Spelman College

Because of you, Spelman students have the resources, opportunities, and support they need to dream bigger, achieve more, and lead with purpose. Every gift, no matter the size, helps strengthen the programs, spaces, and experiences that make a Spelman education transformative. Join us in keeping today and for generations to come. Make your impact:

FY26 End of Fiscal Year Campaign Join me and make a gift to Spelman before the end of the fiscal year!

This month, we celebrate the strength, brilliance, and impact of our LGBTQIA+ students, faculty, staff, and alumnae who continue to shape and enrich our community every day. At Spelman, we remain committed to fostering a campus culture rooted in inclusion, belonging, respect, and love. Today and every day, we stand proudly in support of authenticity, equity, and the freedom for every member of our community to be seen, valued, and celebrated.

Innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship were on full display at the Center for Black Entrepreneurship’s second annual New Venture Competition hosted by Spelman College on April 23. Congratulations to Eden Wilson, C’2028, who earned first place in the idea track and the audience choice award; Kharma Wilson, C’2027, for winning second place in the idea track; and Faith Sonime, C’2027, for earning second place in the growth track. We are proud to celebrate these students for turning bold ideas into impact. Read more: https://www.spelman.edu/news/2026/05/spelman-college-celebrates-three-students-for-their-win-in-the-second-annual-cbe-new-venture-competition.html

We proudly celebrate the Department of Dance Performance & Choreography on its Southeast Emmy nomination for Beyond the Movement! Congratulations to the featured talent, WABE Studios, and the Mary Schmidt Campbell Center for Innovation & the Arts for their partnership and support in bringing this powerful documentary to life.

Congratulations to Alicia Gant, C’2008, on being named District Teacher of the Year for Clayton County Public Schools for 2026–2027! Selected from a distinguished group of six district finalists, Ms. Gant continues to exemplify excellence in education, leadership, and service. We are proud to celebrate this incredible achievement and the impact she is making in the classroom and beyond.

Congratulations to Chief Financial Officer Dawn Alston on being named the 2026 CFO of the Year in the Nonprofit, Government, and Education sector by the Atlanta Business Chronicle. This prestigious honor recognizes her exceptional financial leadership, unwavering integrity, and steadfast commitment to advancing the sustainability and growth of our historic institution. After being recognized as a finalist last year, we are proud to celebrate this well-deserved achievement. Read more: https://www.spelman.edu/news/2026/05/spelman-college-chief-financial-officer-dawn-alston-named-atlanta-business-chronicles-2026-cfo-of-the-year.html

Spelman College’s Commencement Weekend was an unforgettable celebration of the Class of 2026 and their journey of excellence, resilience, and impact. From Rev. Dr. Gina M. Stewart’s inspiring Baccalaureate message to Symone Sanders Townsend’s uplifting Commencement address, our graduates were encouraged to lead boldly, dream bigger, and embrace the future ahead. We were also honored to present Symone Sanders Townsend with an honorary doctorate degree and to recognize Claire Babineaux-Fontenot with the National Community Service Award. Congratulations to the Class of 2026! We are cheering you on and wishing you continued success as you step into your next chapter.

Meet our Spelpreneur students, Ana Villavasso, C’2026, and Janii Corneh, C’2029. Through innovation, creativity, and leadership, these students are exploring the power of entrepreneurship and sharing the lessons they’ve learned through the Spelpreneur program. Their journeys reflect the next generation of changemakers building solutions and creating impact.

Because of you, legacy lives on. Thank you for showing up and giving back. Your support of helps students stay, grow, and thrive. Together, we honor our past and support the future.

Today’s the day! Commencement is a meaningful rite of passage, and the Spelman community proudly celebrates the hard work, sacrifices, accomplishments, and boundless promise of the Class of 2026. Tune in live at 2:30 p.m. ET at live.spelman.edu, Facebook, and YouTube.

Baccalaureate celebrates the spiritual diversity of Spelman’s campus and offers a heartfelt farewell to the senior class. Join us at 10 a.m. ET for an inspiring service with Rev. Dr. Gina M. Stewart, senior pastor of Christ Missionary Baptist Church in Memphis, Tennessee, where she has served since 1995, making history as the first African American woman to lead an established African American Baptist congregation in Memphis and Shelby County. Tune in http://live.spelman.edu, Facebook and YouTube.

Today, the Senior Class honors a cherished Spelman tradition, March Through the Alumnae Arch. As they step boldly from students to alumnae, we celebrate their legacy and the impact they will continue to make. Congratulations, Class of 2026! Tune in live at 2:00 p.m. ET http://live.spelman.edu, Facebook and YouTube.

This commencement season, we celebrate more than degrees. We celebrate determination, resilience, and the power of community support.

Through the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation’s $50 million HBCU scholarship initiative, nearly 600 students across Spelman College, Morehouse College, and Clark Atlanta University have received more than $4.2 million in gap funding to help them stay enrolled and cross the finish line.

This weekend, the initiative’s first spring graduates will walk across the stage, proving that investing in students changes lives, families, and communities for generations to come. Congratulations to Lillian English, C’2026, and Gianna Burns-Ferguson, C’2026! Wishing you continued success in all that’s ahead. Read more: https://www.spelman.edu/news/2026/05/4.2-million-and-counting-atlanta-hbcu-scholarship-initiative-powers-first-spring-graduates.html

Attending Commencement? Know before you go! Be sure to review the Senior FAQs for important information on tickets, parking, entry details, and more before the big day. Read more: https://www.spelman.edu/commencement/know-before-you-go/faq.html

Yesterday, we celebrated the incredible Class of 2026 at the Senior Soirée! This cherished tradition brings our graduating seniors together to reflect, rejoice, and celebrate the culmination of their Spelman journey in style.

Cheers to five decades of memories, laughter, and sisterhood! Celebrating the phenomenal Class of 1976 on your Golden 50th Reunion. Your legacy continues to inspire us all. Welcome home!

A voice rooted in faith, leadership, and service. We are honored to welcome Rev. Dr. Gina M. Stewart as the Baccalaureate Speaker for the Class of 2026. As senior pastor of Christ Missionary Baptist Church in Memphis, Tennessee, Dr. Stewart made history as the first African American woman to lead an established African American Baptist congregation in Memphis and Shelby County. A nationally respected preacher, teacher, and visionary leader, she continues to inspire communities through her commitment to justice, empowerment, and transformative leadership. Read more about our Baccalaureate Speaker here: https://www.spelman.edu/commencement/speaker/baccalaureate-speaker.html

Happy Mother’s Day to the amazing Spelman moms and mother figures. Today, we honor the love you give, the wisdom you share, and the strength you embody. Your impact is felt every day across our Spelman community. Thank you for all that you do.

You showed up for Founders Day. Now it’s time to do it again. Be among the first to give and set the tone for your class. Support and help students thrive. https://bit.ly/SpelmanReunion2026

Spelman College has been named the No. 1 top-producing institution for the prestigious Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship among colleges with fewer than 5,000 students! This honor, part of the Gilman Program’s 25th Anniversary Campaign led by the U.S. Department of State, recognizes institutions that have supported the most Gilman Scholars from 2001–2025. Read more: https://www.spelman.edu/news/2026/05/spelman-college-ranked-no-1-among-small-institutions-for-gilman-scholars.html

Renae Burress, C’94, has been named vice president of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and Talent Experience at TruStage. A proven leader, Renae brings deep expertise in building inclusive, high-performing cultures across global organizations. Here’s to continuing to lead, inspire, and create impact on a global scale.