Chadwick Boseman’s Widow Accepts His Posthumous Critics’ Choice Award

Chadwick Boseman’s widow Taylor Simone Ledward honored the late actor on Sunday when she accepted his posthumous Critics’ Choice Award for Best Actor for his performance in “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.”

“It has to be said aloud that for those of us who know Chad intimately, personally, professionally, those he taught, those he gave a word of advice, those who taught him — it is so hard to find a celebratory feeling in these moments,” Ledward said, according to People.

“His work deserves this, his work in this film deserves this, he deserves this,” she continued.

Boseman died last August following a private four-year battle with colon cancer. He was 43 years old.

Ledward, who secretly wed the actor less than a year before his passing, added how Boseman would have thanked God “first and foremost in everything,” and how “he would always honor his mother and his father.”

“He would always acknowledge those who came before him, those who charted the path, and those who gave him their gifts,” she continued.

Ledward also said Boseman would stress, “The importance of this story. About the importance of Black voices telling Black stories.”

“And, as I recently read, societies grow great when all men plant trees in their shade. They know they may never sit, and our society may be a far cry from great, but I know that the seeds you planted will grow into forests. And one day we too will be tall enough to reach the heavens. Thank you, Critics’ Choice and thank you, Chad,” she continued.

Last week, Ledward accepted a 2021 Golden Globes award for Best Actor in a Drama Motion Picture on his behalf. She previously accepted the Actor Tribute prize at the Gotham Awards in January

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