She played a mother, a student and a dancer on TV. On Friday, T’Keyah Crystal Keymáh will take on the role of keynote speaker at the Homecoming Convocation.
A Florida A&M alumna, Keymáh will address students, faculty, staff and administrators when the convocation convenes at 10:10 a.m. Friday in Gaither Gymnasium.
Keymáh is an author, director, speaker, performer, writer and producer. She has played roles in “That’s So Raven” and “Cosby.” Keymáh was also an original cast member of “In Living Color.”
Luther Wells, associate director of theatre and friend of Keymáh, said she was a business student before changing her major to theatre.
Wells describes Keymáh as down-to-earth and giving, especially of her time and resources. He said Keymáh has given more than $100,000 to FAMU by establishing a scholarship in her name. The scholarship was endowed last year and will be awarded to students for the first time next year.
“One of Keymáh’s most recent accomplishments would include her being honored in the HBCU Hall of Fame during the Atlanta Classic weekend,” Wells said.
Students were very appreciative of her at that time, Wells said.
The FAMU administration has made many preparations for this convocation and Keymáh’s arrival.
about the speaker. I think she will say some things that will help FAMU to prepare for another 125 years.”
“We have been working tirelessly to plan activities to celebrate the 125th anniversary,” said Sharon Saunders, FAMU’s chief communications officer. “We are excited
Saunders said Keymáh will probably discuss how important the university has been to thousands of students and how each person connected to FAMU can work to ensure its continued existence.
This year’s homecoming theme is “Ignite the Strike: Celebrating a Legacy of Excellence with Care.”
In honor of the university’s 125th anniversary, Director of Dance Studies Elgie Gaynell Sherrod created a line dance, the 1-2-5 Rattler Strut, which will be performed at the convocation by Sherrod and a group of about 45 students, including dancers, cheerleaders and the softball team.
Lisa Gault, a second-year English education student, said this convocation will be better than prior convocations. Gault said FAMU has such distinguished alumni coming to speak. She said it will be livelier and students will pay more attention.