Howard Alumna and Hollywood Costume Designer Marci Rodgers Returns to Campus, Shares Insights on Storytelling and Creative Success
By Chad Eric Smith, Director of Strategic Communications and Marketing, Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts
Howard University alumna and acclaimed costume designer Marci Rodgers returned to campus on November 3, 2026, for an engaging conversation with students in Professor Danielle Preston's stage makeup class at Howard University's Oddfellows Building. During the visit, Rodgers shared insights from her career in film, television, and entertainment while reflecting on the experiences and relationships that helped shape her journey.
The visit came just one day before the November 4 premiere of The Greatest, an eight-episode biographical sports drama limited series on Amazon Prime Video chronicling the life and rise of legendary boxer, humanitarian, and cultural icon Muhammad Ali. Rodgers served as costume designer for the series, which stars Jaalen Best as Ali and Omari Hardwick as his father, Cassius Clay Sr.
Throughout the conversation, Rodgers offered students an inside look at the creative process behind bringing historical figures and fictional characters to life, emphasizing the importance of research, collaboration, mentorship, and remaining grounded in one's artistic identity.
From Howard to Hollywood
Before establishing herself as a costume designer, Rodgers pursued a career in higher education administration, including serving as an assistant director of admissions at Howard University School of Law. Although she had not followed a traditional path into theatrical design, her growing interest in storytelling through clothing eventually led her to pursue a new professional direction.
Central to that transition was her relationship with the late Reggie Ray, a respected costume designer and mentor whose influence extended throughout Howard's artistic community.
Rodgers recalled observing Ray on campus years before she knew him personally, never imagining that he would eventually become one of the most influential figures in her life and career. Under his mentorship, she gained practical experience and developed the confidence to pursue graduate studies in costume design at the University of Maryland.
She also reflected on the emotional significance of continuing Ray's legacy, particularly as she now finds herself sharing lessons with emerging artists much as he once did with her.
Her professional breakthrough came through an encounter with filmmaker Spike Lee, which helped open the door to collaborations on projects including Chi-Raq and She's Gotta Have It. Her subsequent credits include BlacKkKlansman, Passing, Till, and Michael, the biographical film about Michael Jackson.
Bringing History and Character to Life
During the student question-and-answer session, Rodgers discussed the extensive research required to design costumes for productions depicting recognizable historical figures.
For The Greatest, she described working closely with actors to understand the people they were portraying, including a particularly meaningful fitting with Omari Hardwick. When both initially struggled to fully connect with his character, an extended conversation helped establish a shared understanding that informed the design process.
Rodgers emphasized that costume design extends far beyond selecting clothing. It requires careful attention to historical context, character development, movement, and the relationship between an actor's performance and the visual world of a production.
She also discussed her work on Michael, including the challenge of recreating some of the entertainer's most recognizable looks while ensuring that the costumes accommodated the physical demands of Jaafar Jackson's performance.
For Rodgers, authenticity is not simply about reproducing a particular garment. It is about understanding how clothing contributes to the larger story being told.
Lessons in Artistry, Collaboration, and Purpose
Students also asked Rodgers about navigating emotionally demanding productions, collaborating with actors and directors, and maintaining creative integrity across theatre, film, television, and live entertainment.
Reflecting on Till, Rodgers described the emotional responsibility of designing costumes for a film centered on the life and murder of Emmett Till. She recalled how recreating historical moments involving Till and his mother, Mamie Till-Mobley, required both meticulous attention to detail and sensitivity to the humanity behind the story.
Throughout the discussion, Rodgers encouraged students to approach their work with curiosity, discipline, and humility. She emphasized the importance of reading scripts closely, asking thoughtful questions, respecting collaborators, and recognizing that professional relationships can have an impact long after an initial encounter.
She also spoke about the influence of her Chicago upbringing, particularly her parents' distinctive approaches to fashion, music, and personal presentation. Those early observations, she explained, continue to inform her understanding of character, culture, and storytelling.
Her reflections reinforced a central message for aspiring artists: creative success requires more than talent. It demands preparation, persistence, a willingness to learn, and the courage to pursue opportunities that may initially seem beyond reach.
Rodgers' return to Howard offered students an opportunity to engage directly with an accomplished alumna whose career continues to connect artistic excellence with cultural storytelling. Her journey also served as a reminder of the lasting influence of mentorship and the role Howard plays in preparing artists to shape the stories that reach audiences around the world.
The Greatest premiered November 4, 2026, on Amazon Prime Video.
