Jenifer Lewis to speak at Brown School’s 2025 Recognition Ceremony 

Jenifer Lewis, an award-winning actress, activist, and author, will be the featured speaker at the Brown School’s 2025 Recognition Ceremony, announced Dorian Traube, the Neidorff Family and Centene Corporation Dean of the Brown School and a professor. 

Traube shared the news on Monday, March 31, during a celebratory toast in Brookings Quadrangle honoring the Class of 2025, which includes undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree candidates. 

The Brown School’s Recognition Ceremony is set for 3:30 p.m. Saturday, May 10, at the Athletic Complex Field House on the Danforth Campus.

“This class and this commencement are particularly special to the Brown School as we celebrate 100 years of educating social workers, policy specialists, and public health professionals. We had to celebrate that in style, “Traube said. “We took extra care in finding a great speaker for this year as we wanted someone who models our core commitments—someone world-class yet deeply connected to St. Louis. It is my honor to announce that we have selected Jenifer Lewis.” 

“Her face is familiar to nearly everyone,” Traube continued. “She has appeared in more than 300 movies and television shows, including “black-ish” and “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.” But beyond her remarkable career in music and acting, we are especially excited to welcome her because of her advocacy—using her platform to destigmatize mental illness and promote belonging and inclusion. Her courage and excellence make her the perfect person to help launch our Class of 2025 into the world.” 

Often called a “national treasure” and a force to be reckoned with, Lewis starred in the eight-season hit TV show “black-ish” and has appeared in over 400 episodic television shows, 68 movies, 143 animations, and four Broadway shows. In November 2022, she published her second critically acclaimed book “Walking in My Joy: In These Streets,” and was honored by the Congressional Black Caucus. She received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on July 15, 2022. Lewis was born and raised in Kinloch, Missouri.  

Additionally, Simone Biles, widely regarded as one of the greatest athletes of all time, will deliver the 2025 Commencement address at 9 a.m. Monday, May 12, on Francis Olympic Field on the Danforth Campus. During the commencement ceremony, Lewis will receive an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts. 

For more information about the Brown School Recognition Ceremony, visit this website.