Legendary hip-hop artist, actress, and entrepreneur MC Lyte will deliver the keynote address at Bowie State University’s Winter 2024 Commencement ceremony on December 19 at 9 a.m. in the Leonidas S. James Physical Education Complex.

MC Lyte is known as a trailblazer in hip-hop and one of the most influential women in entertainment. With a career spanning over three decades, she has left an indelible mark on the music industry, beginning with her debut album in 1988. Her pioneering achievements include becoming the first female rapper nominated for a Grammy and the first to earn a gold single. Known for her powerful lyrics and trailblazing spirit, she has performed at prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center Honors, and even for President Barack Obama and Vice President Kamala Harris at the White House.

Beyond her music, MC Lyte has gained acclaim as a formidable actress, continuing to break boundaries with roles in both television and film. She recently starred as Detective Monroe in BET’s Angel, a role she also directed, and appeared in Viacom’s Hip Hop Family Christmas and BET’s Favorite Son’s Christmas. Her film credits include Patti Cakes, a Sundance Film Festival favorite, and Bad Hair, showcasing her versatility and creative talent across genres.

In addition to her entertainment career, MC Lyte is a dedicated entrepreneur and philanthropist. She is the CEO of Sunni Gyrl, Inc., a full-service entertainment management and consulting firm that provides services to talent across the industry. Through her nonprofit, the Hip Hop Sisters Foundation, she has awarded over $1 million in scholarships, demonstrating her commitment to education, empowerment, and community uplift.

Founded in 1865, Bowie State University is the first Historically Black College/University (HBCU) in Maryland and one of the ten oldest in the country. As a leading institution of higher learning, Bowie State offers more than 65 bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral and certificate programs across arts and sciences, technology, business, education, healthcare and related disciplines. The university provides high-quality and affordable educational opportunities in a supportive environment that empowers students to think critically, make new discoveries, value differences and emerge as leaders in a highly technical, rapidly changing global society.