Netflix contributes $5.4 million toward Chadwick Boseman scholarship at Howard University

WASHINGTON — The late Chadwick Boseman’s memory will live on at his alma mater, thanks in large part to Netflix.

Howard University in Washington, D.C., confirmed on Monday that the streaming giant has committed $5.4 million as the first donor to the Chadwick A. Boseman Memorial Scholarship, established by Boseman’s wife, Simone Ledward-Boseman, WTOP reported.

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“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,” Ledward-Boseman said in a prepared statement.

“This endowment represents Chad’s devotion to the craft, his compassion for others and his desire to support future storytellers,” she added.

Boseman, who died of colon cancer last year at the age of 43, graduated from the historically Black university in 2000 with a fine arts degree in directing. His namesake scholarship fund will benefit students in Howard’s School of Fine Arts that was named after the “Black Panther” star in May, WTOP reported.

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According to The Washington Post, the first gifts have already been awarded to the following current students:

• Sarah Long, a freshman who studies musical theater.
• Shawn Smith, a sophomore in the acting program.
• Janee’ Ferguson, a junior in theater arts administration.
• Deirdre Dunkin, a senior studying dance.

Beginning next year, a first-year student will be selected each year to receive the scholarship, which covers full tuition for four years, valued at about $113,800, the Post reported.

Meanwhile, Howard officials confirmed to the newspaper that the scholarship targets students who “exemplify exceptional skills in the arts reminiscent of Mr. Boseman” and demonstrate a financial need.

Walt Disney Executive Chairman Bob Iger is also leading fundraising efforts for a state-of-the-art facility for the school’s operations, as well as an endowment for the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts, WTOP reported.

Boseman, whose powerful performances in such films as “42,” “Get on Up” and “Marshall” showcased his expansive talent beyond the Marvel Universe, was posthumously nominated for an Academy Award for his work in “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” — an adaptation of August Wilson’s 1982 production — that premiered on Netflix following a short stint in theaters, the Post reported.

“While he was taken from us too soon, his spirit is with us always in his work and the good that he has inspired,” Ted Sarandos, Netflix co-chief executive and chief content officer, said of Boseman in a prepared statement.

“(Boseman) 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,” Sarandos added.

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