2017 HBCU Commencement Speakers

Radio legend Tom Joyner, singer Janelle Monae, ESPN’s Jay Harris and political strategist Donna Brazile are among those who will inspire this year’s HBCU grads. See who else made the list below.

List of 2017 HBCU Commencement Speakers

Alabama State University – Rep. John F. Knight, Jr.

Albany State University- Bárbara Rivera Holmes and Karol Mason

Alcorn State University – ESPN’s ‘Sports Center’ anchor Jay Harris

Central State University – Widow of South Carolina Senator Clementa Pinckney, Jennifer Benjamin Pinckney

Bennett College-  Congresswoman  Alma Adams

Bethune -Cookman University -United States Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos

Claflin – Congressman Emanuel Cleaver II & Dr. Eddie S. Glaude Jr.

Delaware State University – U.S. Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester

Dillard University – Entertainer, actress Janelle Monaé

Fayetteville State University (FSU): FSU Chancellor James A. Anderson

Florida A&M University – Carnival CEO Arnold Donald

Florida Memorial University – Comedienne Sheryl Underwood

Fort Valley State University – Actress Karan Kendrick

Grambling State University – Marc Morial , President & CEO of National Urban League

Hampton University – Iconic mathematician, inspiration for ‘Hidden Figures’ Katherine Johnson

Howard University – United States Senator Kamala Harris

Jackson State University – Demarco Morgan

Jarvis Christian College- Reverend Frederick Haynes III

Kentucky State University – Pastor, social activist Otis Moss III

Meharry Medical College –  Radio personality Tom Joyner

Miles College – Veteran Democratic Strategist Donna Brazile

Morgan State University – Former U.S. Vice President Joe Biden

Morehouse College – Political Pundit Van Jones

North Carolina A&T University- Television Personality & Professional Boxer – Laila Ali

North Carolina Central University – Former NASA Astronaut Joan Higginbotham

Oakwood University – Dr. Leon Wilson, Interim President, Alabama State University

Savannah State University – Entertainment executive Traci Adams

Shaw University – Radio personality Tom Joyner

Spelman College – Senior Advisor to President Barack Obama, Valerie Jarrett

Tennessee State University –Radio personality  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

Voorhees College – Actress, director and dancer, Jasmine Guy

Winston-Salem State University – Political Analyst Bakari Sellers

XULA – U.S. Congressman Cedric L. Richmond