The voices we will miss: Chadwick Boseman
This ground-breaking actor, advocate, mentor, and leader taught us what purpose is really about.
Chadwick Boseman (1976–2020) was an American actor and playwright. After studying directing at Howard University, he landed his breakthrough performance as Jackie Robinson in the biopic film 42. Before achieving international fame with his role as T’Challa in Black Panther, Boseman portrayed historical figures [singer] James Brown and [Supreme Court Justice] Thurgood Marshall.
Boseman’s sudden passing hit me hard. Maybe it’s because I lost both my grandmother and father within a few years of each other. There was something about him that really resonated with me. Thinking about it more and more each day, I think it was his generosity of spirit. This is something that defined the lives of my father and grandmother as well. Boseman spent his life putting others before himself. He continued to do this through his health struggles.
When asked about whether he believed he was living his ‘true purpose’ this was his answer:
“I feel that I’m living my purpose. But the thing about purpose is that it unfolds to you more and more every day. You could be living in what was revealed to you at a particular time, and then you might get stagnated because there’s more that you’re supposed to do. It doesn’t just stop as you do one thing. I think it’s [about] being open to what you’re supposed to do at this moment and not getting stuck in the past. Purpose is not related to career or career. It’s related to what God put inside you that you’re supposed to give to the world.”
If that doesn’t stop you in your tracks I don’t know what will. Boseman summed up what ‘purpose’ is truly all about. Sharing our gifts by serving and helping others — through HIM.
