.
Secretly Married
Just before his passing, the actor married his long-time girlfriend Taylor Simone Ledward-Boseman. She was the one to accept his posthumous awards for Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. Both Netflix and Howard University shared that they received her blessing for not only the scholarship but the renaming of the fine arts building as well.
“We are grateful to Simone and Chadwick’s whole family and our partners at Howard University for making this possible,” said the co-CEO. Currently, Boseman’s final project is airing on Disney+. What If…? Features T’Challa “Black Panther” if he wasn’t the notable character but instead “Star-Lord T’Challa” in Guardians Of The Galaxy.
The twist was a pleasure for fans who got to experience a different side of the actor playing a less serious and more fun-loving T’Challa.
