I write this as my thoughts are on one of my favorite actors, Chadwick Boseman, who passed away just days ago from cancer, at the age of 43.
I’m not big into superhero films, but when Black Panther hit the silver screen it was a slam dunk for me. Having lived in Senegal for four years—with travels to numerous African countries over the course of my career, I was riveted with the world of Wakanda, its strong women and Chadwick’s noble King T’Challa.
Chadwick portrayed other leaders who broke barriers with courage and commitment—Jackie Robinson, James Brown, Thurgood Marshall—in equally memorable films.
But more impressive is the extraordinary leadership Chadwick portrayed in his personal life. Diagnosed with colon cancer in 2016, he nevertheless pursued his acting career and gave generously of his time and treasure to people and causes he cared about—never divulging the private pain he carried. Even in his last months, he was raising funds to provide PPE for front line workers in underfunded hospitals.
The public outpouring of sentiment for this man is touching, so loved he was by many!
In the swirl of everything going on in our world—a pandemic, fires and floods, economic hardships, social change, a pivotal election—the example of Chadwick staying so focused, calm, compassionate and steady in the swirl of his work and his life is powerful and worthy of remembrance.
Inhale and exhale this moment,
and thank God for the unique beauties and wonders of this day
Chadwick Boseman, in one of his last Twitters to his friend, Josh Gad