Award-winning entertainer and cultural icon Queen Latifah has been announced as a keynote speaker for the Spring 2026 commencement ceremonies at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University.
University officials confirmed that Latifah will address undergraduate students during two baccalaureate ceremonies scheduled for Saturday, May 9, at First Horizon Coliseum in Greensboro.
The ceremonies will be split across the day, with the morning event recognizing graduates from several colleges including engineering, education, and health sciences, while the afternoon ceremony will honor students from business, arts and sciences programs.
Latifah will share commencement duties with accomplished surgeon and alumna Dr. Nia Danielle Banks, who is set to deliver the keynote address for the graduate student ceremony on May 8.
Nearly 2,000 undergraduate students and approximately 350 graduate students are expected to participate in this year’s commencement exercises, which will also be livestreamed for families and supporters.
Best known for her groundbreaking career in music, film, and television, Latifah has earned widespread recognition, including a Grammy Award, a Golden Globe, and an Academy Award nomination. She also received the National Medal of the Arts in 2024 and was honored at the Kennedy Center Honors in 2023.
Her selection as a commencement speaker highlights the university’s tradition of inviting influential leaders and trailblazers to inspire graduates as they prepare to enter the next chapter of their lives.
