Civil Rights Activist/Photographer Cecil Williams Tells Fall 2025 Graduates The “World Rewards The Brave, The Curious, and The Bold” During Claflin University’s Fall[...]

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"Your future will not grow in the soil of your comfort zone. Great things seldom happen when we cling only to the familiar. Doors open when we are willing to stretch, to learn, and to step forward," said Cecil Williams, renowned photographer, author, and inventor whose stirring photographs chronicled the Civil Rights Movement in South Carolina and beyond. Williams made his remarks during his keynote message at Claflin University's Fall 2026 Commencement Convocation. Claflin conferred bachelor's and master's degrees to more than 160 graduates during the ceremony on Friday, December 12, at the Jonas T. Kennedy Health and Wellness Complex.

Williams drew inspiration from a quote by The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. when he chose "Dreamers Bend Reality" as the title of his speech. According to Williams, Dr. King once said, "The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice."

Williams, who earned a bachelor's degree in 1960 at Claflin, said he spent most of his life walking into rooms he was not supposed to enter.

"I wasn't expected to witness moments in history such as Thurgood Marshall arriving in Charleston, S.C. to engage in the Briggs versus Elliot court case, which I photographed at 14 years old," Williams said.

Briggs versus Elliot was a landmark 1950 South Carolina lawsuit by Black parents challenging segregated schools, seeking equal conditions and buses. It became one of the five cases combined into Brown v. Board of Education, ultimately leading the Supreme Court to declare school segregation unconstitutional.

"The signers of the Briggs petition of Clarendon County, South Carolina, were the catalysts for the Brown versus the Board of Education case," Williams said. "They are my favorite heroes, not only for South Carolina, but my favorite heroes of America."

Williams told the audience he witnessed and photographed another seminal event - the protests that led to Orangeburg Massacre, "where young brave men - just about your age -- from South Carolina State, Wilkinson High School, and Claflin put their lives on the line for freedom, justice, and equality."

The incident involved the fatal shooting of three young men, and many others were wounded when SC Highway Patrolmen opened fire on student protesters at South Carolina State College (now University) on February 8, 1968, at South Carolina State University. He described the event as another example of how "experts sometimes forget something essential - that dreamers can bend reality."

Williams and Actively Black founder Lanny Smith launched a partnership that inspired the apparel company to produce a line of its stylish "athleisure wear" with an iconic image of Williams drinking from the "White's Only" water fountain. Video and photographs of Williams modeling a hoodie on the runway during New York Fashion Week in September 2025 went viral, increasing global awareness of Williams's legacy as an artist and Civil Rights activist.

"I walked with a little swagger and a whole lot of fear because 55 million people were watching live and online," Williams said. "So, I relied on my Claflin Confidence. I put on my sunglasses, said a little prayer, and I walked. Courage starts where confidence ends. The world rewards the brave, the curious, and the bold.

The universe is not waiting for the perfect version of you. It is waiting for the courageous version of you, the one who walks before the applause, before the approval, before the guarantee. Graduates, life is a journey. And we each have our own destiny."

Williams and James A. Bennett, executive vice president and director of external affairs for First Citizens Bank, received the Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters during the ceremony. In addition to his distinguished career in the banking industry, Bennett was a member and a former chair of Claflin's Board of Trustees.

Claflin also honored 36 Leal and Loyal alumni from the "Silver Class" of 2000 during this year's commencement.

"To the Fall Class of 2025 - you are an amazing group of scholars," said Claflin President Dr. Dwaun J. Warmack. "U.S. News and World Report has ranked Claflin the No.1 Historically Black College/University in South Carolina for more than 20 years, and we are No. 5 among more than 30 college/universities in the state. This is something to celebrate, and the Fall Class of 2025 - you made this happen based on your scholarship and commitment to graduating."

Warmack announced that seven graduates earned 4.0 grade-point averages (GPAs), including several who attended Claflin for fewer than 4 years. Two four-year students - Jada Elise Williams (Middle Level Education/Milwaukee, Wis.) and Morgan Teonna Richard (Criminal Justice/Waterloo, S.C.) had 4.0 GPAs and earned valedictorian honors. Williams accumulated more credit hours and was selected to give the Challenge to the Seniors.

Warmack recognized several students who overcame unique challenges to earn their degree. They included:

• Austin Partlow (Organizational Management, BS/Magna Cum Laude/Gastonia, NC)
• Kenneth White III (Mass Communications, BA/Magna Cum Laude/St. Louis, MO)
• Wilhemena Alice Summers (Accounting, BS/Orangeburg, SC)

Partlow was incarcerated for more than 27 years. He is the second graduate of Claflin's Pathways From Prison Program.

"I had a bold vision several years ago to start the Pathways From Prison program. I believe it's imperative that Claflin's transformational education be accessible to any student capable of earning a college degree," Warmack said.

Warmack, who said he promised Partlow a job after he graduated, offered him a position at Claflin as the outreach director for the Pathways From Prison program.

"You can show others your path so they, too, can have a brighter future," Warmack said.

White was a victim of gun violence, and after being shot six times while driving on the interstate, the prognosis was that he may never walk again. White recovered from his injuries, and Warmack recruited him to attend Claflin.

"He was involved in almost every campus organization, and he began taking photos throughout the campus. If you did not see Cecil Williams taking pictures when you walked through the campus, it was Kenneth White III," Warmack said. "I am excited to say that Kenneth graduated with a 3.82 GPA. Thank you for coming here from St. Louis to show up and show out. We are so proud of you."

Summers has worked in several departments at Claflin since 2019. She has 3 children and she is helping to raise several grandchildren - all while attending Claflin.

"She is 57 years old and an ordained minister," Warmack said. "She is an example of it's not how you start but how you finish. Today, she will receive her bachelor's degree in accounting. Congratulations, Ms. Summers - you represent the Claflin Magic."

Warmack also recognized graduates from Claflin's Nursing program, which began with the RN-to-BSN degree in 2016.

"Nine are graduating from the master's program. I will call them "The Divine Nine," said Warmack. Six were in the Nurse Practitioner track, and three have earned degrees in Nurse Leadership. This is Claflin University's contribution to the future of healthcare. All of this represents "The Claflin Magic."