Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP
Renowned Actor Courtney B. Vance to Deliver Speech at Morehouse School of Medicine Commencement
MSM's Fourth Winter Commencement Exercises will take place on Friday, December 13, in the Martin Luther King, Jr. International Chapel at Morehouse College.
By Dajhea Jones, 11Alive
ATLANTA — Award-winning actor, author and philanthropist Courtney B. Vance will deliver the keynote address at the Morehouse School of Medicine Fourth Winter Commencement Exercises, the institution announced Monday.
The ceremony will take place on Friday, December 13, in the Martin Luther King, Jr. International Chapel at Morehouse College.
Vance’s career is marked by extraordinary achievements across stage, film and television with accolades including a Tony Award, two Primetime Emmy Awards and multiple NAACP Image Awards. He will also receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2025, a testament to his enduring impact on the entertainment world.
“My admiration of the Morehouse School of Medicine academic community is tremendous,” said Courtney B. Vance. “What this institution has done for countless young people throughout its history is an extraordinary gift and contribution to the world. To stand before this esteemed class, particularly as they begin to cross a monumental threshold into their careers, is a true honor and privilege that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.”
Beyond acting, Vance has been a force for positive change. As President and Chairman of the SAG-AFTRA Foundation, he has championed programs that provide professional development and financial assistance for artists. Under his leadership, the foundation has raised more than $21 million, supporting tens of thousands of performers and their families during crises.
Vance’s academic achievements are as impressive as his artistic ones. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Harvard University and a Master of Fine Arts degree from the prestigious Yale School of Drama, where he met his wife, acclaimed actress Angela Bassett.
Together, the couple has contributed significantly to the arts and philanthropy, co-authoring the book "Friends: A Love Story" and managing Bassett Vance Productions. Earlier this year, they were jointly named Artists of the Year by the Harvard Foundation for Intercultural and Race Relations.
Morehouse School of Medicine, founded in 1975 as a two-year medical program at Morehouse College, has grown into an independent institution renowned for its Doctor of Medicine program and a wide array of graduate degrees in health sciences.