During her commencement speech, the rapper/actress urges students to 'take care of home' and help to raise their peers up in society.
- May 16, 2018
AceShowbiz - Rapper and actressQueen Latifah has received a honourary doctorate degree in Fine Arts from Rutgers University in New Jersey. The New Jersey native delivered the commencement speech at the university on Monday, May 14, and during her time at the podium, the "Girls Trip" star urged students to "take care of home" and help to raise their peers up in society.
"I'm a Jersey girl, born and bred...," she said. "I couldn't be more proud to be one of Newark's own today, this is home. Today Newark is stirring again, stirring because our greatest export was never a product; it's always been the people. People like each of you - unique, strong, creative individuals..."
"Graduates, home shapes you, make sure you shape it back," she later added. "Take a chance on that next kid who comes along the way, the way someone took a chance on you, the way someone took a chance on me..."
The 48-year-old, real name Dana Owens, also took to social media to celebrate her honor after the graduation ceremony. "Say hello to the Honorary Dr. Dana Owens," she wrote on Instagram alongside a picture of herself wearing her cap and gown. "Thank you Rutgers University and congratulations to all of the graduates of the class of 2018!"
The new honor has given Owens something to smile about after losing her mum in March. Rita Owens passed away after struggling with a heart condition for over a decade.
