[READ: Michelle Obama Adresses 2011 Spelman Graduates – PHOTOS/VIDEO]
Winfrey told the graduates and their families at Spelman?s 125th commencement ceremony:
“Never forget that you did not do this by yourself,?
?You come here today trailing the breath of the ancestors and of the angels.?
As graduates listened intently to every word of talk show maven during the ceremony held at the Georgia International Convention Center, she revealed a few keys to success.
Details + more photos below…
First, Winfrey advised grads to know themselves and what they want.
?My answer is, I am God?s child,? Winfrey said.
She also relayed an “Oprah-ism” regarding envisioning your future:
?You must have some kind of vision for your life, even if you don?t have a plan,? she said.
And last but not least, Winfrey told graduates to find a way to serve and to always do the right thing.
?Do the right thing, even when other people think it may not be.”
Spelman honored Winfrey with an honorary doctorate in 1993 and on Sunday she was presented with its Community Service Award to acknowledge among other things, her Oprah?s Angel Network, which has raised more than $80 million for charity projects around the world.
As you know, Oprah has also been a huge supporter of Spelman’s “brother” college, Morehouse, through The Oprah Winfrey Scholarship.
Sunday morning, the 2012 graduating classes of both historically black colleges, Spelman and Morehouse, held commencement services and there were 500 Morehouse men in the graduating class of 2012.
The Oprah Winfrey Foundation has also awarded hundreds of grants to groups that support the education and empowerment of women, children and families.
Congrats to all of the graduates of 2012!
What advice would you give impressionable youngsters entering the workforce?