Chadwick Boseman will always be remembered as a man who made history. From being a famous actor, to an important role model for the younger generation— this is the legacy of  Chadwick Boseman.

  Boseman recently passed away on August 28, 2020 after a four year battle of colon cancer. Ever since that day, the nation has been remembering him and the great things he accomplished on Earth.

  His acting career first started after he graduated from Howard University studying to be a directing major. His first role was  on the  show Persons Unknown. Boseman became famous for his portrayal of  the iconic baseball player, Jackie Robinson in 42.

  As his acting credits continued to become more impressive, he began to shine brighter in the lead role of  T’Challa in Marvel’s Black Panther. Becoming the first predominately black Marvel movie, Black Panther and Boseman’s portrayal of the superhero made him a role model to many African Americans. 

  “I can’t believe I got to witness the incredible role he has played and how it has positively influenced people,” says Sanderson freshman, Ashley Sosa-Godines.

   While he was best known as a superhero in front of the cameras, Boseman was one behind the cameras as well. He advocated for important issues like equal pay within the movie industry.  Actress and co-star Sienna Miller, recently said Boseman would give a cut of his own paycheck to hers so they could earn an equal amount. “Chadwick ended up donating some of his salary to get me to the number that I asked for. He said that that was what I deserved to be paid.” Miller says.

 Not only did he support equal pay, he was also an important figure in the black community. In Black Panther he is seen as someone that accurately represents African culture for his character T’Challa. He even fought to use a proper accent. 

  After the film’s release back in 2018, many black Americans were appreciative of the different African cultures represented. They were interested in the foods, garments, and the culture overall. 

  Boseman helped to  end the stereotypes associated with Africa. Now many people see the continent as beautiful and even more black Americans are being appreciative of their African roots. 

  Sanderson Senior Alaysia Peavy goes into detail about how Boseman ended the stereotypes about Africa. “He really went against the stereotype that Africa is poor and mostly dirt. He showed how beautiful and strong it is. I really admire that about his character, and him as a person.”

  Boseman was even more of a role model to the younger generations of black children. Every child loves superheroes and it’s amazing that now every young black child can look up to Black Panther and see themselves. 

  Senior Isabelle Fertile says she can definitely see the impact he has made, “Later that year, for Halloween, my own brother dressed up as him (Black Panther) and he loved it so much. It was nice seeing him so happy that night. It’s like he knew he was strong because he was dressed as someone that is known as strong and looks just like him.”

 Chadwick Boseman was a true  leader and advocate for us all. Though he privately dealt with immense pain, it did not stop him from being the person he wanted to be, and accomplishing what he wanted to accomplish.