Taraji P. Henson Receives Honorary Doctorate While Giving the Commencement Speech at Howard University

Taraji P. Henson receives an honorary doctorate while serving as the commencement speaker at Howard University graduation.

On Saturday, Henson returned to her alma mater as the commencement speaker for their 2022 spring graduation. Just before she began her speech, Henson received an honorary doctorate of Humane Letters from the school.

Henson began her speech, “I would like to take this moment to reintroduce myself: My name is Taraji P. Henson, Howard University class of 1995.”

“The doors of the world are open to you… Walk on up, step on through, and with grace and strength, go become who you are destined to be.”
– Taraji P. Henson

THANK YOU Ms. Taraji P. Henson👏💙❤️#hu22 #howardgrad pic.twitter.com/rl5f9zwTnH

— Howard University (@HowardU) May 7, 2022

During her address, Henson shared some of her early experiences in Hollywood as a black actress. She recalled being paid only $100,000 for her role in ‘The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.’ The film was a $167 million film project. Henson detailed the difficulties she went through as though her father passed away during the time of filming. She added that she “put faith over fear” and prepared herself for the audition.

“I had been too well-schooled in auditioning for roles at the Ira Aldridge to not show up or try to phone it in or to not be prepared,” she said, referencing Howard’s theater. “You know I did my homework.”

Henson left the graduates with a challenge. The actress asked the class to do their best every day despite the adversities they may face.

“Howard, I challenge you to take care of yourself mentally and emotionally,” Henson said. “As well as physically, because you look today good on the outside to not be doing the work on the inside.”