bernard
THEE Realist
HBCUs across the country are bringing out the heavy hitters for their 2024 commencement addresses. Politicians, actresses, doctors, and celebrities of all kinds are coming to different HBCU campuses to instill their wisdom in the graduating class of 2024. Listed below are the notable confirmed speakers this graduation season.
Morehouse extended the invitation to the White House in September, before the start of the Israel-Hamas conflict. Several faculty members expressed concerns, per an NBC News report, over Biden’s appearance considering his office’s handling of the situation. Morehouse and AUC students may have a mixed reaction to the president’s appearance as over 1,100 signed a petition to publicly support the Palestinian people in February.
Morehouse’s commencement begins on May 19.
Angela Bassett, Spelman College
Students within the AUC will be lucky to hear from one of the greatest actresses of our time, Angela Bassett. One of the 2023 Time Women of the Year, Bassett will be delivering her address at Spelman College also on May 19. The Golden Globe-award-winning actress has captivated movie-goers for over 30 years, appearing in movies such as What’s Love Got to Do With It, Malcolm X, Boyz n the Hood, and Notorious. Most recently, she joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Queen Ramonda in the Black Panther series of movies.
Kirk Franklin, Morris Brown College
World-renowned gospel artist Kirk Franklin will lend his voice and wisdom to the graduating students of Morris Brown College on May 18, 2024. The multiple-time Grammy-award-winning artist just visited fellow HBCU Norfolk State during their Courageous Conversations series. He talked about fatherhood in the Black community, which has been an important topic for him as he recently met his father last year.
Joe Biden, Morehouse College
For its 140th commencement ceremony, Morehouse College is bringing in the 46th President of the United States, Joe Biden. This will be Biden’s third address at an HBCU following previous tours to South Carolina State and Howard University. He also traveled to the university as the vice president in the Obama Administration, and again in 2022 with Kamala Harris promoting voting rights.Morehouse extended the invitation to the White House in September, before the start of the Israel-Hamas conflict. Several faculty members expressed concerns, per an NBC News report, over Biden’s appearance considering his office’s handling of the situation. Morehouse and AUC students may have a mixed reaction to the president’s appearance as over 1,100 signed a petition to publicly support the Palestinian people in February.
Morehouse’s commencement begins on May 19.
Angela Bassett, Spelman College
Students within the AUC will be lucky to hear from one of the greatest actresses of our time, Angela Bassett. One of the 2023 Time Women of the Year, Bassett will be delivering her address at Spelman College also on May 19. The Golden Globe-award-winning actress has captivated movie-goers for over 30 years, appearing in movies such as What’s Love Got to Do With It, Malcolm X, Boyz n the Hood, and Notorious. Most recently, she joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Queen Ramonda in the Black Panther series of movies.
Kirk Franklin, Morris Brown College
World-renowned gospel artist Kirk Franklin will lend his voice and wisdom to the graduating students of Morris Brown College on May 18, 2024. The multiple-time Grammy-award-winning artist just visited fellow HBCU Norfolk State during their Courageous Conversations series. He talked about fatherhood in the Black community, which has been an important topic for him as he recently met his father last year.
