T’Challa is headed to Howard!
Chadwick Boseman, the Black Panther himself, has been tapped to deliver the commencement address to Howard University’s class of 2018.
Boseman, a Howard alum, starred in Marvel’s Black Panther with the film smashing box office records and proving that diversity in Hollywood matters.
The actor also recently hosted Saturday Night Live with musical guest Cardi B, bringing T’Challa along for “Black Jeopardy.”
On Wednesday, Howard University President, Dr. Wayne A. I. Frederick said in a statement, “It is an incredible honor and privilege for the Howard University community to welcome back home one of its native sons, Chadwick Boseman, to deliver the 2018 commencement address. He has played some of the most iconic African Americans that have transformed history, including Jackie Robinson, James Brown and Howard’s own Thurgood Marshall. His recent role in the blockbuster film “Black Panther” reminds us of the excellence found in the African diaspora and how Howard continues to be a gem that produces the next generation of artist-scholars, humanitarians, scientists, engineers, and doctors. Mr. Boseman exemplifies the monumental heights and levels Howard graduates can achieve by using the skills and knowledge they acquired at the university.”
Delivering the Howard commencement address is just one of the many accomplishments the actor will achieve this year. Boseman is set to appear in the upcoming Avengers: Infinity War and recently signed on to star in Expatriate, a film he co-wrote with his writing partner Logan Coles, another Howard alum. The film, which is set to be directed by Oscar-winner Barry Jenkins, is Boseman’s first feature writing credit.
The actor expressed excitement over returning to his alma mater, adding, “I’m excited to return to the Mecca in celebration of the achievements of our illustrious students. Let’s listen, learn and build with one another.”
