‘Spelman College is the higher education equivalent of Wakanda’: Angela Bassett delivers stellar Spelman commencement speech

Award-winning legendary film and television actress and director Angela Bassett (above) received an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree during Spelman College’s 137th Commencement exercises Sunday afternoon in College Park. Photo by Julia Beverly/The Atlanta Voice COLLEGE PARK, Ga. – The woman behind the podium answered her own question immediately after she asked it to the room full of Spelman College soon-to-be graduates. She said, “Could the day be any more glorious and could you be anymore beautiful?'” She answered, “I think not.” Multi-time award-winning actress and director Angela Bassett, star of stage and screen, delivered the commencement speech during the 2024 Spelman College graduation exercises on Sunday afternoon in College Park. The exercises took place inside the Georgia International Convention Center. Upon taking the stage to immense applause following an introduction by Spelman College President Dr. Helene D. Gayle, Bassett had the crowd in the palm of her hands. Her many messages to the graduating class of 2024 ranged from recounting her youth in St. Petersburg, Florida and the empowerment and high expectations for excellence that her mother had set for her and sisters to keeping your head high out in the world after you walk across the stage...