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.

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.

Raphael Warnock, Tennessee State & Johnson C. Smith

Reverend Raphael Warnock has a busier schedule this May, as he is visiting two HBCUs to give commencement addresses. On May 3, the Georgia Senator and Morehouse alumnus will make his way to Tennessee State University. A few weeks later, on May 19, he'll deliver a speech at Johnson C. Smith University. Warnock has been the pastor at Ebenezer Baptist Church since 2005; the same church that both Dr. Martin Luther King Sr. and Jr. pastored at in the mid to late 20th century.

Robin Givens, University of Arkansas Pine-Bluff

The University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff tabbed actress Robin Givens as their commencement speaker for their ceremony on May 11. Many will recognize Givens for her roles in the ABC sitcom Head of the Class, The Women of Brewster Place, Boomerang, The Game, House of Payne, and Riverdale.

Rashida Jones, University of the District of Columbia

Rashida Jones, the President of MSNBC, is speaking at the University of the District of Columbia on May 11. A graduate of Hampton University, Jones is the first Black woman to run a major cable news network after she succeeded Phil Griffin in 2021.

Antoine Bethea, Elizabeth City State University

Elizabeth City State University is shaking up the list of commencement speakers a little bit by bringing in a former athlete. Antoine Bethea, a product of Howard University and a former Pro Bowl safety in the NFL, will address the university on May 4. A sixth-round pick in the 2006 NFL Draft, Bethea enjoyed a 14-year career in the NFL, primarily with the Indianapolis Colts.

Deborah Roberts and Al Roker – Fisk University

The students at Fisk University are getting a double-header of speakers in the form of married couple Al Roker and Deborah Roberts. Roberts works as a journalist for ABC News, while Roker is the weather anchor on NBC's Today. The two are coming to Fisk on May 6.

Dr. Dawnn Lewis, Harris-Stowe State University

The commencement ceremony at Harris-Stowe State University will feature Dr. Dawnn Lewis on May 4. A woman of many talents, Lewis is known for her role in A Different World, though she has lent her voice to countless other television shows, movies, video games, and music albums.

Egypt Sherrod, Stillman College

Stillman College brought radio host and real estate savant Egypt Sherrod as its commencement speaker on May 11. Before her escapades into real estate and flipping property, Sherrod served as a radio host and has interviewed celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey, Leonardo DiCaprio, Martin Scorsese, James Brown, and Prince.

Other Commencement Speakers

  • John Stallworth and Rodger M. Smitherman – Alabama A&M University
  • Catherine Coleman Flowers – Alabama State University
  • Bishop Samuel Green Sr. – Allen University
  • Montell Jordan – Alcorn State University
  • Dr. Michael L. Lomax – Benedict College, Shaw University
  • Ivy McGregor – Bethune-Cookman University
  • Fawn Weaver – Bluefield State University
  • Wanda Durant – Bowie State University
  • Dr. D'Angelo Taylor – Central State University
  • Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. Austin Davis – Cheyney University
  • Nicole Nelson-Jean – Claflin University
  • Dr. Daniel Black – Clark Atlanta University
  • Emanuel Cleaver – Clinton College
  • Dr. Belle Wheelan – Coahoma Community College
  • Dr. Linda Singh – Coppin State University
  • Calvin Butler – Delaware State University
  • James E. Clyburn – Denmark Technical College
  • Ayo Davis – Dillard University
  • Tracie Davis – Edward Waters University
  • Jacqie McWilliams-Parker – Fayetteville State University
  • Latoya Myles, William “Scotty” Barnhart, Gregory Gerami – Florida A&M University
  • Larry Quinlan – Florida Memorial University
  • Daniel Wims – Fort Valley State University
  • Cleo Fields – Grambling State University
  • Howard Wesley – Hampton University
  • Bishop Kenneth Monroe – Hood Theological Seminary
  • Thasunda Brown Duckett – Howard University
  • Bishop Joseph W. Walker III – Huston-Tillotson University
  • Andre Dickens – Interdenominational Theological Center
  • Laphonza Butler and Carlton Reeves – Jackson State University
  • Bennie Thompson – Jarvis Christian University
  • Alma S. Adams – Langston University
  • Bryan Stevenson – Lincoln University of Pennsylvania
  • Dr. Shaun Harper – Lincoln University of Missouri
  • Maurice L. Coleman – Livingstone College
  • Darrin DeWitt Henson – Miles College
  • Archie Tucker, Sr. – Mississippi Valley State University
  • Anthony Welters – Morehouse School of Medicine
  • Sir Samuel Esson Jonah – Morgan State University
  • Charles Blow – Morris College
  • Don Scott – Norfolk State University
  • Stephanie G. Adams and Tamron Hall – North Carolina A&T State University
  • Trisha Bailey – North Carolina Central University
  • Phil Griffith – Prairie View A&M University
  • “Pinky” Cole Hayes – Savannah State University
  • DeVone Holt – Simmons College of Kentucky
  • Rev. Charles W. Brooks – Saint Augustine's University
  • Hill Harper – Talladega College
  • Dr. Joseph H. Silver, Sr. – Texas College
  • Jasmine Crockett – Texas Southern University
  • Marcia Fudge – Tougaloo College
  • Dr. Lesly Wilson James and Dr. Dietra Y. Trent – Tuskegee University
  • Keisha Lance Bottom – University of the Virgin Islands
  • L. Douglas Wilder and Robert C. “Bobby” Scott – Virginia State University
  • Dr. Johnnetta B. Cole – Virginia Union University
  • Benjamin Franklin Chavis Jr. – Voorhees University
  • Roland Martin – Wilberforce University
  • Dr. Marla Federick – Wiley University
  • Dyamond ShaRae Carr and Faith A. Parker – Winston-Salem State University
  • John C. Lechleiter – Xavier University of Louisiana