Photo by: Missy Elliott’s Instagram
Creative genius Missy Elliott deserves all her flowers!
In May 2019, when she got an honorary doctorate from the Berklee College of Music alongside Justin Timberlake and Alex Lacamoire, Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliott officially became Dr. Elliott.
The Virginia-native icon has now received her second honorary degree from Norfolk State University.
“I’m looking around and I see innovators, visionaries, leaders created in here. I want to see these same faces years from now saying … ’I became famous, I became president, I became a lawyer.’ All of those things,” she stated during the Class of 2022’s fall commencement speech on December 10th.
The Virginia native continued.
“I am proud of y’all, and y’all should be proud of yourself. I want you to look at each other and say, ‘You already won.’ Let ’em know! Ain’t no winning, you already the one. ‘Cause y’all coulda been doing anything else the last few years, y’all coulda been wildin’ out, but y’all decided to finish the course. And that’s major.”
The university’s “most prestigious award,” the Presidential Commencement Medallion, was given to Elliott by Norfolk State University’s President Javaune Adams-Gaston.
An honorary doctorate in humane letters was also awarded to the Supa Dupa Fly legend in honor of her “outstanding professional achievements and extraordinary contributions to public service.”
Elliott responded by giving $20,000 to “the area of greatest need,” which was confirmed by a university representative.
Congratulations to the Graduating Class of Norfolk State University, and Missy Elliott!
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