Former NBA All-Star Chris Paul is set to serve as the commencement speaker for Morehouse College’s Spring Class of 2026. The institution announced the selection of Paul in a statement on Thursday. Paul will also receive an honorary doctorate of humane letters.
Chris Paul delivering the commencement address at Morehouse College represents a full-circle moment, given his long-standing support for historically Black colleges and universities. After earning his degree in mass communications from Winston-Salem State University in December 2022, Paul has continued to champion HBCUs at every level.
His advocacy predates his graduation. During the NBA’s 2020 bubble, Paul used his platform to spotlight HBCUs by wearing apparel representing various institutions. He later expanded that effort through a partnership with ESPN+ to create Why Not Us, a docuseries highlighting HBCU athletic programs.
When speaking about Why Not Us in 2023, Paul said when promoting the Grambling Dance edition of of the series, “Marching Band performances are a fundamental element of life at HBCUs as the center of culture shaping the HBCU experience, Dancers bring the HBCU culture to life and demonstrate school pride through unity and showmanship. This season on Why Not Us, the talented Grambling Dance program will show audiences the drive and focus it takes to come together and breathe life into those performances.”
Paul has also invested in creating opportunities for exposure. He founded the Chris Paul HBCU Classic, which features four HBCU basketball teams in early-season competition and has since grown enough to relocate to Atlanta. In 2024, he introduced the CP3 Classic, a three-day AAU tournament designed not only for competition but also to connect high school players with the HBCU experience.
Former NBA All-Star Chris Paul is set to serve as the commencement speaker for Morehouse College’s Spring Class of 2026. The institution announced the selection of Paul in a statement on Thursday. Paul will also receive an honorary doctorate of humane letters.
