Black Panther star encourages graduates of his alma mater

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Chadwick Boseman, Marvel’s Balck Panther star and also as an ex-student at the Howard University in Washington, DC, delivered a powerful graduation speech to the new graduating class of 2018 on Saturday.

Boseman got his Bachelor degree in Fine Arts in 2000. He offered his stories of hard times throughout his career. He spoke about overcoming discrimination on his graduation speech and urged the 2018 graduates to “press on with pride and press on with purpose” since they will leave the university to tackle the future.

Howard University is often known as the “Mecca” of black education because it is one of the top historically black colleges in the country. “Many of you will leave Howard and enter systems and institutions that have a history of discrimination and marginalization,” he said about how important and formative that struggle could be.

Actor Chadwick Boseman addresses the 150th commencement ceremony at Howard University in Washington, US, Saturday. /VCG Photo‍

Boseman shared an anecdote story during his first television role in a soap opera. He acted a black man with an absent father and drug-addicted mother. “I found myself conflicted,” he said. “The role seemed to be wrapped up in assumptions about us as black folk – hardly any positivity.” After he expressed his concerns to the producers, he was fired.

“What do you do when the principles and standards that were instilled in you here at Howard close the doors in front of you? Sometimes you need to get knocked down before you can really figure out what your fight is,” Boseman told the students.

“Purpose is an essential element of you,” Boseman stressed. “It is the reason you are on the planet at this particular time in history. Whatever you choose as a career path, remember the struggles along the way are only meant to shape you for your purpose.”

Boseman encouraged Howard’s class of 2018 to seek the harder and more rewarding path to search for purpose rather than only a job or a career.

He ended the commencement with his famous “Wakanda salute” and gave “Howard forever” salute.