Former Florida Democratic Party gubernatorial nominee Andrew Gillum will be the keynote speaker at Clark Atlanta University’s commencement, the school announced Monday.

Gillum, the former mayor of Tallahassee, garnered national attention last year through his gubernatorial campaign, becoming the first African American to win the Democratic Party’s nomination. Gillum lost the governor’s race to Ron DeSantis, a Republican.

Despite his defeat, politicos have speculated about Gillum’s political future. Gillum has repeatedly denied that he’s interested in running for president in 2020. Gillum last month started a voter registration drive in Florida.

The commencement is scheduled for May 20 on the university’s campus, near downtown Atlanta. Clark Atlanta, with nearly 4,000 students, has the largest enrollment of any private, historically black college & university in Georgia.

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Instructor Daniel Jean-Baptiste reminds students to "measure twice, cut once" while using a hand saw at the Construction Ready accelerated summer program at Westside Works in Atlanta on Wednesday, June 18, 2025. The program provides training for careers in construction and the skilled trades. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

Credit: abbey.cutrer@ajc.com

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Instructor Daniel Jean-Baptiste reminds students to "measure twice, cut once" while using a hand saw at the Construction Ready accelerated summer program at Westside Works in Atlanta on Wednesday, June 18, 2025. The program provides training for careers in construction and the skilled trades. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

Credit: abbey.cutrer@ajc.com