Taraji P. Henson’s Message at Spellman Graduation Goes viral

By Lexx Thornton

Spelman College is a private, historically black women’s liberal arts college in Atlanta, Georgia. Founded in 1881 as the Atlanta Baptist Female Seminary, Spelman awarded its first college degrees in 1901 and is the oldest private historically black liberal arts institution for women. Spelman College has notable alumni such as but not limited to Alice Walker, Stacey Abrahams, Keshia Knight Pulliam, and Bernice King.

With the largest graduating class of 694 Jaguars in Spelman history bleeding white and Columbia blue they will be hand and hand as they walked across the stage on Sunday, May18, at the Georgia International Convention Center(GICC). When it comes to HBCU graduations the most anticipated part of the ceremony is who will be delivering the final speech of your college days. The commencement speakers have ranged from Angela Bassett, Angela Davis, and Oprah Winfrey. This year,the 2025 Jaguars of Spelman College can gear up for renowned actress and advocate, Taraji P. Henson.

The Class of 2025 is the largest graduating class in the College’s history and includes 694 degreed Jaguars-446 Bachelor of Arts and 248 Bachelor of Science degrees. Spelman’s graduate rate remains among the highest in the country at 76%. Her words of encouragement is what has sparked media attention. As an award-winning actress, activist, and advocate formental health, Henson used her platform not just to inspire, but to connect the graduating class to their African roots and the power of communal healing. Henson encouraged the graduates to lean in to their own sister circles. She encouraged the ladies to find strength in their community, and to carry the ancestral wisdom and light with in them.“ You are never alone,”she reminded the Class of 2025.

The actress’s deeply emotional and spiritually uplifting speech resonated across social media. The viral moment affirmed Henson’s place not only in Hollywood but as a cherished voice within the HBCU community. The words of the Howard University graduate were a powerful tribute to the enduring strength, cultural pride, and spiritual depth that define the HBCU experience.