Chadwick Boseman’s Wife Accepts NAACP Image Award And Delivers Heartfelt Speech: ‘Please Get Screened’

Taylor Simone Ledward Boseman accepted NAACP Image Awards on behalf of her late husband Chadwick Boseman. The actor posthumously earned two awards for his roles in “Da 5 Bloods” and “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”.

“As always, he would give all honor and glory to the most high God. He would thank his Mom and Dad. And he would give honor to the ancestors as we now honor him,” said Ledward Boseman during her virtual acceptance speech for Chadwick’s Outstanf Actor in Motion Picture award.

She adds, “Thank you NAACP Image Awards for always giving him his flowers. He was an uncommon artist and an even more uncommon person. But the manner in which we lost him is not uncommon at all, not in our communities.”

Wife Pays Tribute to Chadwick With Powerful Call to Action During NAACP Speech

After giving thank you remarks for the award, Ledward Boseman immediately shared life-changing statistics. She revealed that Black people are 20% more likely to be diagnosed with colon cancer. She went on to say that Black people are 40% more likely to die from it.

During her heartfelt speech, Ledward Boseman shared a call to action that could save lives.

“If you are 45 years of age or older, please get screened. Don’t put it off any longer. Please get screened,” she said.

“This disease is beatable if you catch it in its early stages. So you don’t have any time to waste — even if you have no family history and even if you think that nothing is wrong. And if you are younger than 45, please be proactive about your health. Know the signs and know your body. Listen to your body.”

She recommends going to StandUpToCancer.org/coloncancersymptoms for more information.

Two NAACP Image Awards for Outstanding Actor

Chadwick’s life work will continue to be recognized. Boseman received an outstanding supporting actor award for “Da 5 Bloods.” He also received an award for outstanding actor in a motion picture for his role in “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.” His co-star, Viola Davis, won the outstanding actress in a motion picture award for her work in the film. During her acceptance speech, she gave a shoutout to Boseman saying, “And to the beautiful Chadwick Boseman, I love you Chad!”

The NAACP Image Awards show was created to recognize and celebrate the achievements of Black artists and entertainers. Started in 1967, the awards ceremony has been a crucial platform to honor Black talent that is traditionally underrepresented in mainstream media.

During a virtual press event after the ceremony, Viola Davis spoke about the impact of the NAACP.

“We belong in the same conversion as everyone else. It’s because a lot of times we are forgotten or not held in as much esteem as sometimes our white counterparts. [This] is why we need the NAACP Image Awards.”

She adds, “We are now harnessing all of our talent, all of our ingenuity and we are literally demanding to be seen.”

Because of organizations like the NAACP, Chadwick’s work will live on forever.