Photos: 2017 Spelman College commencement

Metro Atlanta

Photos: 2017 Spelman College commencement

Valerie Jarrett, the longest-serving senior advisor to President Barack Obama, delivered the keynote address at Spelman College's spring graduation event on Sunday, May 21, 2017.

May 21, 2017, College Park: Tavaje Knight proudly carries her 2-year-old daughter Amori Hampton as she walks for her diploma across the stage during the Spelman College 2017 Commencement Ceremony at the Georgia International Convention Center on Sunday, May 21, 2017, in College Park. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

May 21, 2017, College Park: Parents and loved ones angle for a position to snap photos of their graduates as they enter the hall for the Spelman College 2017 Commencement Ceremony at the Georgia International Convention Center on Sunday, May 21, 2017, in College Park. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

May 21, 2017, College Park: Lizette Terry (from left), Camille Hall, Tyler Lacey, and Dayja Snures snap a selfie before they walk in the Spelman College 2017 Commencement Ceremony at the Georgia International Convention Center on Sunday, May 21, 2017, in College Park. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

May 21, 2017, College Park: Shaelynn Parker hugs her daughter Maurita Ament as she prepares to walk for her diploma during the Spelman College 2017 Commencement Ceremony at the Georgia International Convention Center on Sunday, May 21, 2017, in College Park. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

May 21, 2017, College Park: Shaelynn Parker becomes emotional wiping away a tear as her daughter Maurita Ament prepares to walk for her diploma during the Spelman College 2017 Commencement Ceremony at the Georgia International Convention Center on Sunday, May 21, 2017, in College Park. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

May 21, 2017, College Park: Ã¢â¬âPICTURE PERFECTÃ¢â¬â Paris Richburg (from left), Konstance Joseph, Maria Reynold, DÃ¢â¬â¢Shondra Brown, Ebony Cherry, and Lesia McClure snap group selfies as they prepare to walk during the Spelman College 2017 Commencement Ceremony at the Georgia International Convention Center on Sunday, May 21, 2017, in College Park. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

May 21, 2017, College Park: Graduates join hands for an opening prayer during the Spelman College 2017 Commencement Ceremony at the Georgia International Convention Center on Sunday, May 21, 2017, in College Park. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

May 21, 2017, College Park: Destiny Andrews gives her mother some credit on her graduate cap during the Spelman College 2017 Commencement Ceremony at the Georgia International Convention Center on Sunday, May 21, 2017, in College Park. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

May 21, 2017, College Park: True Phillips shouts encourage to his niece Mariah Cowling as she enters the hall for the Spelman College 2017 Commencement Ceremony at the Georgia International Convention Center on Sunday, May 21, 2017, in College Park. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

May 21, 2017, College Park: Graduates Alaya Martin and Monica McGee hold hands during an opening prayer at the Spelman College 2017 Commencement Ceremony at the Georgia International Convention Center on Sunday, May 21, 2017, in College Park. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

May 21, 2017, College Park: Spelman College President Mary Schmidt Campbell introduces Valerie Jarrett, the longest-serving senior advisor to President Barack Obama, to deliver the Commencement address during
the Spelman College 2017 Commencement Ceremony at the Georgia International Convention Center on Sunday, May 21, 2017, in College Park. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

May 21, 2017, College Park: Valerie Jarrett, the longest-serving senior advisor to President Barack Obama, delivers the Commencement address during the Spelman College 2017 Commencement Ceremony at the Georgia International Convention Center on Sunday, May 21, 2017, in College Park. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

May 21, 2017, College Park: Taylor Branch bows her head during an opening prayer at the Spelman College 2017 Commencement Ceremony at the Georgia International Convention Center on Sunday, May 21, 2017, in College Park. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

May 21, 2017, College Park: Princeanna Price cheers for her classmates during the Spelman College 2017 Commencement Ceremony at the Georgia International Convention Center on Sunday, May 21, 2017, in College Park. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

May 21, 2017, College Park: Princeanna Price reacts during her graduation at the Spelman College 2017 Commencement Ceremony in the Georgia International Convention Center on Sunday, May 21, 2017, in College Park. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

May 21, 2017, College Park: Joylette Hylick (left) and Katherine Moore, the daughters of Kathleen Johnson, attend the Spelman College 2017 Commencement Ceremony to accept a honorary degree for their mother at the Georgia International Convention Center on Sunday, May 21, 2017, in College Park. Johnson is a pioneer in American space history. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

May 21, 2017, College Park: Rajane Brown reacts as she receives her degree during the Spelman College 2017 Commencement Ceremony at the Georgia International Convention Center on Sunday, May 21, 2017, in College Park. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

May 21, 2017, College Park: Danyelle R. Carter reacts while receiving her diploma during the Spelman College 2017 Commencement Ceremony at the Georgia International Convention Center on Sunday, May 21, 2017, in College Park. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

May 21, 2017, College Park: Maria Brhan proudly struts across the stage with her degree during the Spelman College 2017 Commencement Ceremony at the Georgia International Convention Center on Sunday, May 21, 2017, in College Park. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

May 21, 2017, College Park: Breunna Alize Gibbs (left) and Kesha Laquanda Gay give each other a hug after walking for their diplomas during the Spelman College 2017 Commencement Ceremony at the Georgia International Convention Center on Sunday, May 21, 2017, in College Park. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

May 21, 2017, College Park: Nandi Howard waves to family, friends, and classmates with her diploma in hand during the Spelman College 2017 Commencement Ceremony at the Georgia International Convention Center on Sunday, May 21, 2017, in College Park. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

May 21, 2017, College Park: Shaquette Spencer dances across the stage with her diploma during the Spelman College 2017 Commencement Ceremony at the Georgia International Convention Center on Sunday, May 21, 2017, in College Park. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

May 21, 2017, College Park: Graduates celebrate receiving their diplomas during the Spelman College 2017 Commencement Ceremony at the Georgia International Convention Center on Sunday, May 21, 2017, in College Park. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

May 21, 2017, College Park: Skye Warren (left) and Amber Harris give each other a hug as they graduate during the Spelman College 2017 Commencement Ceremony at the Georgia International Convention Center on Sunday, May 21, 2017, in College Park. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

1/24

May 21, 2017, College Park: Tavaje Knight proudly carries her 2-year-old daughter Amori Hampton as she walks for her diploma across the stage during the Spelman College 2017 Commencement Ceremony at the Georgia International Convention Center on Sunday, May 21, 2017, in College Park. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

Today's Gallery Headlines

Coca-Cola first ad

PHOTOS: Coca-Cola ads over time

Alonzo Herndon

PHOTOS: Philanthropists leave mark on Atlanta

gainesville, thomas county central

PHOTOS: Thomas County Central pummels Gainesville for 5A state title

jefferson, sandy creek

PHOTOS: Sandy Creek defeats Jefferson for Class 3A championship

More Galleries

People are silhouetted against a huge Pride flag before the start of the Atlanta Pride Parade on Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025. (Ben Gray for the AJC)

Photos: Atlanta Pride Parade 2025

Splish Splash Doggie Bash at Piedmont Park

Photos: Splish Splash Doggie Bash at Piedmont Park

Fallen Dekalb County Firefighter Preston Fant arrives at West Cobb Funeral Home

PHOTOS: Fallen DeKalb firefighter honored with processional through metro Atlanta

Dragon Con Parade

PHOTOS: Dragon Con Parade 2025 brings out colorful characters