North Carolina Central University (NCCU) will welcome three distinguished alumni to address the class of 2025 during its 145th Commencement Exercises, scheduled for May 9-10, 2025, in McDougald-McLendon Arena at 700 E. Lawson St.
Speakers include Durham Mayor Leo Williams ’05,’15, Pulitzer-nominated journalist Ernie Suggs ’90 and public affairs strategist Reggie McCrimmon ‘13.
NCCU will host three ticketed ceremonies to honor its spring graduates.
Ceremony Schedule:
-
Friday, May 9, 2 p.m.: Baccalaureate ceremony for the College of Health and Sciences and the School of Education, featuring remarks by Mayor Williams.
-
Saturday, May 10, 9 a.m.: Graduate and professional ceremony, featuring Suggs.
-
Saturday, May 10, 2 p.m. Baccalaureate ceremony for the College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, and School of Business, featuring McCrimmon.
About the Commencement Speakers:
Mayor Williams is an educator-turned-entrepreneur and public servant. A proud Eagle, he earned a bachelor’s degree in music education and a master’s in educational leadership from NCCU. A two-time Teacher of the Year during his time in Durham Public Schools, Williams later co-founded Zweli’s—the first full-service Zimbabwean restaurant in the United States. Now serving as mayor of Durham, he champions small business growth, workforce development and youth engagement. In 2024, he launched the Bull City Future Fund, a public-private partnership supporting youth-focused organizations. He also addressed national audiences as a featured speaker at the 2024 Democratic National Convention.
Suggs, a 1990 graduate with a degree in English literature, covers race and culture for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. At NCCU, he served as editor-in-chief of The Campus Echo. Over his career, Suggs has received national recognition for his journalism, including a Pulitzer-nominated series on the future of historically Black colleges and universities. He is the author of “The Many Lives of Andrew Young” and the producer of the Emmy-nominated documentary “The South Got Something To Say,” which explores the legacy of Southern hip-hop. In 2021, an endowed scholarship was established in his name to support NCCU journalism students who contribute to The Campus Echo. Suggs was named a Nieman Fellow at Harvard University in 2008 and currently serves on the Nieman Foundation at Harvard’s advisory board.
McCrimmon is a respected voice in national public policy and holds the position of senior vice president at Crossroads Strategies in Washington, D.C., where he advises Fortune 500 companies on public affairs strategy. A former senior policy professional at Google and X (formerly Twitter), McCrimmon has led global policy initiatives on artificial intelligence, consumer safety and social impact. He previously worked as the director of member services and external affairs for the Congressional Black Caucus and was president of the Congressional Black Associates.
At NCCU, McCrimmon earned a bachelor’s in political science, served two terms as Student Government Association president and held a seat on the board of trustees.
Security and Streaming:
To ensure the safety of guests and graduates, NCCU will conduct security screenings and enforce its clear bag policy. Permitted bags must be clear plastic, vinyl or PVC, no larger than 12 x 12 x 6 inches. Small clutches no larger than 4.5" x 6.5" x 1" are allowed. Exceptions will be made for medical and baby needs.
All ceremonies will stream live on the university’s website and YouTube channel.
For more information about NCCU’s 145th Commencement Exercises, visit nccu.edu/145Commencement.