Education

Class acts: This year's black commencement speakers

8:22 AM on 05/16/2011

Join Our Mailing List

Related News: Santorum may win primary but lose Republican race; Gingrich says Obama's comments on Martin 'disgraceful'; Obama speaks for black fathers: 'If I had a son, he'd look like Trayvon'

Share Bar

President Barack Obama smiles as he attends the commencement ceremony at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Saturday, May 1, 2010. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

With spring in full throttle, two things come to mind -- allergies (aah choo!) and commencement invitations galore. The next two months will be chock-full of seniors parading with puffed-chests because they will get to walk pass some black luminary at their graduation ceremony.

These black luminaries, taking the stage first, are leaders of stage and film, law professors, even our nation's chief executive officer and his first lady. Their stories will dazzle, make everyone laugh, and move as they will share their personal journey to success.

Enlarge

Previous Next

America’s favorite TV Dad-turned-curmudgeon, Bill Cosby, will deliver the commencement address at Hampton University this year. I can visualize the finger-pointing. The pudding impersonations. Hang in there, Hampton!

(Photo by Don Murray/Getty Images)
In a very public affront, Rutgers University offered Snooki of “Jersey Shore” $2,000 more than Nobel Laureate Toni Morrison. This kind of thing can get someone the “Bluest Eye.”

(AP Photo/Lisa Poole, FILE)
Veteran actor of film and stage, Denzel Washington, will deliver the University of Pennsylvania’s 255th commencement address.

(AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, file)
Michelle Obama will deliver this year’s commencement address at the historically black women’s college, Spelman. All I want to know is -- will she do the signature Obama bump with the graduates?

(AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Marc Morial, CEO and President of the Urban League, will deliver Howard University’s 2011 commencement. Note to fellow Bison, don’t hit Morial up for a job!

(Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, a Harvard alumna, is the first female president of Liberia -- and on the continent of Africa. Sirleaf will give the 360th commencement address at Harvard University.

(Photo by Ben Gabbe/Getty Images)
Harvard Law professor Charles Ogletree and Journalist Gwen Ifill will deliver the commencement address at Morehouse College this year. Will there be a debate? I always associate Ms. Ifill with debates.

(Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)
Alonzo King, renowned choreographer, delivered the commencement address at Cal Arts this year. His message was simple—“Don’t beg for jobs. Be Happy.” Something we can all benefit from.

(YouTube)
President Barack Obama delivered the commencement address for Miami Dade College this year. What better way to ensure thousands of new votes at one of the nation’s most diverse schools. Will the president sign graduation caps, too? Hope you’ve brushed up on your Spanish.

(AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
Ursula Burns, Chairman and CEO of Xerox Corporation, will deliver the address at MIT’s 145th Commencement. There’s a rumor that Aretha Franklin’s R-E-S-P-E-C-T will play as she walks to the podium.

(File Photo)