The HBCU Digest presents an annual guide to commencement speakers at historically black colleges and universities. Please contact us to update our list with newly announced keynote speakers.
Albany State University – Rapper, activist Talib Kweli
Alcorn State University – ESPN’s ‘SportsCenter’ anchor Jay Harris
Bennett College – Congresswoman Alma Adams
Bethune-Cookman University – US Education Secretary Betsy DeVos
Central State University – Widow of South Carolina Senator Clementa Pinckney, Jennifer Benjamin Pinckney
Dillard University – Entertainer, actress Janelle Monaé
Florida A&M University – Carnival CEO Arnold Donald, NAACP Chair Roslyn Brock, Trustee Thomas Dortch
Fort Valley State University – Actress Karan Kendrick
Grambling State Unversity – National Urban League President Marc Morial
Hampton University – Iconic mathematician, inspiration for ‘Hidden Figures’ Katherine Johnson
Howard University – United States Senator Kamala Harris
Kentucky State University – Pastor, social activist Otis Moss III
Morehouse College – Political pundit Van Jones
Morgan State University – Former US Vice President Joe Biden
North Carolina A&T State University – Boxer, motivational speaker Laila Ali
North Carolina Central University – Former NASA Astronaut Joan Higginbotham
Savannah State University – Entertainment executive Traci Adams
Shaw University – Radio personality Tom Joyner
South Carolina State University – South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster
Spelman College – Former US Presidential Adviser Valerie Jarrett
Tennessee State University – Tom Joyner
Tuskegee University – ESPN President John Skipper
University of the Virgin Islands – Motivational speaker, author Iyanla Vanzant
Virginia State University – Political commentator Jeff Johnson
Virginia Union University – Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe
Winston-Salem State University – Political Analyst Bakari Sellers
