Academy Award-nominated actor Delroy Lindo is heading to Nashville to impart some wisdom to the next generation of leaders. Fisk University, one of the nation’s oldest HBCUs, has officially announced that the acclaimed actor will serve as the keynote speaker for its 152nd Commencement Ceremony.
The celebration is scheduled for Sunday, May 3, starting at 9:00 a.m. To properly accommodate the momentous occasion, the ceremony will be held at the Gentry Center on the campus of Tennessee State University, where Fisk will confer degrees upon approximately 255 graduating students.
In addition to delivering the keynote address, Lindo will also be awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters during the ceremony.
Lindo has been a commanding presence in Hollywood and on stage since making his acting debut in 1976. He recently earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his standout role in Sinners, a massive critical success that made history with a record-breaking 16 Oscar nominations.
Over the decades, Lindo has delivered a masterclass in culturally impactful storytelling, with unforgettable film roles including West Indian Archie in Malcolm X, Woody Carmichael in Crooklyn, Joe Black in This Christmas, and Paul in Da 5 Bloods, a performance that earned him the New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actor.
Beyond the big screen, Lindo has consistently showcased his dynamic range on television, starring in hit series like The Good Fight and UnPrisoned. He is also a Tony Award-nominated stage actor, widely recognized for his powerful performance as Herald Loomis in August Wilson’s Joe Turner’s Come and Gone.
The veteran actor is no stranger to the rigors of higher education, either. Lindo holds a master’s degree from New York University’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study and previously received an honorary doctorate from another esteemed HBCU, Virginia Union University.
“Delroy Lindo’s career embodies the enduring power of a liberal arts education — one that cultivates artistry, intellect, and a lifelong commitment to craft,” shared Dr. Agenia Walker Clark, President of Fisk University. “These are the very values we instill in Fisk students, and we are honored to welcome him to our campus community as we celebrate the Class of 2026 and the boundless futures ahead of them.”
