NETFLIX Donates $5.4 Mil to Howard U’s Chadwick Boseman Memorial Scholarship
In an article posted on Monday, October 4th, 2021, WTOP reported that Netflix has donated $5.4 million to the Howard University scholarship fund honoring the late actor Chadwick Boseman, who passed away in August 2020 after a long and clandestine battle against colon cancer. Learn more about the Chadwick Boseman Memorial Scholarship below!
The Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts
The Chadwick Boseman Memorial Scholarship fund is just the latest development concerning Boseman’s legacy to emerge from his alma mater, Howard University in Washington, D.C.
Boseman graduated from the esteemed institution in 2000, and then went on to play the role of King T’Challa in Black Panther in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, before being nominated posthumously for an Oscar for his role in Netflix’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (for which the late actor won a Golden Globe and SAG Award).
Netflix donates to the Chadwick Boseman Memorial Scholarship. Photo: New York Times
Earlier this year, the school was renamed the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts, with the letters having been installed in September 2021.
Yesterday, the letters were installed over the now official Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts. An icon in his own right who has left an immeasurable legacy for the next generation. Thank you, Mr. Boseman.
Watch the full installation here: https://t.co/EN0Ir440r5 pic.twitter.com/FTg7b3mFQX
— Howard University (@HowardU) September 3, 2021
In the wake of his tragic death, his widow, Simone Ledward-Boseman, is administering a scholarship to carry on the actor’s legacy. Of the generous gift from Netflix and Ledward-Boseman, Dr. Wayne A. I. Frederick, President of Howard University, said:
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.
Beginning with next year’s academic calendar, a first year student will be selected for the scholarship, which will cover complete tuition for four full years – a value of about $113,800.
Photo: WUSA9
Four students have already received gifts from the scholarship fund, including Sarah Long (a freshman musical theater student), Shawn Smith (a sophomore acting student), Janee’ Ferguson (a junior in theater arts administration), and Deirdre Dunkin (a senior who studies dance).
The scholarship is open to students who demonstrate a financial need and carry on the “exceptional skills in the arts” embodied by the late Boseman.
To be young, gifted, and Black… Congratulations to Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts students Sarah Long, Shawn Smith, Janee’ Ferguson, and Deirdre Dunkin on receiving the inaugural Chadwick A. Boseman Memorial Scholarship! https://t.co/U0wf03MXpn
— Chadwick Boseman (@chadwickboseman) October 4, 2021
In addition, Bob Iger, The Walt Disney Company Executive Chairman, is heading up fundraising efforts for the new facility for the school, as well as for an endowment for the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts.
Boseman’s Legacy
While Boseman’s final appearance onscreen in the Marvel Cinematic Universe may have taken place in this week’s episode of What If…? on Disney+, the actor’s legacy lives on through the scholarship and school named in his honor.
What do you think of the donation made by Netflix to the Boseman scholarship? We want to hear from you, Marvel Blog True Believers! Give us a shout-out in the comment section.
