By Randall Barnes
Entrepreneur and New York Times bestselling author Fawn Weaver has been announced as the Spring Commencement speaker at Grambling State University. The commencement is set to take place at the Fredrick C. Hobdy Assembly Center on Friday, May 15, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. CST.
Grambling State University President Dr. Martin Lemelle, Jr., spoke about Weaver being named as the speaker.
“Commencement is a proud moment for Grambling State University—an opportunity to celebrate the academic achievement, resilience, and promise of our graduates. We are honored to welcome Ms. Weaver, whose leadership, entrepreneurship, and commitment to purpose reflect the excellence we seek to cultivate in every Grambling State graduate.”
Fawn Weaver is the founder and CEO of Uncle Nearest, Inc., the parent company of Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey, and brings more than two decades of experience building influential brands. She also launched Nearest Green Distillery as a tribute to Nathan “Nearest” Green.
A nationally recognized business leader and TED speaker, Weaver is a two-time New York Times bestselling author whose work has been featured by major media outlets. She earned certification as a Corporate Director from Harvard Business School, graduated summa cum laude from the University of Alabama, and received an honorary Doctorate of Humanities from Bluefield State University. Weaver previously served on the board of Endeavor Group Holdings, including its audit committee, and is currently pursuing a Master of Finance at Harvard Business School.
Weaver is among several notable celebrities and dignitaries speaking across the nation, including Delroy Lindo, Queen Latifah, and North Carolina Governor Josh Stein.
