Amazing HBCU Graduation Stories in 2026
The beginning of May is a time to celebrate college graduates all over the country as they prepare to take what they’ve learned to make the world a better place. We couldn’t be prouder of this year’s grads, particularly at our country’s HBCUs, who are defying the odds and making Black history during a time when our freedom and civil rights are under attack.
Because everyone can use a little good news on their timeline, we thought we’d round up some of our favorite Black college graduation stories this year. Congrats to the Class of 2026!
Talented Twins
The Criss family has a lot to celebrate this year, as twin sisters Tia and Jasmin aren’t just graduating from Pennsylvania’s Cheyney University, they’re going out at the top of their class, as valedictorian and salutatorian, respectively. As we previously reported, the sisters and Philadelphia natives credit their parents with stressing the importance of education and instilling them with the work ethic needed to maintain their stellar academic records at the nation’s first HBCU. The Criss sisters plan to continue their education, pursuing MBAs at West Chester University of Pennsylvania in the fall.
Paralyzed Student Walks Across the Stage
Among the graduates at Virginia Union University in Richmond, Jaiden Picot’s celebration was particularly special. In 2024, he was hit by a truck while riding an e-scooter, as Good Morning America reported. The accident left him paralyzed from the chest down. But his injuries didn’t stop him from pursuing his education. Between surgeries and rehabilitation, Picot went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in 2025 and an MBA shortly after. With the help of a robotic exoskeleton, he walked across the stage to receive his MBA at this year’s commencement ceremony.
“I feel like nothing can hold me back now. After getting hit by a truck, I didn’t let this stop me. I didn’t let it get in the way of me achieving my goals,” Picot told Richmond’s CBS 6 News.
Seven Amazing Spelman Sisters
@theyardga Meet “The Spelman Seven” — seven valedictorians graduating together and proving that Black excellence multiplies when rooted in community.
Behind this historic moment was a culture of sisterhood, collaboration, and shared success. These scholars didn’t just excel academically — they supported each other through one of the most rigorous academic experiences in the country at an institution known for producing generations of trailblazing Black women leaders. Their achievement challenges the idea that there can only be one woman at the top. Instead, The Spelman Seven are showing the next generation of HBCU students that excellence can be collective. At @SpelmanCollege, success is not just measured by GPA — it’s measured by impact, leadership, resilience, and the ability to uplift others while reaching your goals. From the classrooms of Atlanta to the world stage, these women are continuing the powerful legacy of Spelman scholars who came before them. Seven women. One historic moment. A legacy that will inspire generations.
Video by @itsuatl #SpelmanCollege #HBCUGrad #GeorgiaHBCUs #BlackGirlMagic #TheYardGA
Spelman College has always attracted top talent, but the class of 2026 is especially deep. The prestigious all-women’s HBCU has a record-breaking seven students who have been named valedictorian this year due to their impressive academic and extracurricular achievements. Alyssa Richardson, Sophia Davis, Alexis Renae Sims, Mariama Diallo, Cori’Anna White, Aiyana Ringo and Nia-Sarai Perry all received the prestigious honor after earning perfect 4.0 GPAs, as we previously reported.
Howard Graduates its Largest Class
On Saturday, May 9, Howard University celebrated its 158th Commencement Convocation with a record-breaking number of graduates. The Class of 2026 included more than 3,100 students – the largest class in the school’s history. According to the school’s website, the class included 198 students who graduated with a 4.0 GPA, 134 veterans and students from 41 countries and 47 states.
Howard Medical School Grad’s Full-Circle Moment
One Howard University Medical School grad is preparing for a bittersweet homecoming. As we previously reported, Connecticut native Shay Taylor-Allen was thrilled when she learned she’d do her medical residency at Yale Hospital’s Department of Anesthesiology. The full-circle moment brings her back to the place where she was born and once worked as a janitor. Allen says she first discovered her passion for medicine while working at the hospital, where her mother was a patient. She says the then-CEO, whose office she cleaned, helped her mom get the care she needed and inspired her to pursue a career that would allow her to pay it forward.
Morris Brown’s Restoration Class
Morris Brown University is especially proud of its 2026 graduates. The 92 students are being called the “Restoration Class,” the first group of four-year students to earn degrees since the school regained accreditation in 2022, according to WSB 2 Atlanta.
Atlanta native Faith Shamley said Morris Brown was the perfect place for her to pursue her education after leaving college in 2019. She leaves Morris Brown with a 3.9 GPA to pursue a Master’s Degree at Columbia University.
“I always say that my experience at Morris Brown has been life-changing,” the graduating senior told WSB.
9th Wonder Gets His Degree
The graduates at North Carolina Central University had a special student among their class. As we previously reported, Grammy-nominated producer 9th Wonder earned his degree from the Durham HBCU along with the Class of 2026. The moment was extra-special because the artist (born Patrick Denard Douthit), as it came 26 years after he dropped out of school to pursue his music career.
