Netflix and Howard University are partnering up to create a $5.4 million scholarship in honor of the late Chadwick Boseman. The 43-year-old actor passed away in August 2020 after a long and secretive battle with colon cancer. Best remembered for his performance as King T'Challa in 2016's Black Panther, Boseman continued to film for projects like Netflix's Ma Rainey's Black Bottom and Da 5 Bloods despite being sick. His final recorded role is for Marvel's animated series, What If...?, which began airing on Disney+ in August. Boseman lent his voice to nearly half of the first season's episodes, and was honored with a heartfelt tribute at the end of episode 2.
As reported by ET Canada, Netflix and Howard University are joining forces to create a $5.4 million scholarship in the late actor's name. Boseman graduated from the HBCU in 2000 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in directing, and stayed connected to his alma mater throughout his adult life. According to a statement released by the university, The Chadwick A. Boseman Memorial Scholarship will provide incoming College of Fine Arts students with a 4-year, full-ride scholarship. Boseman's wife, Simone, also helped to establish the fund, which will be presented annually to 1 member of each class. Howard University President Wayne A.I. Frederick's full statement can be read below:
“It is with immense pleasure and deep gratitude that we announce the creation of an endowed scholarship in honor of alumnus, Chadwick Boseman, whose life and contributions to the arts continues to inspire,” Howard University President, Wayne A.I. Frederick, M.D, said in Netflix’s press release on the partnership. “This scholarship embodies Chadwick’s love for Howard, his passion for storytelling, and his willingness to support future generations of Howard students. I am thankful for the continuous support and partnership of Chadwick’s wife, Mrs. Simone Ledward-Boseman, and to Netflix for this important gift.”
Earlier this year, it was announced that Howard's College of Fine Arts would be renamed in Chadwick’s honor. The university revealed that the building had officially been renamed the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts in May to an outpouring of support from students, faculty, and Boseman's former co-stars. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, the highly anticipated sequel to Black Panther, is sure to celebrate Boseman's memory in a similar way. The movie is slotted to premiere in 2022, and similar to his beloved university, will pay tribute to the talented actor and his impressive legacy.
Source: ET Canada