Phylicia Rashad Inspires Oakwood Grads

0:00Felicia Rashad is set to drop wisdom as the commencement speaker at Oakwood University's graduation next month. The event goes down at 10am on May 8th at the Vaughan Braun Center. University Spokesperson Richard Haudenot confirmed it's been brewing since February. Rashad brings serious star power from her iconic run as Claire Huckstable on the Cosby show where she snagged two Emmy nods. She's also a trailblazer, becoming the first black woman to win a Tony for Best Actress in a play with a raisin in the sun back in 2004. Fans and grads are buzzing about her influence, especially as a mentor figure who shaped arts education. Her story resonates deep in HBCU circles, highlighting black excellence on stage and screen. She's kept busy with standout roles and empire. This is us, the Gilded Age, and as Apollo Creed's widow in the Creed films. Recently, she stepped up as Dean of the College of Fine Arts at Howard University, her own alma mater.

1:01Oakwood's picking a powerhouse to inspire the class of 2024 expects some real talk on legacy and hustle when she hits that podium. Stay informed with Birmingham News today, AI-powered updates.