Climbing to the top of the ladder through sports, entertainment or the world of fashion opens doors.
One of those doors is education, specifically the award of an honorary doctorate from an accredited institution or university. The feat highlights the contributions of people who break down barriers and inspire others.
This year, entertainers Stevie Wonder, Ludacris and Angela Bassett are just a few who have blazed a trail beyond their respective industries and toasted their PhDs together.
Stevie Wonder
Just two miles from Motown’s Hitsville, USA, where Stevie Wonder recorded some of his biggest hits, the singer received an honorary doctorate from Wayne State University’s WSU Board of Governors.
Upon accepting the degree, Wonder expressed his love for previous institutions he attended as a child and talked about organizations that hold sentimental value for him.
As one of the best-selling artists of all time, Wonder humbly reminds audiences that the achievement is not for him alone, but for the people of Detroit.
“This really isn’t just mine,” Wonder said, according to The Detroit Free Press. “It’s owned by Motown, [where] so many people have allowed me to explore and learn music and express my feelings. But most of all, it’s yours, Detroit, because by hugging me, you gave me a real opportunity to explore.”
Angela Basset
Angela Bassett is no stranger to academia. She is a graduate of Yale University and received her BA in African American Studies in 1980.
Three years later, Bassett began her acting career. Her pivot led to an iconic career and numerous accolades, including a Golden Globe for her portrayal of Tina Turner and seven Primetime Emmy and NAACP Image Awards.
Not surprisingly, Bassett is still on board, having previously starred in American Horror Story. She will also soon be reprising her role in the second installment of the highly anticipated Black Panther. Bassett’s influence should not be questioned, and this was confirmed when she received an honorary doctorate from Old Dominion University (ODU) in Virginia.
The story goes on
“Hey everyone are you alright? I am so happy and humbled to receive an honorary doctorate from @olddominionu today! Education really is the KEY! #stillmakingmymommaproud,” Bassett wrote on Instagram.
Naomi Campbell
Naomi Campbell took off in her mid-teens and soon became a household name, setting a new precedent in the fashion industry.
Her involvement as a model broke barriers. In fact, she was the first black model to appear on the cover of British Vogue in 1988 and she was the first black model to appear on the cover of TIME.
In addition, she was part of an elite group of models that inspired the term “supermodel”. Four decades later, Campbell is still one of the most sought-after models. Her contributions to the fashion world confirm why Campbell received an honorary doctorate. from the University of the Creative Arts in London.
Dwyane Wade
NBA superstar Dwyane Wade received a warm welcome and returned to his alma matter two decades later.
Wade previously led the Marquette Golden Eagles to the Final Four. He was one of Marquette University’s most decorated athletes and caught the attention of the NBA. He later won three championship rings and became a 13-time NBA All-Star, among other achievements. Wade’s achievements rightly earned him an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Marquette University.
“We. There. Marquette. Marquette chose me 23 years ago,” Wade wrote on Instagram.
Jermaine Dupri
As one of the greats of the music industry, Jermaine Dupri will always be a talking point. So it was only right that his influence in the industry caught the attention of the Art Institute of Atlanta. For this he received an honorary doctorate in fine arts.
“It is our great pleasure to nominate Jermaine Dupri for an honorary doctorate from the Art Institute of Atlanta, as his impressive achievements serve as an example of our aspirations for our students,” said Elden Monday, interim campus president of the Art Institute of Atlanta. according to a press release. “Jermaine is a visionary who has made a significant contribution to the Atlanta community through his work in the global entertainment market. As longtime fans of Jermaine and his music, his achievements and contributions to the music industry align directly with our institution’s mission as we strive to nurture and develop creative warriors to make productive contributions to society.”
Ludacris
Chris “Ludacris” Bridges received an honorary doctorate in music management from the very institution he once attended.
Before becoming a Grammy-winning artist, Ludacris was a student at Georgia State University. Ludacris cut his time at university by signing with Def Jam Records. Ludacris shared with a sea of Georgia State University students that it wasn’t his music that has helped him stay relevant over the decades, but rather the skills he picked up at university.
“I thank the time on this campus to hone my skills. It gave me confidence that my path was simply predetermined and that I was right where I was supposed to be doing exactly what I was supposed to be doing,” Ludacris said during Georgia State University’s 2022 inauguration ceremony.
He continued, “I went here and studied music management and music business. I will be honest with you. That’s, honestly, why I feel like I’m still relevant in the music business after 22 years. Thanks GSU, because I don’t know if you’ve heard this before, but anyone who wants to do anything in the music business or just music in general, it’s 10 percent the music and 90 percent the business. Trust me when I tell you this. Even though I left school, I was never away because this institution had become a part of me.”
It’s called Savage
Afrobeats singer Tiwa Savage burst onto the music scene at age 16 and has since released 23 singles and 10 music videos. Savage became the first African woman to sell out at Indigo-02 and the first African woman to win the Best African Act award at the 2018 MTV Europe Music Awards. Savage’s achievements have been recognized by the University of Kent in Canterbury, England. She received an honorary doctorate in music and became one of ten to receive this honor.
“Some call me Queen, but from now on it’s Dr. Savage,” Savage said during a speech to the Class of 2022 at the University of Kent in Canterbury.
Russell Wilson
NFL star Russell Wilson believes legacy comes from everyday life. He lives by this principle, partly because of his late father.
Wilson received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from Dartmouth College – the same institution his father and three of his uncles attended – for his contributions on and off the field.
“Dartmouth is for your balance, leadership and sportsmanship both on and off the field, for your commitment to improving the lives of others and for your belief in the power of positivity and for helping people reach their full potential proud to bestow upon you the honors degree of Doctor of Humane Letters,” Dartmouth President Philip J. Hanlon said, according to DenverBroncos.com.
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