Who: The Chadwick Boseman Foundation for the Arts, with Anomaly.

What: A new brand positioning and visual identity for the non-profit, which supports a new generation of Black artists and shares stories and culture from across the African diaspora—a cause that was important to the late actor.

When & Where: The identity was introduced with a website relaunch, but also includes a social strategy, toolkit and communications, and merchandise.

Why: While Boseman is most famous in popular culture as the Black Panther, and for his on-screen performances in movies including 42, Marshall, and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, he was also an advocate for the arts at Howard University, which renamed its college of fine arts after him. And in 2021 Netflix endowed a $5.4-million scholarship to Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts to provide incoming students with a four-year scholarship to cover the full cost of tuition.

This is the official launch of the Chadwick Boseman Foundation of the Arts, and Simone Ledward-Boseman, Chadwick’s wife and CBFA’s board president, wanted branding and a visual identity that would help it stand out from other arts non-profits, as well as resonate with Black artists who could benefit from CBFA, and appeal to possible donors.

“Simone Ledward-Boseman, has a clear vision of bringing Chadwick Boseman’s legacy to life through the critical support of creative endevaours within the Black community,” said Candace Borland, Anomaly partner and president.

The agency wanted to show how CBFA brings together artists, donors, and members of the community to amplify the stories and voices of young Black creatives across America.

“Understanding the important role that art plays in culture and community was key to how Anomaly positioned the foundation’s communications,” said Borland. “Underscoring the importance of supporting, protecting and honouring the essence and tradition of creativity and storytelling that stretches across generations within the African Diaspora is at the core of the foundation’s strategy.”

How: “We’re telling the story of Black joy, art, and excellence, all anchored in the legacy of not only Chadwick Boseman, but of the entire African Diaspora,” said Borland. Here’s how the agency describes the thee key design elements of the new identity:

• The logo: The Crown is a spark of light that was inspired by and represents the people of the African Diaspora. It is grounded in an opening and unlocking of potential, and is surrounded by threads weaving together the past, present and future of the Black community’s journeys, stories, and legacies.
• The wordmark: “For the Arts” is thoughtfully handwritten as a nod to the humanity and individuality that the foundation is inspired by and supports. The handwriting also pays homage to Chadwick’s legacy of handwritten notes, adding his own thoughtfulness to the everyday.
• The colour palette: The brand colour palette is inspired by and derived from the sunsets and sunrises of the ancestral plane. A balance of soft and bold reflects a deep connection to Chadwick’s roots and legacy.

And we quote: “In the not-for-profit space there can often be a transactional feel to the foundations that exist, and with the humanity and warmth of Chadwick’s legacy, we have an opportunity to create an emotional connection with the artistic and donor community.”— Candace Borland, Anomaly partner and president