Angela Bassett Announced As Spelman College Commencement Speaker

Angela Bassett is headed to Atlanta. On Thursday (April 25), Spelman College announced the acclaimed actress as its keynote speaker for the institution’s 137th commencement ceremony. Additionally, the 65-year-old will receive an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree.

According to a press statement, the Spelman College Class of 2024 includes 504 degree candidates, receiving 325 Bachelor of Arts and 179 Bachelor of Science degrees. Mika Keziah Campbell and Nadia Scott have been named co-Valedictorians.

The ceremony is set for May 19 at the Georgia International Convention Center (GICC).

The private HBCU will also award an honorary degree – Doctor of Laws – to Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, as well as the National Community Service Award to highly acclaimed Atlanta journalist Rose Scott. Additionally, graduates will be addressed by Reverend Dr. Yvette Flunder during a Baccalaureate Ceremony on May 18.

Spelman College is honored to have acclaimed actress and director Angela Bassett to bring words of inspiration to our graduating Class of 2024,” detailed Spelman College President Helene D. Gayle, M.D., MPH.

“Her work has had a tremendous impact both on and off the screen and serves as an example for our students to lead in their own spaces. We are equally honored to have a slate of strong Black women join us for our weekend ceremonies, including Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, Atlanta community icon Rose Scott and the esteemed Reverend Dr. Yvette Flunder. We look forward to them inspiring our graduates, their families and the Spelman community.”

More from VIBE.com

• Spelman College Receives $100M Donation, Largest Ever For HBCU

• Angela Bassett Admits Husband Courtney B. Vance Has Not Watched '9-1-1' Series

• For Angela Bassett, Her Career Has Always Been About "The Work, Not The Fame"