Hollywood HBCU Grads Repping Their Alma Maters

Olandria Carthen – Tuskegee University

From Tuskegee to the villa to becoming one of our favorite fashion girls!

Before Olandria Carthen became the breakout Bama Barbie of Love Island USA, she was putting in WORK to earn her degree from Tuskegee University.

The first-generation college graduate earned her bachelor’s degree in logistics, materials and supply chain management in 2022. Olandria has shared that paying for college wasn’t always easy, and she worked long shifts, cleaned rentals and even wrote letters asking for financial assistance to make sure she could finish.

Now she’s taken that same determination from the yard to fashion campaigns, runways and red carpets around the world.

And one thing about Olandria: she’s going to let you know she’s a Tuskegee woman!

Megan Thee Stallion – Texas Southern University

Thee Hot Girl Coach is also Thee College Graduate!

Even while becoming one of the biggest rappers in the world, Megan Thee Stallion stayed committed to finishing her degree.

Meg graduated from Texas Southern University in 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in health administration, famously celebrating the milestone with her Hotties along for the ride.

And this wasn’t just about having another accomplishment to add to an already stacked résumé. Megan has spoken about wanting to make her late mother and grandmother proud and eventually using her degree to help provide healthcare resources in her community.

Grammy winner AND college graduate?

Real hot girl scholars!

Taylor Polidore Williams – Clark Atlanta University

Before Kimmie was running things on Netflix’s Beauty in Black, Taylor Polidore Williams was learning her hustle at Clark Atlanta University.

The Houston native graduated from CAU with a degree in Mass Media Arts with a concentration in Film and is also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Taylor has credited her HBCU experience with shaping the way she views community and helping her build a network that has followed her throughout her career.

Now she’s gone from studying film at CAU to leading one of Netflix’s buzziest shows.

That’s a Panther pipeline if we’ve ever seen one!

Zahara Marley Jolie – Spelman College

Spelman has a fresh alumna!

Zahara Marley Jolie graduated from Spelman College in May 2026 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology.

During her time on campus, Zahara fully embraced the Spelman experience and joined Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., following in a long legacy of Black women who’ve found sisterhood on HBCU campuses.

While the world may have first known her because of her famous parents, Zahara has been carving out an identity and community of her own.

From Spelman sister to Spelman GRADUATE!

Daria Johns – Spelman College

From Disney Channel to Spelman College, Daria Johns is officially adding HBCU student to her already impressive résumé!

The 18-year-old actress, best known as Simone on Disney’s Saturdays and Savannah on Netflix’s The Upshaws, started her freshman year at Spelman in fall 2026.

That means while most freshmen are adjusting to dorm life, dining halls, and making it to their 8 a.m. on time, Daria is doing all of that with an acting career already under her belt.

She’s also appeared in Nappily Ever After, mixed-ish and A Black Lady Sketch Show.

From walking red carpets to walking across the Spelman yard, Daria is officially one of the newest celebrity Spelmanites to watch!

Derrick A. King – Clark Atlanta University

If you’ve watched Netflix’s Why Did I Get Married Again? and found yourself asking, “Now WHO is that man playing Nick?” allow us to introduce you to a Clark Atlanta University alum.

Derrick A. King plays Nick opposite Taraji P. Henson’s Roselyn in the latest installment of Tyler Perry’s franchise.

And social media certainly noticed.

Fans have joked that the handsome actor looks like Chadwick Boseman and Blair Underwood had a baby, and once you see it, you can’t exactly unsee it.

Long before becoming one of Netflix’s newest faces, Derrick attended Clark Atlanta University, where he began acting in a web series while still in school.

From CAU to leading-man territory, we see you, Derrick!

Birgundi Baker – Howard University

If you’ve been watching The Chi, then you already know Birgundi Baker as Kiesha Williams.

But before she became a familiar face on our screens, Birgundi was studying Musical Theatre at Howard University, where she earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree.

Since leaving The Mecca, she’s built a résumé that includes The Chi, Empire, Station 19, Chicago Med, Black Lightning and Praise This.

From Howard’s theatre program to becoming one of the women we’ve watched grow on The Chi, Birgundi is another reminder that The Mecca stays producing talent.

Lady London – Howard University

Before Lady London picked up the mic professionally, sis had a whole medical career mapped out.

The rapper earned her bachelor’s degree in sports medicine and chemistry from Howard University before heading to USC for a master’s in global medicine and international health policy.

Yes, you read that correctly.

London originally planned to become an orthopedic surgeon before her poetry and razor-sharp bars started going viral and sent her down an entirely different path.

She still proudly reps The Mecca and has even returned to Howard to perform and speak about hip-hop.

Beauty, bars AND brains.

Kennedi Reece – Howard University

Talk about perfect timing.

Kennedi Reece graduated from Howard University in 2026 with a BFA and went almost directly from The Mecca to Hillman.

The actress stars as Hazel Henry in Netflix’s new A Different World, bringing a special perspective to the role because she balanced her senior year at a real HBCU while filming a show about HBCU life.

Even better? Kennedi landed the role after Howard alum Debbie Allen came to campus looking for talent.

From Howard to Hillman sounds like destiny to us.

Laila Pruitt – Howard University

Howard has another young actress making moves.

Laila Pruitt is best known for playing Nicole Flenory on STARZ’s BMF, but while viewers were watching her on television, she was also studying theatre at Howard University.

Talk about balancing call times and class times!

Her journey is another example of young HBCU talent getting professional experience before they’ve even finished making memories on the yard.

Ryan Jamaal Swain – Howard University

Pose fans will recognize Ryan Jamaal Swain as Damon Richards, the young dancer finding his footing in New York’s ballroom scene.

Before Ryan was voguing across our screens, he studied at Howard University and trained in the arts.

His breakout role on the Emmy-winning series introduced him to audiences around the world, adding another Bison to the long list of Howard-trained performers making their mark on Hollywood.

J.R. Smith – North Carolina A&T State University

J.R. Smith took a VERY different route to becoming an HBCU grad.

After spending 16 seasons in the NBA and winning two championships, Smith did something most professional athletes don’t do after leaving the league: he went back to school.

He enrolled at North Carolina A&T, joined the Aggies golf team and ultimately earned his degree in 2026.

Imagine going from guarding NBA players to stressing over assignments and tee times with classmates.

It’s never too late to get that degree!

Pinky Cole – Clark Atlanta University

Before Slutty Vegan became a household name, Pinky Cole was a Panther.

The entrepreneur graduated from Clark Atlanta University in 2009 with a degree in Mass Communication/Media Studies and even served as Miss Clark Atlanta University.

Years later, she returned to her alma mater as the 2022 commencement speaker and surprised the graduating class by announcing that she would help every graduate establish an LLC.

Now THAT is how you come back and pour into the yard that poured into you.

Terrence J – North Carolina A&T State University

Before 106 & Park, E! News, movies, and red carpets, Terrence J was an Aggie.

Terrence graduated from North Carolina A&T in 2004 with a degree in Mass Communication before becoming one of entertainment media’s most recognizable personalities.

His career eventually expanded from hosting into acting and producing, including executive producing the Oscar-winning short film Two Distant Strangers.

And through all of it, Terrence has continued to proudly rep A&T.

AGGIE PRIDE!

K. Michelle – Florida A&M University

Long before reality TV and R&B stardom, K. Michelle was a Rattler.

The singer attended Florida A&M University, where she was part of the HBCU experience before pursuing the music career that would eventually introduce us to that unmistakable voice and even more unmistakable personality.

From Tallahassee to topping R&B charts, K. Michelle has never been shy about where she comes from.

Lance Gross – Howard University

Calvin Payne is a Bison!

Before Lance Gross became the handsome husband we knew and loved on House of Payne, he attended Howard University and earned his bachelor’s degree in theatre.

He was also part of Howard’s legendary homecoming culture, including modeling in the homecoming fashion show during his college days.

Years later, Lance is still an avid Howardite and regularly returns to The Mecca.

Once a Bison, always a Bison.

Will Packer – Florida A&M University

Some of your favorite Black movies have a Rattler behind them.

Will Packer graduated from Florida A&M University before becoming the powerhouse producer behind hits including Girls Trip, Think Like a Man, Ride Along, and countless other projects.

And Will hasn’t forgotten where it started.

He’s continued giving back to FAMU over the years, and the university even has the Will Packer Performing Arts Amphitheater bearing his name.

From FAMU to building a Hollywood empire, that’s Rattler excellence!