He’s going to remind HU that they can go anywhere and do anything!
For generations, LeVar Burton has reminded us of the power of education and literacy to open up a world of possibilities. And on May 10, 2025, he’ll bring that same spirit to the Mecca, serving as the keynote speaker for Howard University’s 157th Commencement Ceremony, where he will also be awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree, WUSA 9 News reports.
Best known for his decades-long work as the beloved host of Reading Rainbow, Burton’s impact goes far beyond television. A multi-hyphenate artist with roles as an actor, director, producer, author, and podcaster, Burton has shaped culture across mediums while remaining steadfast in his commitment to literacy, storytelling, and community.
He’s earned 15 Emmy Awards, a Grammy Award, a Peabody, and seven NAACP Awards, including a Lifetime Achievement Award at the inaugural Children’s & Family Emmys. His iconic portrayals—from Kunta Kinte in Roots to Lt. Commander Geordi LaForge in Star Trek: The Next Generation—have helped redefine Black representation on screen while opening up new worlds for audiences everywhere.
Burton’s contributions to education and advocacy are equally profound. His podcast, LeVar Burton Reads, has surpassed 25 million downloads, and his film, The Right to Read, which he executive produced, frames America’s literacy crisis as a civil rights issue. Through his company, LeVar Burton Entertainment, he continues to develop projects that, in his words, “foster empathy, champion diversity, and build community.”
Burton will address graduates from across Howard’s 14 schools and colleges during the ceremony on the HBCU’s main campus. He will be joined in receiving an honorary degree by a distinguished group of changemakers, including neuroscience pioneer Emery Neal Brown, Ph.D., former Congresswoman and the first Black woman mayor of Oakland, Barbara Lee, Lilian Seenoi-Barr, the first Black mayor in Northern Ireland, and Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Natasha Trethewey.
As he prepares to stand before Howard University’s Class of 2025, Burton continues to be a living example of the very lesson he taught millions: “Take a look, it’s in a book.” This time, the book is his legacy—one that has inspired generations to read more, dream bigger, and believe that anything is possible.
Cover photo: LeVar Burton to Give Commencement Address & Receive Honorary Doctorate at Howard University/Photo credit: Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP