Netflix launches $5.4 Million Chadwick Boseman scholarship at Howard University

Streaming giant Netflix has partnered with Howard University to establish a scholarship in honor of late actor Chadwick A Boseman. The Black Panther icon's legacy will live on at the Historically Black University through a $5.4 million scholarship in his name. Officially named the Chadwick A Boseman Memorial Scholarship, the grant will be used to provide incoming students admitted to the newly reestablished College of Fine Arts with a four-year scholarship. The scholarship will cover the full cost of a student's university tuition. It was unveiled on October 4 and is expected to boost Boseman's prospective impact on future generations, Variety Magazine reports.

"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 continue to inspire," announced Howard University President Wayne AI Frederick, MD. "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 scholarship highlights Boseman's continued connection to Netflix; two of his last roles—as Stormin’ Norman in Spike Lee’s Da 5 Bloods and as Levee in the adaptation of August Wilson’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom—were in partnership with the streamer.

Ledward-Boseman stated, in support of the scholarship, "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. My deepest thanks to Ted Sarandos, Scott Stuber, and our family at Netflix for their generous investment into the education of all present and future Boseman Scholars, and to President Wayne Frederick, Dean Phylicia Rashad, and Mr. David Bennett for their partnership and continued commitment to Chad’s legacy at Howard. I’m overwhelmed with gratitude and amazed at the love and dedication shown by so many continuing to honor my husband’s work. I know he’d be proud."

In its first year, the scholarship will be awarded to one recipient in each class and subsequently distributed to an incoming freshman on an annual basis. Awardees will exemplify exceptional skills in the arts and demonstrate financial need. Preference will be given to students in the dramatic arts who embody Boseman’s values, with a specific focus on demonstrating a drive for excellence, leadership, respect, empathy, and passion. The first awardees of the scholarship have already been announced. They are Sarah Long, a freshman in musical theatre; Shawn Smith, a sophomore studying acting; Janee Ferguson, a junior in theatre arts administration; and senior Deirdre Dunkin who studies dance.

It is with enormous pride that we announce our endowment of the Chadwick A Boseman Memorial Scholarship. While he was taken from us too soon, his spirit is with us always in his work and the good that he has inspired," said Ted Sarandos, Netflix co-CEO and chief content officer. "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. We are grateful to Simone and Chadwick’s whole family and our partners at Howard University for making this possible." To learn more about the Chadwick A Boseman Memorial Scholarship, you can contact finearts@howard.edu.