Tyler Perry Addresses Tuskegee University

TUSKEGEE, ALA – Tyler Perry brought his message of inspiration and encouragement to the newest class of Tuskegee University graduates. The multi-talented entertainer gave the keynote address for the 2016 Spring Commencement Exercises. Perry spoke to approximately 500-plus graduates on May 7 in the Gen. Daniel “Chappie” James Arena.

Perry is the latest in a succession of notable figures in the arts and entertainment industry that have been invited to enlighten the university community and follows First Lady Michelle Obama, who addressed graduates last spring. In 2015, actress and director Phylicia Rashad was the speaker for the Summer Commencement Exercises. Also, the institution has recently culminated its Tuskegee University Lyceum Series that invited guest speakers such as actress Tasha Smith and author Wes Moore. Tuskegee University President Brian Johnson’s vision for transforming Tuskegee and obtaining an increased enrollment includes university-wide initiatives, many of which involve building a culture around the arts and humanities. One of these initiatives includes putting an “A” in STEM to create STEAM.

“Tuskegee University was thrilled to have Mr. Tyler Perry. Similar to Mrs. Michelle Obama’s spring 2015 commencement address at Tuskegee, Mr. Perry left an indelible mark upon its graduates for the rest of their lives. Furthermore, Mr. Perry’s global contributions to film, media, service, philanthropy, and the arts embody a significant piece of the university’s trajectory seen in the recent board of trustees adopted strategic plan, and a recent $500,000 gift from the Andrew W. Mellon foundation to establish a new music and performing arts program to assist the university in putting the “A” in STEM.” Johnson said.

Difficult road to triumph
Perry’s inspirational journey from the hard streets of New Orleans to the heights of Hollywood’s A-list is the stuff of an American legend. Born into poverty and raised in a household scarred by abuse, he fought from a young age to find the strength, faith and perseverance that would later form the foundations of his much-acclaimed plays, films, books and shows.

It was a simple piece of advice from Oprah Winfrey that set Perry’s career in motion. Encouraged to keep a diary of his daily thoughts and experiences, he began writing a series of soul-searching letters to himself. The letters, full of pain and in time, forgiveness, became a healing catharsis. His writing inspired a musical, “I Know I’ve Been Changed,” and in 1992, he gathered his life’s savings in hopes of staging it for sold out crowds. He spent all the money but the people never came, and Perry once again came face to face with the poverty that had plagued his youth. He spent months sleeping in seedy motels and his car but his faith – in God and, in turn, himself – only got stronger. He forged a powerful relationship with the church, and kept writing. In 1998, his perseverance paid off and a promoter booked “I Know I’ve Been Changed” for a limited run at a local church-turned-theatre. This time, the community came out in droves, and soon the musical moved to Atlanta’s prestigious Fox Theatre. Perry never looked back.