Students of the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts and members of the Howard community assembled at the Ira Aldridge Theatre in all-white attire last week to honor the legacy of the late Chadwick Boseman (B.A. ‘00).
Two years ago, the College of Fine Arts Council officially declared Aug. 28, the day of Boseman’s passing, as Chadwick Boseman Day.
Skylar Wilson, a junior musical theater major and theater arts administration minor, is the current executive council president for the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts. She highlighted the importance of the Howard community coming together to honor Boseman’s impactful legacy.
“We really wanted it to be a Howard community-wide thing. It is important because it helps give us a good start to the school year. It pushes us forward and boosts our energy,” Wilson said. “This year’s theme, B.O.L.D, is about being brave and open-minded.”
Upon entry, attendees were met with art paying homage to Boseman, made by fine arts students Isabella Murphy, Jessica Brathwaite, Darius Scott, Eden Radcliff, Jasmyn Marsh, Jazzlyn Rainey, Keith Robinson, Alanna Fields and Tatum Sabin.
Once seated, the audience was welcomed by Nia Imani and Uchenna Ukonu, the 2024-2025 Mr. and Miss Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts, who introduced this year’s theme, B.O.L.D, which stands for bravery, open-mindedness, love and determination.
A performance from Howard University’s “Showtime” marching band followed and brought the crowd to its feet. After, there was a performance of “Fair,” a song from the musical “Sonnets and Soul” written by Professor Michael McElroy of the musical theatre department.
The Delta Nu Chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity engaged the crowd during a performance of Sam Cooke’s, “A Change is Gonna Come.” As they sang, the crowd provided the beat through stomps and claps.
Following that, Eric Poole directed the Howard University Chorale Choir during their performance of “Total Praise” by Richard Smallwood.
The event also featured a performance from the Howard Gospel Choir, who sang “No Woman No Cry” by Tems, from the “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” soundtrack, as a tribute to Boseman’s role as renowned character Black Panther.
“The performance was really amazing. Seeing different elements, there was no other choice than to be fully submerged in it,” Micheal Dash Ⅱ, a junior fashion design major said.
Members of the acting department performed a reading of a scene from “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” Boseman’s final film appearance. The performance’s banter produced much laughter from the audience.
“I love seeing the art that we create, how the legacy is still continuing and the greatness of it all,” Ihuoma Mgbahurike, a freshman film and television production major said.
Towards the end of the event, Take 6 Productions premiered the official trailer for their project “Who’s Next?,” a dance-based short film dedicated to Boseman’s legacy.
The group is made up of Disney Storytellers Fund Scholars Kaylee Faison, Alexus Sears, Paige Piper, Jaida Nutall, Janelle Acosta and Thalía Norwood and features six dance students.
“Balancing being in school and producing this amazing film with so many arts, such as dance, in honor of Chadwick Boseman’s legacy was amazing,” Dash said.
The Chadwick Boseman College of Fine Arts Executive Council closed the evening with a B.O.L.D message for the audience, encouraging them to display the courage exemplified the event as they matriculate through Howard and into the real world.
“We are so excited to continue with this B.O.L.D theme to make sure every single one of you guys in the College of Fine Arts feel empowered to showcase yourself in your boldest light,” Wilson said.
Copy edited by Anijah Franklin
