Grammy-nominated singer Anthony Hamilton was awarded an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree from Johnson C. Smith University (JSCU), an HBCU located in his hometown of Charlotte, North Carolina, on Sunday.
JCSU President Clarence D. Armbrister presented Hamilton with the honorary doctorate in front of 200 students during the 2023 2023 commencement ceremony at the Bojangles Coliseum.
Hamilton, the hometown hero, also gave the keynote address at the graduation.
“One of the many reasons I’m honored to be here with you today is because I admire your generation,” Hamilton shared. “Whether it’s in the streets marching against injustice, volunteering in the community, working in the classroom, or speaking out online, you are unafraid. Fearless. You don’t back down. You think differently and you fight differently.”
Hamilton went to Instagram to celebrate his achievement. “Introducing Doctor Anthony Cornelius Hamilton (Honorary Doctor of Fine Arts,” he wrote. “THANK YOU Johnson C. Smith University and all who made this special moment possible.”
Before Hamilton took part in the JCSU commencement, he performed at the eighth annual Black Music Honors alongside rapper and mogul David Banner. It is unclear at this time who Hamilton and Banner honored at the celebration, which was taped in Atlanta, Georgia.
Previously announced honorees include SWV (Urban Music Icon), Evelyn “Champagne” King (R&B Music Icon), Jeffrey Osborne (Legends Award), Missy Elliott (Music Innovator Icon) and The Hawkins Family (Gospel Music Icon).
The 2023 Black Music Honors will air Saturday, June 3, with national broadcast syndication from June 10 – July 2. It will also air on Bounce TV on June 19.
Hamilton has more in the tank when it comes to performing. He will support his most recent album, 2021’s Love Is The New Black, at the Soul Beach Music Festival in Aruba on Saturday, May 27.
From there, Hamilton will resume singing nationwide at various spring and summer concerts and festivals. Ticket details and dates for his many upcoming shows are available at ratedrnb.com.