A Howard University alumnus has been selected byĀ The Walt Disney CompanyĀ for a very prestigious honor at its upcomingĀ D23 ExpoĀ presented by Visa.Ā Chadwick BosemanĀ will be one of fourteenĀ Disney LegendsĀ honored for their lasting contributions to DIsneyās iconic legacy. Most known for his celebrated role as the Black Panther, Boseman will be honored posthumously after passing away from colon cancer in August 2020. However, thanks to this award he will formally go down in history as one of the companyās most influential figures of all times.
The D23 Expo has served as Disneyās largest and most comprehensive fan experience in the world since 2009. The sold-out Expo takes place September 9, 10, and 11 and isĀ packed with eventsĀ at the Anaheim Convention Center near Disneyland. Attendees can expect to enjoy conversations and special celebrity appearances tied to Disneyās parks and brands (Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic).
Disneyās influence stretches over nearly 100 years, and this yearās D23 Expo will be centered around a Disney100 campaign. The āDā in D23 stands for Disney, while the ā23ā acknowledges when founder Walt Disney established the company in 1923. āFor nearly a century, Disney has been entertaining and inspiring people around the world,ā said Bob Chapek, CEO of The Walt Disney Company. āI canāt wait to give fans a first look at what we have in store for our hundredth anniversary, and how weāre using this occasion to celebrate all the fans and families who have welcomed Disney into their lives.ā
The D23 Expo will begin with a bang, featuring an opening ceremony that puts theĀ 35th Anniversary of the Disney Legends AwardsĀ front and center. The ceremony will be live streamed, and will include special guests and surprises. For one, fans can appreciate special musical performances from cast members of Disney Broadway productions likeĀ AladdinĀ andĀ The Lion King. In addition to Boseman, the Disney Legend honorees will include familiar faces likeĀ Anthony Anderson, a recent fellow graduate ofĀ Howard University. AndersonāsĀ black-ishĀ co-star Tracee Ellis Ross will also be honored, as well as Robāt Coltrin, Patrick Dempsey, Robert Price āBobā Foster, Jonathan Groff, Don Hahn, Josh Gad, Doris Hardoon, Idina Menzel, Chris Montan, and Ellen Pompeo. EmmyĀ® Award winner and key broadcast journalist winner Tamron Hall will host the award ceremony.
According to theĀ Walt Disney Archives, each Disney Legend embodies three special elements, each of which have representations on their award: āThe Spiralāstands for imagination, the power of an idea.Ā The Handāholds the gifts of skill, discipline and craftsmanship.Ā The Wand and the Starārepresent magic: the spark that is ignited when imagination and skill combine to create a new dream.ā Throughout his life, Chadwick Boseman demonstrated that he always had the essence that Disney Legends are made of.
During his 42 years on earth, Boseman built the career of a lifetime. He first got started with small roles inĀ Law & Order,Ā All My Children,Ā CSI: NY, andĀ ER. By 2008 he booked his first recurring role onĀ Lincoln Heights, then onĀ Persons Unknown. Yet his first big break came in 2013 when he played the role of Jackie Robinson inĀ 42. His success in that role led him to a secure blockbuster biopic āĀ playing James Brown in the hit filmĀ Get On Up.
Perhaps the most defining role of his career though, was his dual role of TāChalla and The Black Panther. As a key member of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), he first appeared inĀ Captain America: Civil War.Ā However whenĀ Black PantherĀ came out, it truly made history. The film becameĀ the first superhero movie nominated for an Oscar in Best Picture, won three Oscars total, and has since reached beyond $10 billion at the global box office since its release. He went on to play the role several more times, including inĀ Avengers: Infinity WarĀ in 2018 andĀ Avengers: EndgameĀ in 2019.
However before he became the iconic Black Panther, Boseman chose to develop his talents at Howard University. The South Carolina native graduated from the Washington, D.C. HBCU with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in directing.Ā As he accomplished feat after feat as an actor, writer and director post-graduation, he gained international recognition. However, he never forgot his roots. In 2018 returned to his alma mater as a commencement speaker and shared words that will last a lifetime. āI stand here today knowing that my Howard University education prepared me to play Jackie Robinson, Thurgood Marshall, and TāChalla,ā he said. He also shared how the personal standards he developed at the HBCU taught him to hold his head high and stand in integrity. āSometimes you need to get knocked down before you can really figure out what your fight is and how you need to fight it,ā Bosemen told the students. āSometimes you need to feel the pain and the sting of defeat to activate the real passion and purpose that God predestined inside of you.ā During his visit, the icon received an honorary degree, a Doctor of Humane Letters.
