TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — By the time the last graduate crossed the stage Saturday, May 2, inside the Alfred Lawson Multipurpose Center, the energy felt familiar in a way only an HBCU like Florida A&M University can deliver. It was equal parts celebration, reflection and an understanding that something bigger than a ceremony had took place.
It wasn’t just about degrees. It was about who the graduates would become.
“This commencement, FAMU celebrates 1,271 graduates from all 14 of our colleges and schools. Today, this class joins more than 80,000 Rattlers in every state, on every continent, in every industry that matters,” said President Marva B. Johnson.
Earlier that morning, the University celebrated the College of Agriculture and Food Sciences, College of Social Sciences, Arts, and Humanities [Military Commissioning], and School of Architecture and Engineering Technology
During the afternoon ceremony University leadership sent off the College of Law, College of Science and Technology, School of Business and Industry, School of Journalism & Graphic Communication, School of Nursing, and FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, which included their largest graduating class in recent years, with 56 students.
President Johnson’s message was clear to all of them, while FAMU had been their home, it was no longer just the place they went to college.
“FAMU is who you are. From 19 to 63 [years of age], you prove this house is built for every chapter of life,” she said. “You graduate from a research enterprise that secured one hundred and twelve million dollars this year. That credential carries that weight everywhere it goes. Thank you for choosing FAMU. Congratulations!”
Welcome home Omar Goff
That sense of identity and preparation carried into the keynote, Omar Goff, whose message was about reflection and real-world application through his lens.
“Standing before you today is more than an honor. It is truly a full-circle moment,” he said. “Because I am you.”
But when he spoke, it didn’t feel like an address. It felt more like a conversation with people who already knew the story because he too, lived and loved FAMU.
Before he was the end-to-end commercial leader for Head & Shoulders, North America, Goff served as president of Mielle, where he led one of the fastest-growing textured haircare brands into its next era under Procter & Gamble.
Yet Saturday, he was a Spring 2004 summa cum laude graduate who came home for a visit and was having a chat with his FAMUly.
“Some of y’all are still a little uncertain right now. Like, ‘I have to pay my own cell-phone bill now. When do these student loans kick in again?’” he joked, letting the laughter settle in for a minute.
But his humor never distracted from the message. It connected, even when he shared that he had the same birthday as Louis Vuitton and stayed “Louie down to the socks,” another moment that drew chuckles from the crowd.
And in between the wit, Goff told his story.
“I am the son of two immigrants from Belize… high school educated… who came to this country with no resources, but a whole lot of resolve,” he said. “I am the first on both sides of my family to earn a Master’s degree, but I didn’t stop there. I like to be first; not for glory, but to open doors for others.”
He then gave an example, referring to when he signed Angel Reese to a major brand partnership before she joined the WNBA.
“While working with the WNBA, I created the first hair care brand partnership designed for Black women, who make up 80% of the league and deserve to be celebrated,” he emphasized.
And Goff didn’t talk at the graduates. He talked to them. He saw who they could be beyond the Highest of Seven Hills.
“And when I look out at all of you, I don’t just see graduates. I see future firsts,” he said. “Doctors, lawyers, engineers, educators, executives, entrepreneurs, creators; leaders ready to break ceilings and build legacies.”
Then he said something that seemed every Rattler, young or seasoned, understood.
“We all know something about FAMU; nothing is out of our reach.”
A moment that became a movement
From there, the speech shifted from inspiration to action because Goff showed what it meant to invest in the future and move FAMU forward.
“For years, I dreamed of seeing my name on the SBI Big Board,” he said. “And today… that dream becomes real.”
He then announced a $100,000 of his “personal” money for a “Possibility in Action” endowment for the School of Business and Industry (SBI).
And just when everyone thought that was it, he had more.
Goff shared that the founders of Mielle, his friends, Melvin and Monique Rodriguez have been surrounded and inspired by FAMU Excellence for years throughout their journey, and are matching his commitment with their own personal entrepreneurship endowment.
“Which will provide students, who like them, would not have the opportunity to demonstrate excellence and in doing so uplift communities as they have,” he said, acknowledging the power of relationships, describing it as not only access but impact and legacy.
And just when everyone thought that was it, there was still more.
Goff revealed that after a conversation with Thasunda Brown Duckett, president and CEO of TIAA, who served as Friday’s commencement speaker, she was also matching his contribution.
Just like that, three relationships—three connections—came together and changed the lives of future generations they may never meet.
When you’re in the room, make it count
Goff then laid out five principles he encouraged the graduates to take with them long after the celebratory parties were over.
“Make excellence your brand,” he said. “Excellence is not something you turn on when it’s convenient. It is how you operate every day.”
He urged them to live authentically and without fear.
“Do not shrink. Do not adjust yourself to fit others. Because when you move away from who you are, you move away from your power,” he said.
Third, he told the graduates to dream big, but execute bigger.
“Dreams are common. Execution is rare. Be disciplined. Be consistent. Finish what you start,” he challenged.
Goff pressed them to “make it count” once they receive a chance to make things happen.
“When you earn your way into rooms of influence: Speak. Challenge. Contribute. Lead,” he said.
His fifth jewel was that relationships are currency, something he displayed when announcing the three monetary donations earlier.
“Some of the people I call classmates are leaders across several industries. Kamau Murray coached [tennis] great Sloane Stephens to a Grand Slam title. [He] is expanding access to the sport through his very own academy in Chicago, XS Tennis,” Goff said.
Calling all leaders to the stage
While Saturday’s ceremonies were full of surprises like generous endowments, it also marked the exit of some of the university’s most visible student leaders.
Oluwamodupe “Dupe” Oloyede, FAMU’s first head female drum major, accepted her degree to a round of ear-shattering screams and shouts. Goff also highlighted Oloyede in his remarks, announcing her brand deal with Head & Shoulders.
King and Queen of Orange and Green Gucciany Prince Toussaint and Tamia Adriana Williams crossed the stage to similar applause, and Zayla Bryant, who served as Student Government Association president, received her degree in business administration to the same enthusiastic response.
Reflecting on the moment, she kept it real.
“I’m just so happy to be here and make it to this moment. I really don’t know how to feel,” said Bryant, who also served on the University’s Board of Trustees. “I’m just glad it’s over and what’s next is me attending Colombia University getting my master’s in negotiation and conflict resolution.”
And then, the sendoff
Before stepping away from the podium, Goff had to make the call every Rattler knows and appears to never grow tired of hearing.
“Congratulations, Class of 2026. And as always, strike, strike and strike again.”
And just like that, they didn’t just leave as graduates; they walked out carrying FAMU on their backs.
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