Howard University and Netflix Announce Scholarship Honoring the Legacy of Chadwick Boseman

 Photo Credit: Howard University

 Boseman delivering Howard University's commencement address in 2018.

Netflix, alongside Howard University, announced a $5.4 million endowed scholarship today to honor one of the historically black college's most famous alumni.

Actor, director, writer and producer Chadwick Boseman, an honors graduate of the HBCU, perhaps best known for his portrayal of Marvel's "Black Panther," died in August of 2020 of colon cancer at the age of 43, just as his career was reaching stratospheric levels.

Now thanks to the generous donation from Netflix, Howard hopes to not only preserve the legacy of Boseman — who was nominated posthumously for an Academy Award for his performance in “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” — but help support future students as they endeavor to imitate his postgraduate success. 

“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 said in a statement. “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.”

The actor’s wife, Simone Ledward-Boseman, added. “Many exemplary artists are not afforded the opportunity to pursue higher learning, we hope to support as many students as possible by removing the financial barrier to education. This endowment represents Chad’s devotion to the craft, his compassion for others, and his desire to support future storytellers.”

The Chadwick A. Boseman Memorial Scholarship will provide incoming students in the College of Fine Arts with a four-year scholarship to cover the full cost of tuition, which runs about $28,000 a year. According to the announcement the scholarship "will be given to students who have exceptional skills in the dramatic arts and exemplify Boseman’s values — a drive for excellence, leadership, respect, empathy, and passion — and who demonstrate financial need."

Four scholarships will be awarded starting this fall and then going forward one will be given to an incoming freshman each year.