Education
Education

Spelman names political analyst Donna Brazile as commencement speaker

By
April 17, 2015

Political commentator and author Donna Brazile will deliver the keynote address at Spelman College’s spring commencement on May 17.

More than 475 graduates are expected to participate in afternoon ceremony at the Georgia International Convention Center, where Brazile will also receive an honorary degree.

Brazile is the vice chairwoman of voter registration and participation of the Democratic National Committee and was the first African American to direct a major presidential campaign, as campaign manager for Al Gore in 2000.

In addition to Brazile, honorary degrees will also be awarded to Yvonne Jackson, a Spelman alumna and founder and president of the management consulting firm BeecherJackson Inc., along with Lisa Jackson, vice president of environmental initiatives at Apple.

The commencement will be the last for outgoing president Beverly Tatum, who retires this summer after 13 years leading the women's college.

The graduation begins at 3 p.m. A baccalaureate ceremony, featuring American Baptist College dean Renita Weems, is scheduled for May 16 at the college.

Information: spelman.edu/commencement

About the Author

Janel Davis serves as a managing editor responsible for lifestyle and culture content.

Follow Janel Davis on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

Devon Horton — pictured speaking at the State of the District Address in March 2024 — has resigned as DeKalb County's school superintendent in the wake of a federal indictment on charges that he accepted kickbacks in his previous job in Illinois. (Miguel Martinez/AJC 2024)

Credit: Miguel Martinez

DeKalb Schools chief resigns after indictment on financial crime charges

Devon Horton was indicted this month and accused of accepting kickbacks in his former job as a school superintendent in Illinois.

1h ago

City Schools of Decatur considers closing K‑2 school

Blank Foundation pledges $50 million to boost grad rates at Atlanta’s HBCUs

The 10-year initiative will provide "gap scholarships" to help nearly 10,000 students at Clark Atlanta, Morehouse, Morris Brown and Spelman finish their degree program.

The Latest

Devon Horton — pictured speaking at the State of the District Address in March 2024 — has resigned as DeKalb County's school superintendent in the wake of a federal indictment on charges that he accepted kickbacks in his previous job in Illinois. (Miguel Martinez/AJC 2024)

Credit: Miguel Martinez

DeKalb Schools chief resigns after indictment on financial crime charges

1h ago

City Schools of Decatur considers closing K‑2 school

Before indictment of schools chief, DeKalb audited P-cards. Here’s what they found.

Featured

Mathew Palmer, a former Delta Air Lines employee, at his home in Atlanta on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025. Palmer was fired less than two weeks after writing a post on social media about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. (Natrice Miller/AJC)
EXCLUSIVE

Delta flight attendant fired for Kirk-related social post speaks out

Mathew Palmer, a Delta flight attendant, was suspended by the airline the day after writing a Facebook post about conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s assassination.

Marjorie Taylor Greene’s voters are sticking with her through her political evolution

Congresswoman Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s supporters are sticking with her even as she splits from Republican Party leadership

Truck driver arrested after 8th victim found in wreckage of I-85 crash

A tractor-trailer struck the back of a Dodge van, causing the van to go up in flames. The crash involved 6 vehicles, one of which was a van transporting 37 cats to a shelter.