Iconic HBCU Commencement Speakers

As the month of May begins to unfold, graduation season begins. After extensive planning, from photoshoots to celebration trips, it seems as if the ceremony itself flies by in an instant. There’s no debate that our HBCUs are the center of Black excellence, and over the years, we have seen many notable figures from our community share their own words of encouragement and advice to new graduates. 

Barack Obama 

Having the first African American President speak at your commencement is not only a flex, but I can only imagine the amount of knowledge and wisdom he provided to the room. In 2013, Morehouse College had the immense pleasure of having Barack Obama as the commencement speaker. In his speech, he briefly touched on the policies that would benefit the American people. But what stood out the most was how much he was speaking life into the graduating men. Obama encouraged them to find a broader purpose in their desired field; he wanted them to think about ways to impact our communities outside of just becoming a doctor or lawyer. “As Morehouse Men, you now wield something even more powerful than the diploma you’re about to collect — and that’s the power of your example.” 

Michelle Obama 

Just like her husband, Michelle Obama also has her own wave of influence amongst the Black community. In 2015, she gave the commencement address to the graduating class at Tuskegee University. During her speech, she flawlessly spoke on the rich history of Tuskegee and the notable alumni that came before them. First Lady, Michelle Obama, also related to the students when it came to facing certain pressures to live up to a certain legacy or standard. She wanted the graduates to understand that regardless of everything that may make you feel unqualified or unworthy, as long as you know who you are and are confident in your own beliefs and values, you only need to live up to your own expectations. “I want you all to stay true to the most real, most sincere, most authentic parts of yourselves.  I want you to ask those basic questions:  Who do you want to be?  What inspires you?  How do you want to give back?  And then I want you to take a deep breath and trust yourselves to chart your own course and make your mark on the world.”  

Denzel Washington 

In 2015, Denzel Washington graced Dillard University with his presence and delivered a speech that would leave the graduates filled with hope and the inspiration to keep putting in hard work even after the degree. Washington left the class with four pieces of advice to take with them, with the first one being “Keep God First.” Throughout the speech, he referenced back to always having faith and not being afraid to fail. He wrapped up by saying to the class, “Don’t just aspire to make a living, aspire to make a difference.”

Pharrell Williams

At the close of the 2021 Fall semester, legendary musician and producer, Pharrell Williams, came back home to Virginia to address the graduating class of Norfolk State University. He was also presented with an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters degree and honorary membership into NSU’s Spartan Legion Band. As someone who continuously pours into his own community, Williams encouraged the graduates to do the same. He wanted the students to understand that they are “never too small to instill fear in the establishment” and that it’s ok to challenge the status quo and create the community you want to live in. “We are the emerging majority. Don’t wait until Election Day. Vote with your wallets today, tomorrow, and the next day.”

Angela Bassett 

Last year, Hollywood superstar, Angela Bassett, spoke at the commencement for Spelman College and also received an honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts degree from the institution. Every year, Spelman does a great job in selecting a Black woman to address the graduating class, and last year was no different. Her twenty minute speech was nothing short of amazing and even referred to Spelman college as “the Mecca of Black excellence and Black womanhood.” Throughout her speech, Bassett uplifted the women but also pointed out the realism that comes with being a Black woman in America. “There will be times when you may feel like the unnamed Black woman, this is especially true when you come across people in your workplace and in your community, and your own home, who may not see your full humanity and all of your glory. But it’s in those moments that I want you to remember who you are, raise your head and embody the queen that you have been prepared to be.”

As more people are announced for this year’s commencement practices, it’ll be exciting to see who’s next to speak life into the graduating classes. Taraji P. Henson has already been confirmed to deliver the monumental speech at Spelman this year, and there’s no doubt that she will pour into the Spelmanites just as well as the other women did before her. Take what the speakers say and really apply it to life going forward. Like Denzel said in his speech: “Each one, teach one.”