Past Commencement Speakers

Taraji P. Henson

Delivered the commencement address to the Spelman College Class of 2025

Angela Bassett

Delivered the commencement address to the Spelman College Class of 2024

Nikole Hannah-Jones

Delivered the commencement address to the Spelman College Class of 2023

Stacey Yvonne Abrams

Delivered the commencement address to the Spelman College Class of 2022

Angela Davis

Delivered the commencement address to the Spelman College Class of 2021

Danai Gurira

Award-winning Zimbabwean-American actress, delivered the commencement address to the Spelman College Class of 2020

Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms

Delivered the commencement address to the Spelman College Class of 2019

Rosalind Gates Brewer

Chair of the Spelman College Board of Trustees, delivered the commencement address to the Spelman College Class of 2018

Valerie Jarrett

Delivered the commencement address to the Spelman College Class of 2017

Loretta E. Lynch

U.S Attorney General, delivered the commencement address to the Spelman College Class of 2016

Donna Brazile

Delivered the commencement address to the Spelman College Class of 2015

Soledad O'Brien

Delivered the commencement address to the Spelman College Class of 2014

Dr. Regina Benjamin

U.S Surgeon General, delivered the commencement address to the Spelman College Class of 2013

Oprah Winfrey

Global media leader and philanthropist delivered the commencement address to the Spelman College Class of 2012

Michelle Obama

Former First Lady, delivered the commencement address to the Spelman College Class of 2011

Susan Rice

Former United States Ambassador to the United Nations, delivered the commencement address to the Spelman College Class of 2010