Spelman College’s 137th Commencement Ceremony is set to be graced by the presence of Emmy award-winning actress, director, and executive producer Angela Bassett as the keynote speaker.
In recognition of her outstanding contributions to the arts, Bassett will also receive an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree from the prestigious institution.
Renowned for her iconic performances in films such as “Malcolm X,” “How Stella Got Her Groove Back,” “Black Panther,” and “Mission Impossible: Fallout,” Bassett’s impact on the cinematic landscape has been profound.
Her breakthrough role in the critically acclaimed “What’s Love Got to Do with It” earned her an Oscar nomination and solidified her status as a Hollywood legend.
Spelman College President Helene D. Gayle, M.D., MPH expressed the institution’s honor in welcoming Bassett to inspire the graduating Class of 2024.
Gayle lauded Bassett’s influential work on and off the screen, citing her as an exemplary figure for Spelman students to emulate in their future endeavors.
Known for her powerful oratory skills, Bassett’s previous speeches have left a lasting impression. Earlier this year, she delivered a memorable address upon receiving an honorary Oscar at the Academy’s 14th Governors Awards.
The “9-1-1” star celebrated Black trailblazers and left the audience with poignant words from actress Lena Horne.
Spelman’s commencement weekend will also feature the recognition of other prominent Black women. Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson will be presented with an honorary Doctor of Laws degree, while Atlanta journalist Rose Scott will receive the National Community Service Award.
The commencement ceremony is scheduled for Sunday, May 19, at the Georgia International Convention Center (GICC), where Bassett and other distinguished honorees will inspire and uplift the graduating class of 2024.
The Baccalaureate Ceremony on Saturday, May 18, will feature an address by social justice minister Reverend Dr. Yvette Flunder, marking a momentous occasion for the 504-degree candidates set to embark on their future journeys.
