The Diaspora African Forum (DAF) has held a ceremony to honour the late Chadwick Aaron Boseman who lost his life on August 28, 2020 after a four-year battle with colon cancer.
The memorial ceremony was in partnership with the Diaspora Coalition and took place today, September 17 at the DAF premises located behind the WEB. DuBois Centre in Accra.
Boseman’s name was added to the historical Sankofa Memorial Wall, which has paid respects to prominent people of African descent in the diaspora who have made a significant impact in the Black community.
His name was added among other historical figures who have been honoured in the past including and most recently African American Congressman John Robert Lewis.
Ambassador Erieka Bennett, Head of Mission – DAF, said they were celebrating the fact that this young dynamic man came to the Earth to make a difference.
“We just want to send our condolences from Africa to the rest of the world, said, Ambassador Bennett who added, “Chadwick’s role as Black Panther delighted children and adults around the world, he played T‘Challa a super hero and leader of Wakanda. May his soul rest in perfect peace.’’
Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, whose speech was delivered by her Deputy, Ziblim Iddi said Chadwick’s life on Earth was extraordinarily watered by his gentleness of soul and brilliance both on set and in real life.
Through his work, he managed to light a torch for people of African descent, for Africa the ancestral home, and for the African American struggle.
T – Morgan Dixon, an alumnus of Howard University where Chadwick also schooled also paid glowing homage to the Black Panther star. “… Chadwick was not just an artist or an actor but he was active in redefining everything black,” she said.
Youth Ambassador for Diaspora Affairs, Office of the President Jake Obeng-Bediako said, the life of Boseman, albeit short had inspired and will continue to inspire many a youth of African descent to work together to see the fictional Wakanda brought to real life.
Boseman was best known for his role as T’Challa the Black Panther, in four Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) films. His greatest success came with the movie ‘Black Panther’, which marked a major milestone in the film industry.
The movie resonated with audiences globally and earned over $3 billion in box-office sales proving that films with a primarily Black cast, can achieve international success. ‘Black Panther made an enormous cultural footprint for representing a Black superhero and for dealing with issues faced by people of African descent unlike any other film.
News of the actor’s death shocked the world because Boseman had not publicly discussed his cancer diagnosis. The fact that he was battling with a deadly illness and still filming movies between chemotherapy treatments and surgeries displayed his work ethic and level of commitment in playing roles that would make an impact for Black people.
Boseman filmed several movies including ‘Black Panther’, ‘Marshall‘, and ‘Da 5 Bloods’ while undergoing treatment.
An initiative of DAF, the Sankofa Memorial Wall is an important way of honouring Black peope from the diaspora and leave a legacy in memoriam.
DAF says it recognized how significant Boseman’s life was and felt honouring him was of great importance for the Black community.
One comment
Donna Lewis
September 21, 2020 at 11:03 pm
Thank you for honoring Mr. Boseman and allowing more people of African decent to be more aware of the true Africa.
I pray that I can bring my family to view the memorial in person.
Blessings