HBCU Leader Dr. Harry L. Williams and Alumnus Rep. Anthony Daniels to Inspire Class of 2026
Williams, Daniels Announced as Speakers for AAMU Commencement Ceremonies
Alabama A&M University will celebrate the achievements of the Class of 2026 during its Spring Commencement Ceremonies Friday, May 8, at the AAMU Event Center, featuring accomplished leaders in higher education and public service as keynote speakers.
The graduate ceremony will begin at 10 a.m., with Dr. Harry L. Williams, president and CEO of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, delivering the keynote address. The undergraduate ceremony will follow at 3 p.m., featuring remarks from Alabama A&M alumnus Anthony Daniels, who serves as House Minority Leader in the Alabama House of Representatives.
Williams leads the nation’s largest organization representing publicly supported historically Black colleges and universities, where member institutions educate nearly 80% of students attending HBCUs. Under his leadership, the organization has experienced transformative growth, significantly increasing revenue while expanding strategic partnerships with leading corporations such as The Boeing Company, Visa and Wells Fargo. His work has strengthened pathways for students into competitive internships and careers while elevating the national visibility and impact of HBCUs.
A former president of Delaware State University, Williams is widely recognized for advancing institutional growth, increasing enrollment and securing significant public-private investments in higher education. His leadership has also positioned the Thurgood Marshall College Fund as a leading voice in national policy, helping to advance bipartisan support for HBCUs and expand opportunities for students across the country.
Daniels, a 2005 graduate of Alabama A&M University, serves as House Minority Leader in the Alabama House of Representatives, representing the state’s 53rd District. First elected in 2014, he made history as the first African American to hold the position and the youngest lawmaker to serve as a party leader in the modern history of the Alabama State House. He is widely recognized for his leadership on education, economic development and college affordability, earning honors from his peers, including Alabama Legislator of the Year.
Daniels earned both his Bachelor of Science in elementary education and Master of Education in special education from Alabama A&M, where he began developing the leadership foundation that would shape his career. As a student, he served as national chairman of the National Education Association Student Program, representing more than 60,000 college students nationwide and contributing to national discussions on college access and affordability.
The Spring Commencement ceremonies will honor the academic accomplishments of the Class of 2026 as graduates join a distinguished network of Alabama A&M alumni making meaningful contributions across the nation and around the world.