Actor, filmmaker, philanthropist and entrepreneur Taraji P. Henson will deliver the commencement address at the 2022 Howard University Commencement ceremony.
Howard, Henson’s alma mater, will confer to her an honorary doctorate of humane letters.
Howard President Dr. Wayne A. I. Frederick called Henson “an accomplished actress and fierce champion for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and the African American community at large.”
“Ms. Henson exemplifies the University tenets of excellence in truth and service,” said Frederick. “We could not be more excited to have her join us in celebrating the graduating Class of 2022.”
Henson, a Golden Globe winner and Academy Award and Emmy nominee, was recently appointed by President Biden to the White House HBCU Initiative advisory board. In 2018, she launched a foundation in honor of her father, the Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation, to support mental health care in Black communities.
“Returning to Howard always feels like coming home,” said Henson. “I cannot wait to share this incredible moment with Howard students as they prepare to take the next step in their journeys to success.”
