All of us at the Goldhirsh Foundation and LA2050 congratulate the graduates of the Class of 2026** and their families on this important milestone.

To celebrate the occasion, we’re sharing a new installment of what’s become a LA2050 blog and social media tradition: a run-down of some of our favorite recent commencement speeches from colleges and universities in Los Angeles.

This year, we’ve selected tennis and equality legends Venus Williams and Billie Jean King, California Supreme Court Justice Goodwin Liu, Stranger Things creators the Duffer Brothers, and USC football player Kash Amos. Read more and find their respective remarks below.

Venus Williams | LMU

On May 9th, tennis legend, entrepreneur, and global advocate for gender equality Venus Williams addressed the graduating class at LMU. Returning to her roots just down the street from where she grew up in Compton, Williams delivered a real, unfiltered masterclass she called “Winning 101.” Drawing from the heavy prices paid through both historic wins and heartbreaking losses on the court, she challenged graduates to actively write down their goals, master the art of mental visualization, and boldly reach out for what they want. Williams reframed the fear of making mistakes, encouraging the Class of 2026 to view setbacks not as dead ends, but as essential fuel for the future. "Failure is not failure, it's input. It's information. It's data," Williams told the crowd, "champions adjust."

Watch Venus Williams’s full address below to hear her ‘Winning 101’ for turning setbacks into strategy.

Venus Williams Addresses the 2026 LMU Undergraduate Commencement

Goodwin Liu | Pomona College

On May 17, California Supreme Court Justice Goodwin Liu delivered the commencement address at Pomona College, emphasizing that debate and disagreement are the lifeblood of democracy. During his speech, Liu outlined four pillars of civic engagement: first, he encouraged graduates to vote, second, he urged them to seek out people who challenge their assumptions and to genuinely listen to different perspectives, third, he encouraged graduates to find their place in the public square and contribute to their communities. If you're entering medicine, who lacks access to care and if pursuing the arts, whose stories are not being told? Lastly, the Justice encouraged the Class of 2026 to practice good citizenship every day, reminding them that they possess the tools to lead in an uncertain future before leaving them with the powerful question, “Is the world ready for you?”

Watch the full commencement address below behind our civic responsibility, leadership.

2026 Pomona College Commencement Speech - Goodwin Liu

Billie Jean King | Cal State LA

On May 18th, sports icon, activist, and advocate for equality Billie Jean King delivered the 2026 commencement speech at Cal State LA, marking a meaningful full-circle moment nearly 61 years after her own graduation journey began. Beyond her career as a tennis champion, King is widely recognized for her advocacy for gender equity, including her victory in the landmark “Battle of the Sexes” match and co-founding the Women’s Tennis Association. In parallel with this work, she has recently worked with incarcerated students at Cal State LA, celebrating their achievements in earning college degrees. In her address, King encouraged graduates to focus on their strengths, not internalize challenges, and lead with fearlessness, reminding them, “Yes, you can.”

Watch the full commencement address below to hear her reflections on equity, resilience, and opportunity.

Billie Jean King Commencement Address

Duffer Brothers | Chapman U

On May 22, the Duffer Brothers – Matt and Ross – delivered Chapman University’s commencement speech, returning to the campus where their film careers began. In their remarks, they drew on the world of their hit series, Stranger Things, using its monsters as metaphors for real-life fears and challenges. They described the “Mimic,” a creature that disguises itself as what people most desire but actually leads to rejection and disappointment. They also introduced the “Willow Wisp,” which represents being misguided as one chooses the safe path in life instead. Finally, they discussed the “Elder Brain,” a creature symbolizing conformity, artificial intelligence, and the loss of individuality in a world that pressures people to fit in. However, the Duffer Brothers shared that despite these monsters, graduates should grab their own swords and “get out there and start slaying.”

Watch the full commencement address below to hear the full story behind the monsters and how they can be overcome.

Chapman University Commencement Ceremony 2026 with Matt and Ross Duffer

Kash Amos | USC

On May 22nd, communication graduate and USC football defensive lineman Kash Amos delivered a historic address as the university's 2026 student commencement speaker. Amos took the podium as the first student-athlete and the first Black man in USC history to be entrusted with the distinction. Leaning into vulnerability, he spoke candidly about pushing past imposter syndrome and late-night self-doubt, celebrating the collective journey of transfer students, first-generation graduates, and those who refused to quit when life outside the classroom got heavy. Amos challenged his peers to take bold risks in a fast-changing, AI-driven world and to measure their success by how many people they bring along with them. "I've been told I'll be a product of my environment," Amos told his cheering classmates, "but look at me now: a product of my decisions."

Watch the full address below to hear his story of doubt, drive, and defining success on his own terms.

USC Commencement 2026 | Student Speaker Kash Amos

More Favorite Speeches | From the LA2050 Archives

• 2025: Jon M. Chu, Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, Dr. Bettina Love, Désirée Kiva Powell
• 2023: Conan O’Brien, Will Ferrell, Michelle Obama
• 2022: Ego Nwodim, Maya Angelou, Oprah Winfrey

**[Ed. note: This includes Goldhirsh Foundation Social Impact and Research Fellow Brenda Macuil, UCLA ‘26! Congratulations to our colleague! Brenda and Social Impact and Research Fellow Brooklyn Villavicencio researched and wrote this blog post.]