Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms will give the keynote address at Spelman College’s commencement ceremony, the school announced Monday afternoon.

The commencement is scheduled for May 19, 3 p.m. at the Georgia International Convention Center.

Bottoms will also receive the National Community Service Award. Carla Hayden, the 14th Librarian of Congress will receive the Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree. Famed poet, playwright, professor and activist Sonia Sanchez will receive the Honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree.

Spelman, dedicated to the education of African American women, is located near downtown Atlanta. There are 474 students in this year’s graduating class, the college says.

About the Author

Keep Reading

Principal Jimmy Fisher talks about learning targets at Seckinger High School in Buford, Georgia, on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025. This Gwinnett County high school is AI-themed and opened in 2022. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

Credit: abbey.cutrer@ajc.com

Featured

An aerial view captures a large area under construction for a new data center campus on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Developed by QTS, the data center campus near Fayetteville is one of the largest under construction in Georgia. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez