Last Thursday, the winter class of 2024 at Bowie State University in Maryland got a graduation send-off from a music industry icon. Legendary recording artist and entrepreneur MC Lyte was the keynote speaker at their commencement ceremony, and she brought down the house with her powerful words.
She shared the importance of recognizing the power and potential they have as HBCU students, and to embrace their roles as “change-makers” in society. When it was over, she said “I can’t even tell you how many times I held back tears today… specifically with the moments where I could see that they had others here to cheer them on, and sometimes that’s all it takes, is someone while you’re doing the work to support you while you’re doing it.”
And MC Lyte puts her money where her mouth is. She’s well known for her community service, including over $1 million in scholarships awarded to students through her nonprofit organization, Hip Hop Sisters Foundation, to uplift young women and girls through the power of education.