{"id":1027,"date":"2021-04-02T16:17:00","date_gmt":"2021-04-02T16:17:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/virtualspeech.co\/?p=1027"},"modified":"2024-02-04T14:21:33","modified_gmt":"2024-02-04T14:21:33","slug":"top-5-commencement-speeches-for-inspiration","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/virtualspeech.com\/blog\/top-5-commencement-speeches-for-inspiration","title":{"rendered":"Top 10 Commencement Speeches of All Time"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>In need of some inspiration or motivation? We\u2019ve compiled five of the best commencement speeches on overcoming doubt, fear, failure, hardship, and tackling the working world with confidence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Our greatest writers, philanthropists, and business leaders tell great stories and give very good advice, which is relevant no matter what stage you are in life, so read on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Chadwick Boseman \u2013 Howard University (2018)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed wp-block-image is-type-rich is-provider-embed-handler wp-block-embed-embed-handler wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Chadwick Boseman&#039;s Howard University 2018 Commencement Speech\" width=\"1220\" height=\"686\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/RIHZypMyQ2s?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Howard University alumnus Chadwick Boseman provides words of inspiration to the Class of 2018 during Howard University&#8217;s 150th Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, May 12 in Washington, D.C.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Chadwick Boseman was an American actor and playwright, who achieved international fame for playing superhero Black Panther in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He appeared in four MCU films, including an eponymous 2018 film that earned him an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture and a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance. As the first black actor to headline an MCU film, he was also named in the 2018 Time 100.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In 2016, Boseman was diagnosed with colon cancer. Boseman kept his condition private, continuing to act while also extensively supporting cancer charities until his death in 2020 from the illness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. J.K. Rowling \u2013 Harvard University (2008)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed wp-block-image is-type-rich is-provider-embed-handler wp-block-embed-embed-handler wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"J.K. Rowling Speaks at Harvard Commencement\" width=\"1220\" height=\"915\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/wHGqp8lz36c?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>J.K.Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter series, gave this incredible commencement speech about never fearing failure and learning to embrace it in order to achieve success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>She told the students about her&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/books\/2016\/mar\/25\/jk-rowling-harry-potter-posts-letters-of-rejection-on-twitter\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">rejections<\/a>&nbsp;and the dark period she went through, \u201cI was jobless, a lone parent, and as poor as it is possible to be in modern Britain, without being homeless\u201d before going on to become a best-selling author (Rowling recently released her rejection letters from her recent Robert Galbraith series).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Top Quote<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>&#8220;You might never fail on the scale I did, but some failure in life is inevitable. It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all \u2014 in which case, you fail by default.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Steve Jobs \u2013 Stanford University (2005)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed wp-block-image is-type-rich is-provider-embed-handler wp-block-embed-embed-handler wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Steve Jobs&#039; 2005 Stanford Commencement Address\" width=\"1220\" height=\"915\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/UF8uR6Z6KLc?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Steve Jobs, CEO and co-founder of Apple Computer and acquirer of&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"http:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/steve-jobs-pixar-2011-10\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Pixar Animation Studios<\/a>, urges graduates to pursue their dreams, not settle down and live each day as if it is their last. Much like J.K. Rowling, Steve highlights the opportunities in life\u2019s setbacks during this commencement address.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He talks about how he used to cope with important life choices, by remembering that he\u2019ll be dead soon and that his decisions don\u2019t really matter in the long run.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Top Quote<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>&#8220;The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven\u2019t found it yet, keep looking. Don\u2019t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you\u2019ll know when you find it.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Barack Obama \u2013 Class of 2020 (2020)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed wp-block-image is-type-rich is-provider-embed-handler wp-block-embed-embed-handler wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"President Barack Obama&#039;s Commencement Speech | Dear Class Of 2020\" width=\"1220\" height=\"686\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/NGEvASSaPyg?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>President Obama shares a message of optimism with the Class of 2020 as a part of &#8220;Dear Class of 2020,&#8221; a virtual commencement to celebrate graduates, their families, and their communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As uncertain as these times may be, President Obama calls on the Class of 2020 to seize the opportunity to create a new normal, one that is fairer, gives everyone opportunity, treats everyone equally, and builds bridges between people instead of dividing them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. Oprah Winfrey \u2013 Stanford University (2008)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed wp-block-image is-type-rich is-provider-embed-handler wp-block-embed-embed-handler wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Oprah Winfrey&#039;s 2008 Stanford Commencement Address\" width=\"1220\" height=\"915\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Bpd3raj8xww?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"http:\/\/www.oprah.com\/pressroom\/oprah-winfreys-official-biography\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Oprah Winfrey<\/a>, global media leader and philanthropist, spoke to the Class of 2008 at Stanford\u2019s 117th Commencement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In this inspirational speech, she talks about trusting your gut and following it fearlessly throughout life, \u201cIf it doesn\u2019t feel right, don\u2019t do it. That\u2019s the lesson. And that lesson alone will save you, my friends, a lot of grief.\u201d She also highlights an important point about not sacrificing satisfaction and happiness for money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Top Quote<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>&#8220;And how do you know when you\u2019re doing something right? How do you know that? It feels so\u2026 When you\u2019re supposed to do something or not supposed to do something, your emotional guidance system lets you know. The trick is to learn to check your ego at the door and start checking your gut instead.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">6. Jeff Bezos \u2013 Princeton University (2010)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed wp-block-image is-type-rich is-provider-embed-handler wp-block-embed-embed-handler wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos delivers graduation speech at Princeton University\" width=\"1220\" height=\"915\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/vBmavNoChZc?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Jeff Bezos, Amazon founder and CEO gave the&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.princeton.edu\/news\/2010\/05\/30\/2010-baccalaureate-remarks\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Baccalaureate address<\/a>&nbsp;to Princeton University\u2019s Class of 2010. Bezos graduated from Princeton in 1986 with a degree in computer science and electrical engineering, so this commencement speech was particularly poignant and meaningful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Bezos highlights the importance of being kind in life, mentioning his belief in its importance over intellectual ability. One\u2019s character, he suggested, is reflected not in the gifts they are endowed with at birth but rather by the choices they make over the course of a lifetime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Top Quote<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>&#8220;There\u2019s a difference between gifts and choices. Cleverness is a gift, kindness is a choice.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">7. Bill Gates \u2013 Harvard University (2007)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed wp-block-image is-type-rich is-provider-embed-handler wp-block-embed-embed-handler wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Bill Gates Harvard Commencement Address 2007\" width=\"1220\" height=\"915\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/zPx5N6Lh3sw?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Bill Gates, business magnate and co-founder of Microsoft, addresses the Harvard Alumni Association in Tecentenary Theater at Harvard University\u2019s 2007 Commencement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In classic Gates style, he starts with some humor, stating that he was a&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Bill_Gates_mugshot.png\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">bad influence<\/a>&nbsp;on students, in particular Steve Ballmer, to drop out of college and join him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He dropped out of Harvard in the mid-1970\u2019s and went on to co-found Microsoft with Paul Allen. He subsequently has committed huge amounts of money to Philanthropy causes, including the Bill &amp; Melinda Gates Foundation. This commencement speech is definitely worth watching from start to finish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Top Quote<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>&#8220;Dad, I always told you I\u2019d come back and get my degree. I want to thank Harvard for this honor. I\u2019ll be changing my job next year and it will be nice to finally have a college degree on my resume.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">8. Beyonc\u00e9 \u2013 Class Of 2020 (2020)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed wp-block-image is-type-rich is-provider-embed-handler wp-block-embed-embed-handler wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Beyonc\u00e9 Commencement Speech | Dear Class Of 2020\" width=\"1220\" height=\"686\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/iGtJE58bli0?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Top Quote<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>&#8220;Your blackness is beautiful. Your compassion, your understanding, your fight for people who may be different from you is beautiful. I hope you continue to go into the world and show them that you will never stop being yourself. That it\u2019s your time now, make them see you.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">9. Elon Musk \u2013 Caltech (2012)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed wp-block-image is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Elon Musk&#039;s Legendary Commencement Speech (MUST WATCH)\" width=\"1220\" height=\"686\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/nTWkdhmTyVk?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Top Quote<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>&#8220;If you go back say, 300 years, the things we take for granted today, you\u2019d be burned at stake for. Being able to fly. That\u2019s crazy. Being able to see over long distances, being able to communicate, having effectively with the Internet as a group mind of sorts, and having access to all the world\u2019s information instantly from almost anywhere on the earth. This stuff that really would be magic \u2013 that would be considered magic in times past.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">10. Natalie Portman \u2013 Harvard University (2015)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed wp-block-image is-type-rich is-provider-embed-handler wp-block-embed-embed-handler wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Natalie Portman Harvard Commencement Speech | Harvard Commencement 2015\" width=\"1220\" height=\"686\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/jDaZu_KEMCY?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Academy Award-winning actress Natalie Portman \u201903 addresses graduating seniors at Harvard\u2019s Senior Class Day ceremony on May 27, 2015 at Tercentenary Theatre.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>View our list of top 5 inspirational speeches, from J.K. Rowling to Bill Gates, these speeches will help inspire you as the speakers talk about life achievements and struggles they went through to get where they are.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":1028,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1027","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-public-speaking"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/virtualspeech.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1027","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/virtualspeech.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/virtualspeech.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/virtualspeech.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/virtualspeech.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1027"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/virtualspeech.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1027\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2606,"href":"https:\/\/virtualspeech.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1027\/revisions\/2606"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/virtualspeech.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1028"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/virtualspeech.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1027"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/virtualspeech.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1027"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/virtualspeech.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1027"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}