Goodwin University will welcome award-winning actor, educator, and social justice advocate Dr. Malik Yoba as the keynote speaker for the University’s 2026 Commencement ceremony on Thursday, June 4, 2026, at One Riverside Drive in East Hartford, Connecticut. Yoba will also receive a Doctor of Humane Letters in recognition of his lifelong commitment to advocacy, education, and the arts.
A three-time recipient of the NAACP Image Award, Dr. Yoba has demonstrated a dedication to empowering communities and advancing social equity for more than three decades. Born in the South Bronx and raised in Harlem, he made his screen debut in the 1993 Disney film Cool Runnings before going on to star in groundbreaking roles across film and television, including projects with FOX, Netflix, and BET.
Beyond his work in entertainment, Yoba is the founder and CEO of Yoba Development, a mission-driven portfolio company focused on education, media, and sustainable community development, and a co-founder of Yoba Global Solutions. In 2024, he was appointed to the U.S. EXIM Bank Advisory Board for Sub-Saharan Africa.
In addition, Goodwin University will confer honorary degrees upon Jay Williams, Nancy P. Hoffman, and Jeffrey S. Hoffman, recognizing their exceptional leadership in philanthropy, community development, and the arts.
Jay Williams has served as President and CEO of the Greater Hartford Gives Foundation since 2017, where he has led initiatives focused on equity, economic mobility, and community impact. His career includes senior leadership roles at the federal level and service as Mayor of Youngstown, Ohio.
Nancy and Jeffrey Hoffman will be honored for their longstanding philanthropic leadership and support of arts, education, and healthcare organizations across Greater Hartford. Their collective efforts have strengthened cultural institutions and expanded charitable giving throughout the region for decades.
Goodwin University will celebrate Commencement on Thursday, June 4, 2026, at 4:00 p.m., with an outdoor ceremony held in the courtyard at One Riverside Drive on the University’s East Hartford campus. University leadership, trustees, faculty, and staff will join graduates and their guests to commemorate this milestone, as more than 500 students are expected to earn associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees.
The 2026 Commencement ceremony is a ticketed event. Additional details, including student speakers, will be announced closer to the event. Members of the media are invited to attend, with early entrance available.
For more information about Goodwin University’s 2026 Commencement Ceremony, visit goodwin.edu/commencement.
Bri Gagné is a content developer at Goodwin University, bringing backgrounds in literary studies, creative storytelling, Universal Design for Learning (UDL), and social justice. They earned their bachelor’s degree in English Literature, Film Studies, and Gender Studies from University of Connecticut and a master’s in Elementary Education from Eastern Connecticut State University.
After teaching English abroad and locally, Bri transitioned to a full-time writing career, contributing to the University’s educational narratives and brand-building efforts. They are currently earning their Master of Fine Arts in Popular Fiction Writing and Publishing at Emerson College.