Black celebs ranging from to Jamie Foxx to Angela Bassett have been recipients of honorary degrees from universities.
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And most recently, it was announced that New Edition singer Bobby Brown has received an honorary doctorate in humanitarianism from Leaders Esteem Christian Bible University. The university is an online, intellectual destination that offers a variety of programs to equip and empower faith-based leaders to change the world through the power of love. Brown has been outspoken about his faith and the role it played on getting him back on the straight and narrow for years.
To celebrate all of this Black excellence and more, here are a list of icons who have received the well deserved recognition.
Angela Bassett
Angela Bassett lines up with other honorary degree recipients in front of Sterling Memorial Library at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, for commencement on May 21, 2018 where she received an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree.
Tracee Ellis Ross
Tracee Ellis Ross will become a Doctor of Fine Arts for her work on shows like Black-ish and Girlfriends, as well as her docuseries The Hair Tales and podcast I Am America. The honorary degree will be awarded by Spelman College later this month. The Pattern CEO and founder is just one of many Black celebrities to receive the honor.
Jermaine Dupri
Jermaine Dupri attends The Art Institute of Atlanta commencement ceremony at Riverside EpiCenter on June 17, 2022 in Austell, Georgia. He delivered the keynote and received an honorary degree.
John Legend
Singer-songwriter John Legend receives an honorary doctorate of music during University of Pennsylvania’s 258th Commencement ceremony at Franklin Field on May 19, 2014 in Philadelphia, United States.
Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder received an honorary Doctor of Music degree at the Yale University Commencement in New Haven, Conn., on Monday, May 22, 2017. Behind him is his son, Kwame Morris.
Jamie Foxx
Jamie Foxx speaks during Jarvis Christian College’s commencement at Jarvis Christian College in Hawkins, Texas, on Saturday, May 5, 2018. Jesse J. Holland, race and ethnicity writer for the Associated Press, gave the keynote address, and Foxx received an honorary doctorate degree from the college.
Ludacris
Chris “Ludacris” Bridges attends the 2022 Georgia State University Commencement Ceremony at Center Parc Credit Union Stadium at Georgia State University on May 04, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. He received an honorary degree at the event.
Taraji P. Henson
Commencement speaker Taraji P. Henson receives honorary degree during Howard University 2022 Commencement at Howard University on May 07, 2022 in Washington, DC.
Oprah Winfrey
Oprah Winfrey stands to receive an honorary Doctor of Laws degree during commencement ceremonies at Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass., Thursday, May 30, 2013. She later delivered the commencement address.
Diddy
Sean Combs (better known as Diddy), accompanied by Howard University interim president Wayne Frederick, arrives to the graduation ceremony at Howard University in Washington, on Saturday, May 10, 2014. Combs was among five people receiving honorary degrees as trailblazers in their fields
Barack Obama
Former President Barack Obama gives the Commencement address during the 250th Anniversary Commencement of Rutgers University held at High Point Solutions Stadium on the Bush Campus of Rutgers University-New Brunswick in Piscataway, NJ, USA, on May 15, 2016. President Obama received an honorary Doctor of Law Degree at the Commencement.
Michelle Obama
In this May 9, 2015, photo, former first lady Michelle Obama is presented with a robe and honorary degree at the Tuskegee University’s spring commencement in Tuskegee, Ala.
Denzel Washington
Actor Denzel Washington makes remarks during the University of Pennsylvania’s 255th Commencement Monday, May 16, 2011, in Philadelphia. Washington, whose son Malcolm attends the Ivy League school, received an honorary degree at the ceremony.
Kerry Washington
Kerry Washington speaks and receives an honorary degree – Doctor of Fine Arts, honoris causa during the George Washington University 2013 commencement on the National Mall on May 19, 2013 in Washington, DC.
Lionel Richie
Lionel Richie received an Honory Doctor of Music Degree and spoke to students at the Berklee College of Music Commencement Execises at Agganis Arena at Boston University on May 13, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts.
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