Campus & Community
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar appointed Class Day speaker
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Photo by Dan Winters
NBA legend, celebrated writer, and humanitarian selected for ‘his lasting contributions towards establishing a more equitable and empathetic world’
Part of the
Commencement 2025
series
A collection of narratives covering Harvard University’s 374th Commencement.
Iconic basketball player, author, and activist Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is set to address the Harvard College Class of 2025 during the annual Class Day festivities on May 28, preceding Harvard’s 374th Commencement.
“We are thrilled to have Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as our keynote Class Day speaker,” expressed Uzma Issa ’25, chief marshal for the 2025 Class Committee. “He is a champion in every sense — recognized for his incredible accomplishments on the court as well as his enduring efforts to create a fairer and kinder society. He exemplifies that genuine leadership is gauged by the impact we have on people’s lives.”
“It’s an honor to share this occasion with the Class of 2025 and to celebrate all that is to come,” remarked Abdul-Jabbar. “The world needs their insights, their enthusiasm, and their compassion. I hope my message will motivate them to continue learning, evolving, and showing up — for themselves and for others.”
Renowned as one of the greatest basketball players in history, Abdul-Jabbar is also an acclaimed author, cultural figure, and relentless advocate for social justice. In 2016, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom — the nation’s highest civilian accolade — in acknowledgment of his contributions both on and off the court.
The 7-foot-2 Hall of Famer ruled the NBA for twenty years, utilizing his signature skyhook, and became the league’s all-time leading scorer — a record he maintained for 39 years. A 19-time NBA All-Star and six-time NBA champion, he stands as the only player in NBA history to secure six Most Valuable Player awards. Time magazine once referred to him as “History’s Greatest Player.”
After retiring in 1989, Abdul-Jabbar continued to leverage his influence to challenge prevailing public perceptions on various issues. As a prominent columnist, he has contributed to major media platforms globally and now regularly publishes on his Substack newsletter. A nine-time Southern California Journalism Awards Columnist of the Year, he is renowned for his sharp insights on sports, politics, and pop culture. Today, he remains a vocal and esteemed advocate addressing racism and inequality in America.
A New York Times bestselling author of 20 works, Abdul-Jabbar’s upcoming book, “We All Want to Change the World: My Journey Through Social Justice Movements From the 1960s to Today,” provides a comprehensive narrative of the protest movements that transformed America, slated for release in May.
Abdul-Jabbar traces his activism back to his high school days in Harlem, where he had the opportunity to pose a question to Martin Luther King Jr. during a news conference. This brief interaction ignited a lifelong dedication to combating injustices such as systemic racism and disparities in education, health, and employment.
Designated as a U.S. Cultural Ambassador by the State Department in 2012, he was responsible for fostering education, racial acceptance, and intercultural understanding among youth globally. In 2021, the NBA established the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion Award to honor up-and-coming athletes striving to uplift their communities. His community service endeavors have garnered multiple honors, including Harvard’s W.E.B. Du Bois Medal in 2022.
Abdul-Jabbar is the founder and chair of The Skyhook Foundation, which delivers science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education to underprivileged communities in Los Angeles.
As an award-winning documentary producer and two-time Emmy-nominated narrator, Abdul-Jabbar is featured in one of HBO’s most-viewed sports documentaries of all time, “Kareem: Minority of One.” His appearances on screen span countless legendary film and television roles.
“Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has dedicated a lifetime to speaking out against injustice and utilizing his platform to educate and motivate,” stated Srija Vem ’25, second marshal of the 2025 Class Committee. “As we get ready to embark on our next phases in life, his legacy serves as a reminder that we all have the chance — and duty — to use our voices, intellect, and skills in service of something greater.”
Alongside Abdul-Jabbar’s address, Class Day will feature award presentations and student speeches. The event is set to commence at 2 p.m. on May 28 in Tercentenary Theatre and will be streamed live.