Oprah Winfrey returned to her alma mater, Tennessee State University, as the commencement speaker for the class of 2023 on Saturday. The media mogul and philanthropist spoke to the over 800 undergraduates who were receiving degrees from the historically Black university.
This weekend’s speech was the first time since 1987 that Winfrey has given a commencement address at TSU, although she did say that university president Dr. Glenda Glover had invited her several times over the past decade.
Addressing a sea of blue caps and gowns on the football field at William J. Hale Stadium, Winfrey acknowledged the intensity and upheaval that has characterized the past few years of local and national politics.
“You’ve witnessed the storming of the Capitol and the death of civility. You’re acutely aware that voting rights are being gutted, women’s rights are being dismantled, books are being banned,” she said.
But she encouraged the newest crop of TSU graduates to hold onto hope.
“I can’t just tell you what desperate shape the universe is in and send you on your way,” she said. “The United States of America may not be united, but we are not a finished product.”
Winfrey first enrolled at TSU in 1971, but left to work as evening co-anchor at News Channel 5. Years later, Winfrey, who by then was already a successful television personality, returned to complete her education and graduated in 1986. The next year, she was the commencement speaker.
In addition to touching on current events, Winfrey reminded graduates of the historical barriers to higher education Black Americans have faced, and the generations of sacrifice and perseverance that it took to create institutions like TSU. She ended her address by instructing the class of 2023 to celebrate the hard work that they and their families put in to get them to graduation day.
“Know that your crown has been paid for. Put it on your head and wear it,” she said.
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