U.S. Rep. Shomari Figures, a Democrat from Alabama, brought a powerful blend of gratitude, defiance and inspiration to Tuskegee University’s spring commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 11. Figures delivered a keynote address that honored the legacy of the historic institution while challenging graduates to lead with purpose, persistence and principle.Speaking to a packed crowd on the eve of Mother’s Day, Figures began by shifting the spotlight from the graduates to the families and supporters who helped them reach the milestone.“Will all the parents please stand?” Figures asked, prompting a wave of applause. “They supplied the home-cooked meals, care packages, cash apps, gas money, Netflix passwords and more… today is your celebration, too.”
