Two Alabama HBCUs had the pleasure of being joined by one of the greatest basketball players in the history of the game this past week for their graduation commencement ceremonies.

As he shared on his Instagram, NBA Hall of Famer Magic Johnson delivered the commencement addresses both at Stillman College in Tuscaloosa and Tuskegee University, and even received an honorary Doctorate of Business Administration from Stillman.

 

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“My charge to both classes: be bold, be strategic, be global, be active, be intentional,” Johnson wrote. “HBCUs make up just 3% of America’s colleges, yet they produce 80% of Black judges, 50% of Black lawyers and doctors, and 40% of Black engineers and CEOs. That is not a coincidence. That is excellence, built on purpose. Class of 2026 at Stillman and Tuskegee: you were built for this moment. You were prepared for this moment. You were chosen for this moment. Now, go prove it!”

Johnson gave graduates advice about things like the AI movement, making sure that they are smart on their social media pages and not hurting themselves in trying to gain future employment. He spoke on saving money, learning to invest and being willing to get comfortable with the uncomfortable.

It was a moment those graduates will remember for the rest of their lives, and if they can take his advice and become successful in their own careers, likely a moment they will reflect on for a long time moving forward.