Shaw University Names Edwina Findley Dickerson as 2026 Commencement Speaker

Edwina Findley Dickerson, author and award-winning actress, will serve as the keynote speaker for Shaw University’s 2026 Commencement Ceremony.

Commencement will be held Saturday, May 9, 2026, 10 a.m. at the Raleigh Convention Center, celebrating the accomplishments of the Class of 2026.

“The ceremony marks a milestone moment for the Class of 2026 as they prepare to lead, serve, and make an impact beyond Shaw University. We are proud to welcome Edwina Findley Dickerson, whose accomplishments reflect the values we instill in our graduates,” said Paulette R. Dillard, president and CEO of Shaw University.

Findley Dickerson is an accomplished actress whose work spans film, television, and stage. She has recently added author to her list of achievements. Her first book, The World Is Waiting For You, features a foreword by Academy Award-winning actress Viola Davis and outlines her personal roadmap for pursuing purpose with clarity and intention.

She made her primetime debut on The Wire and later starred in If Loving You Is Wrong. Her recent work includes a role in The Residence, produced by Shonda Rhimes, which premiered on Netflix in 2025. She has also appeared in The Power, Fear the Walking Dead, Veep, and Chicago Med. Her film credits include Ava DuVernay’s Middle of Nowhere and Free in Deed, earning an Independent Spirit Award nomination, along with the Warner Bros. comedy Get Hard alongside Kevin Hart and Will Ferrell.

In addition to her work on screen, Findley Dickerson is a sought-after speaker and co-founder of AbundantLifeU, a nonprofit that empowers individuals to discover their purpose and create meaningful impact. She was born in Washington, D.C. and trained at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts before earning her degree from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts.