Sheryl Underwood Earns Honorary Doctorate at JCSU
Comedian and TV host turned doctorate honoree delivers an empowering commencement address
Pratibha holds a master's degree in English from Madras University. A bookworm from a young age, she devours books and digital humanities to nourish her writing projects. Pratibha began her writing career in 2018 and has experience writing formal, informal, and technical content.
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Sheryl Underwood Honored At Jcsu Commencement
In May 2025, Johnson C. Smith University celebrated comedian and television personality Sheryl Underwood with an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters. The ceremony, held on the campus grounds in Charlotte, North Carolina, welcomed thousands of graduates and guests. Underwood, who served as Past International President of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., was recognized not only for her trailblazing career in entertainment but also for her enduring advocacy for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
From Stage To Stage: A Lifetime Of Laughter And Leadership
Underwood’s recognition by JCSU extends decades of community engagement. After rising through the ranks of stand-up comedy and later joining the daytime chat show The Talk, she has leveraged her platform to highlight educational equity. A post on the official Zeta Phi Beta Instagram account noted, “Congratulations to Past International President, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Sheryl Underwood on receiving an honorary Doctorate at the 2025 Johnson C. Smith University Commencement Ceremony! Before delivering a powerful keynote address, Underwood was celebrated for her excellence in entertainment, advocacy for HBCUs and lifelong commitment to education and community uplift. #JCSU #HBCUExcellence #JCSUCommencement #zphib1920 #scholarship.” Photographs accompanying the post show Underwood in full academic regalia alongside sorority sisters.
Advocating For Hbcu Excellence
Underwood’s ties to HBCUs run deep. As Past International President of Zeta Phi Beta—a sorority founded at Howard University in 1920—she has championed scholarship programs and mentorship initiatives that benefit students across the nation. In an earlier Instagram announcement from JCSU’s official handle, the university hailed her as an “honorary Golden Bull,” underscoring her role as both a cultural ambassador and an ally to campus leadership. At the podium, she urged graduates to honor their heritage and invest in Marching Band programs, STEM scholarships, and alumni networks that keep these institutions strong.
A Keynote To Remember
Her commencement speech wove together humor and heart. Drawing on personal anecdotes from her early days performing in small comedy clubs, Underwood reminded graduates that resilience and self-belief can carry them through setbacks. She quipped about late-night writing sessions and early-morning flights, then turned serious: “Your degree is a tool—use it to uplift your community,” she said. The audience responded with sustained applause and laughter when she reflected on balancing motherhood, a full touring schedule, and daytime television.
Building A Legacy Of Community Uplift
Beyond the stage, Underwood continues to support HBCU scholarship funds and has appeared at multiple campus events this spring. She also serves on boards that develop literacy programs and health awareness campaigns. Her work exemplifies a model of celebrity influence grounded in service—an approach she reinforced in her address: “We laugh for a living, but we learn for a legacy.” As Dr. Underwood took her seat amid cheers, family members and former students beamed in the front rows.
Sheryl Underwood’s honorary doctorate from Johnson C. Smith University highlights a career that spans comedy, television, and activism. By celebrating her contributions to HBCUs and education, JCSU has underscored the value of public figures who invest in community uplift. As graduates disperse into new chapters, Underwood’s message will likely echo through alumni halls for years to come.
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