2016’s Best Commencement Speeches At Historically Black Colleges

The best commencement speeches and speakers offer graduating students advice and guidance for the post-college times ahead. For graduates, excited but nervous and confused about their future, the motivating words said by a speaker on graduation day will be the last lesson taught. Here are some of the best commencement speeches at black colleges this year.

President Barack Obama, Howard University

“And the good news is, you’re ready. And when your journey seems too hard, and when you run into a chorus of cynics who tell you that you’re being foolish to keep believing or that you can’t do something, or that you should just give up, or you should just settle — you might say to yourself a little phrase that I’ve found handy these last eight years: Yes, we can.”

Steve Harvey, Alabama State University

“You got your degree; that’s successful. So far, this has been about yourself … but great people change other people’s lives. Great people put other people’s needs in front of theirs. Great people go back to their communities and change lives.”

Sheryl Lee Ralph, Cheyney University

“You are the hope and the dream of a slave!”

First Lady Michelle Obama, Jackson State University

“Excellence is the most powerful thing you can give to the doubters and the haters. And also the most powerful thing you can do for yourself”

Vice President Joe Biden, Delaware State University

“Progress is never easy, but it is always possible.”

Tyler Perry, Tuskegee University

“Remember that you are enough and your gift is enough.”