Dear Tulane Community:
I am thrilled to announce that our 2025 Commencement Speaker will be entertainment icon and humanitarian Sheryl Lee Ralph, an Emmy award-winning actress and singer whose trailblazing career has spanned over four decades. She will deliver the keynote address at the Unified ceremony, to be held at Caesars Superdome on Saturday, May 17 at 6:00 p.m.
From Broadway to television, Sheryl has created characters that transcend the cultural moment to offer deeper insights into the human experience. For her work on the critically acclaimed and widely beloved Abbott Elementary, she earned an Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. As the veteran educator Barbara Howard, her warmth, intellect, and humor make her just as unforgettable as the real-life favorite teachers who shape our lives.
Before becoming a celebrated actress, Sheryl was a standout scholar. As one of the first women admitted to Rutgers College, she enrolled as a pre-med student, but soon found that her passion lay in the performing arts. She has been a staple in the entertainment industry ever since, from countless appearances in film and television to producing, directing, and writing.
Sheryl has also made an indelible mark on Broadway. An original cast member of the musical Dreamgirls, she earned a Tony nomination and created the role of Deena Jones, which would later be played by Beyoncé in the 2006 film adaptation. Sheryl also originated the role of Muzzy Van Hossmer in Thoroughly Modern Millie and became the first Black actress to play Madame Morrible in Wicked.
In 1990, Sheryl launched the DIVA Foundation, a national nonprofit dedicated to achieving better health outcomes for all people that empowers and educates vulnerable communities with a focus on preventing and destigmatizing HIV/AIDS. Embodying the spirit of Tulane's motto "not for oneself but for one's own," its work is a lasting tribute to the many friends and colleagues Sheryl lost to the AIDS epidemic.
When Sheryl accepted her Emmy Award, her powerful speech went viral. As we celebrate the accomplishments of the Class of 2025, I am delighted that our graduates will have the opportunity to be inspired by her wisdom, her wit, her remarkable career, and her dedication to building a better world.
