Chadwick Boseman's powerful Howard University commencement speech (FULL) | USA TODAY

Chadwick Boseman delivered a moving commencement speech at his alma mater, Howard University, in 2018.
RELATED: bit.ly/3lynTOf
The "Black Panther" star and Howard alum cracked jokes about "Wakanda University, shared memories of his own time on "The Hilltop," and challenged new grads to "rather find purpose than a job or career."
Boseman died of colon cancer at age 43.
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[@Ahmiseysoh75]

In Jamaica we would describe him as a humble lion. So brave yet so unassuming.

[@mjbryant4710]

I had the honor of being on this platform, right behind him. Chadwick's speech had me in tears that day. I have watched this video several times since 2018. Over and over ! There was no indication he was undergoing treatment for anything. Such a humble man. I was able to get a few photo ops with him. I will cherish them forever and this powerful speech!! Purpose !! Rest in perfect peace my fellow HU alumnae!!

[@gailtelias]

He is and always will be my mentor for life! He will remain in my heart and mind forever.

[@karlawilson3990]

nice memories

[@nealsmall9316]

Wow you met Chadwick Boseman?!

[@marygreen1994]

Beautiful memory❤

[@Unpopularopinion2024]

While his life was degenerating, he put his own life aside and focused on the well-being of other people. While battling cancer He smiled through it all And Not Once Froze

[@constantinentambo3498]

Purposeful life.... in Africa we call it "UBUNTU" meaning: i am, because you're

[@srivatsavyaddanapudi7772]

I had to watch this for my AP Lang class and when my teacher brought up his name, I got emotional man, this comment was spot on

[@raziaboyle2068]

This is the speech of a man who definitely set his own challenges to go all the way to the top & I believe that if God hadn't of chose him first, he would of made it all the way to The White House.

[@raziaboyle2068]

This man would of changed The Nation. Just watching how he projects his speech out effortlessly, is the makings of a man who would of made it all the way to the top, changing all the impurities of the world. When, we as a nation, realise & reconstruct our opinions, only then will be the recovery. As for this young man, he was born too early. The world isn't ready yet, to reunite, to see us all as one nation, one colour, one blood. No, unfortunately this is the makings of mankind itself. Redemption can't be bestowed onto people, only offered as a reconsideration. God chose this man for his beliefs and attributes, taking him straight to the top.

[@josephtaylor-kennedy1420]

You know what they call that?...an Angel. R.I. P. Brotha Chad

[@veronicagreene7502]

Wow.He really was the Black Panther. He was graceful, classy and had purpose in life.

[@thatsyouropinion9434]

That was beautiful ! He’s not gone he’s ascended to God.

[@kenny0904]

Thats your opinion

[@gwenrenee8641]

He stood there so graciously. When he recognized the professors and alumni some of which have departed this earth, he held it together perhaps knowing that he might be memorialized and remembered in this way. He stepped outside of his struggle to uplift and encourage. Look into his eyes and his non-verbal cues. He knew and so selflessly he encouraged. When he announced the names of those before him .............................

[@elickykibet3079]

He inspired us the black community that nothing is impossible, Rest in peace legend

[@chandlersimon2075]

This speech will be the one that sets me right when I am feeling sorry for myself. This speech will wake me up every day for the life I have left!

[@cherylcheryl8955]

Yes we did that. HU alumni. You know!!!😂😂❤❤

[@uchennae.3094]

He has been a blessing in my life 🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿 May his soul rest in peace. ✊🏿

[@jenniferscott5281]

Wow! What a powerful speech. He knew how to entertain the crowd at HU, as he entertained the world in Black Panther. Thank you Lord for sharing such an intelligent and WONDERFULLY spirited young man. Rest in peace my brother. Love from my heart.

[@fernfernster]

This man was a master of life

[@metoo350]

Thank you my brother, you truly have fulfilled your purpose...when we stand, we stand with purpose. When we fall, we rise up because we have a purpose.. I heard you and I am inspired. You spoke to my spirit....thank you again. Always in spirit and love...💐

[@pennywisepuma2255]

Hits so much harder now, rest in peace king

[@uhu597]

At this point, he'd been battling cancer for two years already. RIP, Dr Boseman.

[@eklektikTechno]

What’s impressive he’s pulling all this from experience and memories speaking in real time from the heart no notes or queue cards RIP Chad 🤜🏾✊🏾🙏🏾

[@stephaniehardy7718]

Praise God for this man.

[@blessingshenjere484]

He was a warrior indeed and I’m sure it was faith in God that strengthened him in all his battles Rest In Peace Wakanda Forever. Will always love you, respect you our Black warrior and Model!!

[@DorothyOzmaLover]

We're so graced that you share this since we've lost Chadwick and many of us including myself as a guitarist are mourning and honoring him. As a guitarist performing originals for bk trailers that included Black Panther and as a follower of Chadwick Boseman, I lament his passing and yet wish him a hymn. Chadwick will be dearly missed as an actor and as a representative for various peoples. My personal favorite films with Boseman will always be "Get on Up" and "21 Bridges

[@prinxesva]

i like how he stuttered a little and someone in the audience yelled “come onn!!” telling him to not be nervous✨🕊❤️

[@dama2614]

Thank you Lord for not calling him home BEFORE he completed Black Panther! Thank you Lord for the time we had with him! He's Fulfilled his Purpose! He wasn't meant to be here long! Praying for his Family, Friends and Fans!

[@j.davila4523]

A goddamn legend! Rest easy chadwick 💓

[@debnana4922]

It’s May 2024 and this has brought me so much hope I can relate to his loss of an opportunity because I spoke up. Thank you God for leading me to this video and thanks for the blessing Chadwick shared that’s still encouraging many of us to find our purpose even in adversity With love ❤️ from Lusaka 🇿🇲

[@jamieihenacho6472]

He’s amazing man R💔I💔P🕊

[@d.s.jackson8490]

Heaven is The Love we touch Every time we pray, So those who have Returned To God Are never far away.

[@myspedo]

RIP, my condelences to the Boseman family, When God has something for you it doesn't matter who stands against it, God will move someone who is holding you back away from a door and put someone there who will open it for you, 🙌❤🤝Thank you for sharing your passion and wisdom, may you rest in peace

[@fadwah100]

He had astounding charisma

[@Universalwillful]

Thank you for Reposting the speech. His passing is not only the loss for America but also for the fans all over the globe.

[@aaronm8143]

I hope you’re enjoying paradise.

[@crystalthompson885]

I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS MAN!!!!🥰🥰

[@keishagreen940]

Rest in peaceful HEAVEN, my dear friend 🙏 ❤!!!

[@purpleroyalty3290]

God bless you.

[@chrislong1633]

It’s crazy how powerful he is

[@wakeupbaron7504]

I cry....he never ever knock down from the bad destiny, he cherish what he’ve become until the last day of his life. He is the true legend.

[@quietmanallday]

1,600th like…WAKANDA FOREVER, Rest east Ta’challa 🙏🏼

[@florencedouglas8304]

What a Honor to be the 2018 Key Note Speaker from the University he graduated from "HOWARD" He was our Legend, Icon, Superhero, and BLACK PANTHER, T'CHALLA, KING WAKANDA FOREVER... His life was well lived and yet cut too short as my human nature would want him alive, but God who knew him Best and LOVED him more stretch out his arms and whispered in Chadwick's ear. My precious child well done thee work here on earth is completed. I've come to relieve your pain no more suffering rest from thee labour here on earth. Mr. Chadwick Aaron Boseman will be dearly missed and remembered by many across this Nation... To Chadwick's Family: He's not dead he's just away sleeping, for those who knows the Lord for yourself you will see him again. For all that knew him we know that he's HEALTHY and Free as the Angels sing Chadwick is entertaining them... R.I.P. Chadwick Aaron Boseman Rest in Power and Peace Florence Douglas

[@gotmypearls]

Watching this again is totally different now, knowing what he was enduring.

[@alpha2daquest885]

"The Fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge" This man clearly feared the Lord. All praises to the trinitarian God and Rest in peace, Chad who is truly resting in the presence of The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Jesus is the reason for the season.

[@sexychocolateable]

RIP Chadwick Boseman 😢💔

[@otmemphis.3816]

Powerful speech, thank you Chadwick, my purpose is clear to me. Rip Chadwick Boseman Wakanda forever 🙅🏾‍♂️

[@fyi9643]

Powerful speed

[@maeritarichard6251]

He was one of my favorite actor Rip!

[@jeremyreynolds8846]

Happy Birthday to Chadwick Boseman!

[@axswq]

Heaven was missing an angel.

[@TheProtagonist2020]

In Loving Memory Of Our King Chadwick Aaron Boseman (11/29/1976-8/28/2020)

[@gaileling1999]

Thank you 🙏🏽❤️

[@emerrieh]

Rest In Power, Chadwick!!❤❤

[@thesacredibis6723]

Prophetic speech from a lion of the tribe of Judah.

[@liliaowens5985]

I’ll miss you, forever.

[@user-dx6nb2hk6z]

Priceless

[@chrissylipford7937]

I love your speech I miss you and I love you rip. Mr.Chadwick Boseman

[@cherylcheryl8955]

I have nothing but LOVE FOR HU❤❤❤🎉🎉😅

[@gloriagwinn5883]

I. Loved it thank you

[@ssydney8601]

Great speech

[@megginguyen8115]

You are one cool avenger.

[@megginguyen8115]

Rest In Peace Chadwick Boston 😢

[@steffanoswald7917]

My daughter is a freshman this year. This speech was so incredibly powerful everyone in the world should hear it. I wish I would’ve been more aware.

[@constantinentambo3498]

Purposeful life.... in Africa we call it "UBUNTU" meaning: i am because you're

[@msbramble176]

THE GOAT!!!!

[@joyfultv7064]

r.i.p king 😔 👑 😭 🕊 ❤️

[@tamesagamble-adiamo6541]

God be All the Glory for the spirit of Humanitarian LOVE! He was and forever ♾ lives on in a massive amount of lives with his halo 😇 ☮️🕊shining 💫✨so bright for all of us to live by faith walk by faith regardless to the sight of so many of our realistic fights of oppression or illness or social status or hardships etc..

[@M3OverSeas]

RIP KING 👑 ❤🙏🏾

[@ishimwejeandedieu1928]

Rip Man!💪🏿

[@joyinthezone]

❤️❤️

[@kingviper689]

R.i.p chad

[@FourKaiju]

26:08 The best part of the speech I was waiting for.

[@JoeMama-jb7kz]

Wakanda forever 🙅🏻‍♂️😞

[@wornieenglish7515]

ASE! We Pray for your magical transformation into Arms of Your Ancestors and Divine Light...😎

[@howardjanvier4504]

When an individual is suffering, mentally, physically, emotionally, who is he to turn to, a family that cares, why would they leave knowing this person's struggles,, all this good stuff going on and they can't stop by and simply say hey, how's it going?

[@marcuswatson4910]

HBCUs are so important. Thankfully our President has re established and raised the importance and funding for HBCUs unlike his predecessor. They'll stay pumping out these GOATS like Samuel Jackson, Chadwick Boseman, Oprah, and Sean Diddy Combs to name a few.

[@lesliemartin443]

There is a unique education experience at an HBCU - no question.

[@user-sf6bj4ug8z]

Buon coraggio ragazzi tutti cuanti 🌄

[@user-dx6nb2hk6z]

Dear USA TODAY, Could you upload better quality of video? Best, James

[@Draggster_Evan04]

everyday is leg day

[@livepigmaster_431]

My teacher made me watch this

[@gwenrenee8641]

I'm on the inth time of watching this. And I am finally gonna pose this question;Who is the disinterested white guy in the background yawning and rolling his eyes. I so hope that he is not an educator, administrator or in any other role related to the well-being of the students. His body language and non-verbal cues speaks volumes.

[@user-gx9sr4rp7x]

قال الله سبحانه وتعالي بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم وَأَنْذِرْهُمْ يَوْمَ الْحَسْرَةِ إِذْ قُضِيَ الْأَمْرُ وَهُمْ فِي غَفْلَةٍ وَهُمْ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ (39) إِنَّا نَحْنُ نَرِثُ الْأَرْضَ وَمَنْ عَلَيْهَا وَإِلَيْنَا يُرْجَعُونَ صدق الله العظيم أَنْذِرْكمْ يَوْمَ الْحَسْرَةِ إِذْ قُضِيَ الْأَمْرُ وَانتمْ فِي غَفْلَةٍ وَلَا تؤْمِنُونَ (39) إِنَّا نَحْنُ نَرِثُ الْأَرْضَ وَمَنْ عَلَيْهَا وَإِلَيْنَا يُرْجَعُونَ اللهم انى بلغت اللهم فاشهد وانت خير الشاهدين

[@VictorMedeiros2310]

what is the purpose that this video was created?

[@progressivelibertarianview8832]

23:11

[@hermancolqughoun5865]

When YAHWEH is with u, who can stand against u?

[@pranabkalitarisipk8672]

mama Africa

[@learn1374]

*Protect Yourself from many deaths & disasters around the globe*. Short Prayer To invite the Heavenly Father into your life; Dear heavenly father, forgive me my sins,cast any devil from me and come and live in me . Amen, repeat it everyday. Make Sure you desist from any anything which is bad.E.g Smoking, taking too much alcohol, sexual immorality, Stealing, Killing,etc Get married if you can't control your sexual desires. Only the One who created us can protect us. *Forward to others*

[@adeltermason8036]

Amen. God bless you.

[@soccerkpop7275]

Present

[@ounmay3131]

សុំអង់គ្លេសខ្មែរបង

[@Jayfrompasadena]

🙅‍♂️

[@maydoe1783]

Allah yerhamak ya wahish

[@carolynjanise4086]

when you satisfy the belly of stereotypic lies, you'll always have to keep it full: for the moment you sell your soul, purpose "exits stage left."

[@Stephen..]

Did he ever learn ta rea

[@lynnmahan154]

I'd say he's pretty eloquent. Sincere. Heartfelt. Honest.

[@keithjaxelflores544]

I had the honor of being on this platform, right behind him. Chadwick's speech had me in tears that day. I have watched this video several times since 2018. Over and over ! There was no indication he was undergoing treatment for anything. Such a humble man. I was able to get a few photo ops with him. I will cherish them forever and this powerful speech!! Purpose !! Rest in perfect peace my fellow HU alumnae!!