Florida A&M University Announces Malinda Williams and Marc H. Morial as 2024 Fall Commencement Speakers

TALLAHASSEE – Florida A&M University (FAMU) announces Malinda Williams, actress, author and founder of the Arise And Shine Foundation, Inc.; and Marc H. Morial, president and CEO of the National Urban League, as the keynote speakers for the 2024 Fall Commencement Ceremonies scheduled December 13-14 at the Al Lawson Multipurpose Center. Williams will serve as the speaker on Friday, December 13 at 6 p.m. ET; and Morial will serve as the speaker on Saturday, December 14 at 9 a.m. ET.  

“We are honored to welcome two remarkable speakers who will inspire and celebrate our graduates with their powerful messages,” said FAMU Interim President Timothy L. Beard, Ph.D. “Ms. Malinda Williams has seamlessly transformed her creativity from a celebrated career in television and film to success in the dynamic world of philanthropy and web development, exemplifying resilience and adaptability. Mr. Marc Morial has dedicated his life to public service, first as a Louisiana state senator and mayor, and now as a visionary leader of one of America’s most historic Civil Rights organizations. Their wisdom and experiences will undoubtedly provide invaluable guidance as our graduates embark on the next chapter of their journeys.”

During the ceremonies, more than 700 students from the University’s 14 schools and colleges are expected to receive their degrees. The Dec. 13 ceremony will include graduates from the College of Agriculture and Food Sciences, College of Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities & Military Commissioning, School of Architecture and Engineering Technology, School of Journalism & Graphic Communication, School of the Environment, and School of Nursing. The Dec. 14 ceremony will include graduates from the College of Education, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences-Institute of Public Health, School of Allied Health Sciences, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, College of Science and Technology, College of Law and School of Business and Industry.

Event protocols:

• The Lawson Center doors will open two hours ahead of each ceremony
• The ceremonies are open to the public; tickets are not required
• The Clear Bag Policy will be enforced
• Strollers, air horns, cow bells and balloons are not permitted inside the venue
• The event will be live-streamed via FAMU Facebook and on YouTube at @FAMUTube1887
• Additional information is available at https://www.famu.edu/students/commencement/
  

About Malinda Williams

Armed with a license in cosmetology and a few small acting roles, Malinda Williams left her home state of New Jersey and ambitiously set her sights on Hollywood. Branded one of the entertainment industry's most well-respected actresses, Malinda is known for having a career spanning more than 40 years.

Twice nominated for an NAACP Image Award for "outstanding actress in a drama series", the determined young beauty made a name for herself, grabbing lead roles in films such as “The Wood,” “High School High,” “A Thin Line Between Love and Hate” and the television series Soul Food.

Malinda has also embraced lifelong learning to create numerous roles and opportunities for herself outside of entertainment. In 2019, she launched She’s Got A Habit, empowering women to achieve wellness and economic security through entrepreneurship. Rather than rely solely on outside contractors and vendors, Malinda taught herself to code (HTML, CSS, Javascript, etc.) and built multiple e-commerce platforms from the ground up-- She used the platforms to launch her first book,

“The Game of Life & How To Slay It” and the wildly popular Words that Work, Self-empowerment Affirmation Card Deck.

Intent on serving her supportive community, Malinda recently founded The Arise and Shine Foundation, Inc. a (501(c)(3) non-profit organization that helps fulfill Malinda's vision to be a conduit of information, inspiration, and empowerment to women. The foundation launched its first HBCU Coding Bootcamp and Scholarship Program, bringing together a cohort of young women from multiple HBCU’s. The program underscores, among other things, the importance of tech skills no matter the field of endeavor and demonstrates how technology training and cultivating soft skills can empower through education.

About Marc H. Morial

Marc Morial is the current President and CEO of the National Urban League, the nation’s largest historic civil rights and urban advocacy organization.  He has been widely recognized as one of the most effective and accomplished servant-leaders in the nation as well as one of America’s leading voices on civil rights, social justice, and economic opportunity.  As President and CEO of the National Urban League since 2003, he has been the primary catalyst for an era of change – a transformation for the 108-year-old civil rights organization.  His energetic and skilled leadership has expanded the League’s work around an Empowerment agenda, which is redefining civil rights in the 21st Century with a renewed emphasis on closing the persistent economic gaps that divide Americans.

As Mayor of New Orleans, Morial was a popular chief executive with a broad multi-racial coalition who led New Orleans’ 1990s renaissance and left office with a 70% approval. As a lawyer, Morial won the Louisiana State Bar Association’s Pro Bono Publico Award for his legal service to the poor and disadvantaged.  He was also one of the youngest lawyers, at age 26, to argue and win a major case before the Louisiana Supreme Court.

A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania with a degree in economics and African American studies, he also holds a law degree from the Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, D.C., as well as numerous honorary degrees including Xavier University and Howard University. Morial has been recognized as one of the 100 most influential Black American by Ebony Magazine, one of the Top 50 Nonprofit Executives by the Nonprofit Times, and one of the Top 100 Black Lawyers in America, and has also been inducted in the international Civil Rights Walk of Fame in Atlanta, Georgia.

 

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Media Contact:
Alonda Thomas
850-599-3413
alonda.thomas@famu.edu

 

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