Celebrated writer, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is the first African delivered the Class Day speech to the 2019 graduating members of the Yale College at New Haven, Connecticut.
The event which held Sunday, May 19, on the eve of Yale’s 318th Commencement, is a celebration of the graduating Yale College class. A tradition that dates as far back as the 19th century, Class Day includes student reflections on their four years at Yale, the awarding of undergraduate prizes for academic, artistic, athletic, and community accomplishments, and an address delivered by a prominent figure chosen by the students.
In 2018, the Class Day speech was delivered by former US First Lady and 2016 Presidential Candidate, Hillary Rodham Clinton.
In announcing her selection as speaker, the Class Day 2019 planning committee described Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie as “an inspiring global citizen whose words, teaching, and social activism have had an indelible impact on the diaspora and broader contemporary culture.”
An alumna of Yale herself, Adichie received her master of arts in African studies from the school in 2008. “I remember the many clever undergrads I met while at Yale and it’s an honor to know that a class of similarly clever students chose me to speak to them.” Adichie said in an earlier statement.
In her insightful speech which was filled with humour and interesting stories, the writer shared some career advice, touching on journalism, leadership and more. “If you’re one day enrobed in corporate power, please hire women as executives and not just in human relations. Change corporate culture. Have an on-site day-care. Make paid family leave standard and ordinary.” She tells the students.
In usual Adichie-fashion, the Americanah writer did not hold back on speaking truth to power. She spoke courageously on the increase in gun violence in America, touched on America’s controversial new law on abortion and racism.
She however had a lot of inspiring words for the new graduates. Reminding them about the importance of people and relationships. “Nurture your ambitions, seek to be successful but keep in mind that there are hollows that success will not fill”. She encouraged them to “have friends, many friends or just one friend. Hold your family close, hold your friends close, stand up for your loved ones. Tell the people you love, that you love them. Tell them often”.
Born in Enugu, Nigeria, and studied medicine at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Adichie moved to the United States at age 19 to continue her education on a different path. She graduated summa cum laude from Eastern Connecticut State University with a degree in communication and political science and earned a master’s degree in creative writing from Johns Hopkins University before studying African history at Yale.
She was awarded a 2005-2006 Hodder Fellowship at Princeton University and a 2011-2012 fellowship at the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard University.
Chimamanda joins an exclusive list of Yale Class Day speakers which include: Fmr. Vice President of the United States, Joe Biden; Renowned Television Journalist, Barbara Walters, Oscar winning actor, Tom Hanks; Former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Tony Blair and a host of other prominent leaders.
In May 2019 alone (11th May and 18th May), Adichie has delivered commencement speeches at the American University and Georgetown University respectively, where she was also honoured with the Doctor of Humane Letters honoris causa at both institutions.
Adichie’s writings have been translated into more than 30 languages. Her first novel, “Purple Hibiscus” (2003), won the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize; her second, “Half of a Yellow Sun”(2006), received the Orange Prize for Fiction. Her 2013 novel “Americanah” was awarded the National Book Critics Circle Award and named one of The New York Times’s “10 Best Books of 2013.”
She has delivered two landmark TED Talks: “The Danger of A Single Story” (2009) and “We Should All Be Feminists” (2012) — the latter of which was released as a book in 2014. Her most recent book, “Dear Ijeawele, or a Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions,” was published in 2017.
Adichie was named one of TIME magazine’s 100 most influential people in 2015. In 2017, Fortune magazine named her one of its 50 “World’s Greatest Leaders.” She is a member of both the American Academy of Arts and Letters and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. She divides her time between the United States and Nigeria, where she leads an annual creative writing workshop.
Celebrated writer, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is the first African delivered the Class Day speech to the 2019 graduating members of the Yale College at New Haven, Connecticut.
The event which held Sunday, May 19, on the eve of Yale’s 318th Commencement, is a celebration of the graduating Yale College class. A tradition that dates as far back as the 19th century, Class Day includes student reflections on their four years at Yale, the awarding of undergraduate prizes for academic, artistic, athletic, and community accomplishments, and an address delivered by a prominent figure chosen by the students.
In 2018, the Class Day speech was delivered by former US First Lady and 2016 Presidential Candidate, Hillary Rodham Clinton.
In announcing her selection as speaker, the Class Day 2019 planning committee described Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie as “an inspiring global citizen whose words, teaching, and social activism have had an indelible impact on the diaspora and broader contemporary culture.”
An alumna of Yale herself, Adichie received her master of arts in African studies from the school in 2008. “I remember the many clever undergrads I met while at Yale and it’s an honor to know that a class of similarly clever students chose me to speak to them.” Adichie said in an earlier statement.
In her insightful speech which was filled with humour and interesting stories, the writer shared some career advice, touching on journalism, leadership and more. “If you’re one day enrobed in corporate power, please hire women as executives and not just in human relations. Change corporate culture. Have an on-site day-care. Make paid family leave standard and ordinary.” She tells the students.
In usual Adichie-fashion, the Americanah writer did not hold back on speaking truth to power. She spoke courageously on the increase in gun violence in America, touched on America’s controversial new law on abortion and racism.
She however had a lot of inspiring words for the new graduates. Reminding them about the importance of people and relationships. “Nurture your ambitions, seek to be successful but keep in mind that there are hollows that success will not fill”. She encouraged them to “have friends, many friends or just one friend. Hold your family close, hold your friends close, stand up for your loved ones. Tell the people you love, that you love them. Tell them often”.
Born in Enugu, Nigeria, and studied medicine at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Adichie moved to the United States at age 19 to continue her education on a different path. She graduated summa cum laude from Eastern Connecticut State University with a degree in communication and political science and earned a master’s degree in creative writing from Johns Hopkins University before studying African history at Yale.
She was awarded a 2005-2006 Hodder Fellowship at Princeton University and a 2011-2012 fellowship at the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard University.
Chimamanda joins an exclusive list of Yale Class Day speakers which include: Fmr. Vice President of the United States, Joe Biden; Renowned Television Journalist, Barbara Walters, Oscar winning actor, Tom Hanks; Former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Tony Blair and a host of other prominent leaders.
In May 2019 alone (11th May and 18th May), Adichie has delivered commencement speeches at the American University and Georgetown University respectively, where she was also honoured with the Doctor of Humane Letters honoris causa at both institutions.
Adichie’s writings have been translated into more than 30 languages. Her first novel, “Purple Hibiscus” (2003), won the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize; her second, “Half of a Yellow Sun”(2006), received the Orange Prize for Fiction. Her 2013 novel “Americanah” was awarded the National Book Critics Circle Award and named one of The New York Times’s “10 Best Books of 2013.”
She has delivered two landmark TED Talks: “The Danger of A Single Story” (2009) and “We Should All Be Feminists” (2012) — the latter of which was released as a book in 2014. Her most recent book, “Dear Ijeawele, or a Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions,” was published in 2017.
Adichie was named one of TIME magazine’s 100 most influential people in 2015. In 2017, Fortune magazine named her one of its 50 “World’s Greatest Leaders.” She is a member of both the American Academy of Arts and Letters and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. She divides her time between the United States and Nigeria, where she leads an annual creative writing workshop.
Celebrated writer, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is the first African delivered the Class Day speech to the 2019 graduating members of the Yale College at New Haven, Connecticut.
The event which held Sunday, May 19, on the eve of Yale’s 318th Commencement, is a celebration of the graduating Yale College class. A tradition that dates as far back as the 19th century, Class Day includes student reflections on their four years at Yale, the awarding of undergraduate prizes for academic, artistic, athletic, and community accomplishments, and an address delivered by a prominent figure chosen by the students.
In 2018, the Class Day speech was delivered by former US First Lady and 2016 Presidential Candidate, Hillary Rodham Clinton.
In announcing her selection as speaker, the Class Day 2019 planning committee described Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie as “an inspiring global citizen whose words, teaching, and social activism have had an indelible impact on the diaspora and broader contemporary culture.”
An alumna of Yale herself, Adichie received her master of arts in African studies from the school in 2008. “I remember the many clever undergrads I met while at Yale and it’s an honor to know that a class of similarly clever students chose me to speak to them.” Adichie said in an earlier statement.
In her insightful speech which was filled with humour and interesting stories, the writer shared some career advice, touching on journalism, leadership and more. “If you’re one day enrobed in corporate power, please hire women as executives and not just in human relations. Change corporate culture. Have an on-site day-care. Make paid family leave standard and ordinary.” She tells the students.
In usual Adichie-fashion, the Americanah writer did not hold back on speaking truth to power. She spoke courageously on the increase in gun violence in America, touched on America’s controversial new law on abortion and racism.
She however had a lot of inspiring words for the new graduates. Reminding them about the importance of people and relationships. “Nurture your ambitions, seek to be successful but keep in mind that there are hollows that success will not fill”. She encouraged them to “have friends, many friends or just one friend. Hold your family close, hold your friends close, stand up for your loved ones. Tell the people you love, that you love them. Tell them often”.
Born in Enugu, Nigeria, and studied medicine at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Adichie moved to the United States at age 19 to continue her education on a different path. She graduated summa cum laude from Eastern Connecticut State University with a degree in communication and political science and earned a master’s degree in creative writing from Johns Hopkins University before studying African history at Yale.
She was awarded a 2005-2006 Hodder Fellowship at Princeton University and a 2011-2012 fellowship at the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard University.
Chimamanda joins an exclusive list of Yale Class Day speakers which include: Fmr. Vice President of the United States, Joe Biden; Renowned Television Journalist, Barbara Walters, Oscar winning actor, Tom Hanks; Former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Tony Blair and a host of other prominent leaders.
In May 2019 alone (11th May and 18th May), Adichie has delivered commencement speeches at the American University and Georgetown University respectively, where she was also honoured with the Doctor of Humane Letters honoris causa at both institutions.
Adichie’s writings have been translated into more than 30 languages. Her first novel, “Purple Hibiscus” (2003), won the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize; her second, “Half of a Yellow Sun”(2006), received the Orange Prize for Fiction. Her 2013 novel “Americanah” was awarded the National Book Critics Circle Award and named one of The New York Times’s “10 Best Books of 2013.”
She has delivered two landmark TED Talks: “The Danger of A Single Story” (2009) and “We Should All Be Feminists” (2012) — the latter of which was released as a book in 2014. Her most recent book, “Dear Ijeawele, or a Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions,” was published in 2017.
Adichie was named one of TIME magazine’s 100 most influential people in 2015. In 2017, Fortune magazine named her one of its 50 “World’s Greatest Leaders.” She is a member of both the American Academy of Arts and Letters and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. She divides her time between the United States and Nigeria, where she leads an annual creative writing workshop.
Celebrated writer, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is the first African delivered the Class Day speech to the 2019 graduating members of the Yale College at New Haven, Connecticut.
The event which held Sunday, May 19, on the eve of Yale’s 318th Commencement, is a celebration of the graduating Yale College class. A tradition that dates as far back as the 19th century, Class Day includes student reflections on their four years at Yale, the awarding of undergraduate prizes for academic, artistic, athletic, and community accomplishments, and an address delivered by a prominent figure chosen by the students.
In 2018, the Class Day speech was delivered by former US First Lady and 2016 Presidential Candidate, Hillary Rodham Clinton.
In announcing her selection as speaker, the Class Day 2019 planning committee described Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie as “an inspiring global citizen whose words, teaching, and social activism have had an indelible impact on the diaspora and broader contemporary culture.”
An alumna of Yale herself, Adichie received her master of arts in African studies from the school in 2008. “I remember the many clever undergrads I met while at Yale and it’s an honor to know that a class of similarly clever students chose me to speak to them.” Adichie said in an earlier statement.
In her insightful speech which was filled with humour and interesting stories, the writer shared some career advice, touching on journalism, leadership and more. “If you’re one day enrobed in corporate power, please hire women as executives and not just in human relations. Change corporate culture. Have an on-site day-care. Make paid family leave standard and ordinary.” She tells the students.
In usual Adichie-fashion, the Americanah writer did not hold back on speaking truth to power. She spoke courageously on the increase in gun violence in America, touched on America’s controversial new law on abortion and racism.
She however had a lot of inspiring words for the new graduates. Reminding them about the importance of people and relationships. “Nurture your ambitions, seek to be successful but keep in mind that there are hollows that success will not fill”. She encouraged them to “have friends, many friends or just one friend. Hold your family close, hold your friends close, stand up for your loved ones. Tell the people you love, that you love them. Tell them often”.
Born in Enugu, Nigeria, and studied medicine at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Adichie moved to the United States at age 19 to continue her education on a different path. She graduated summa cum laude from Eastern Connecticut State University with a degree in communication and political science and earned a master’s degree in creative writing from Johns Hopkins University before studying African history at Yale.
She was awarded a 2005-2006 Hodder Fellowship at Princeton University and a 2011-2012 fellowship at the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard University.
Chimamanda joins an exclusive list of Yale Class Day speakers which include: Fmr. Vice President of the United States, Joe Biden; Renowned Television Journalist, Barbara Walters, Oscar winning actor, Tom Hanks; Former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Tony Blair and a host of other prominent leaders.
In May 2019 alone (11th May and 18th May), Adichie has delivered commencement speeches at the American University and Georgetown University respectively, where she was also honoured with the Doctor of Humane Letters honoris causa at both institutions.
Adichie’s writings have been translated into more than 30 languages. Her first novel, “Purple Hibiscus” (2003), won the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize; her second, “Half of a Yellow Sun”(2006), received the Orange Prize for Fiction. Her 2013 novel “Americanah” was awarded the National Book Critics Circle Award and named one of The New York Times’s “10 Best Books of 2013.”
She has delivered two landmark TED Talks: “The Danger of A Single Story” (2009) and “We Should All Be Feminists” (2012) — the latter of which was released as a book in 2014. Her most recent book, “Dear Ijeawele, or a Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions,” was published in 2017.
Adichie was named one of TIME magazine’s 100 most influential people in 2015. In 2017, Fortune magazine named her one of its 50 “World’s Greatest Leaders.” She is a member of both the American Academy of Arts and Letters and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. She divides her time between the United States and Nigeria, where she leads an annual creative writing workshop.
Celebrated writer, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is the first African delivered the Class Day speech to the 2019 graduating members of the Yale College at New Haven, Connecticut.
The event which held Sunday, May 19, on the eve of Yale’s 318th Commencement, is a celebration of the graduating Yale College class. A tradition that dates as far back as the 19th century, Class Day includes student reflections on their four years at Yale, the awarding of undergraduate prizes for academic, artistic, athletic, and community accomplishments, and an address delivered by a prominent figure chosen by the students.
In 2018, the Class Day speech was delivered by former US First Lady and 2016 Presidential Candidate, Hillary Rodham Clinton.
In announcing her selection as speaker, the Class Day 2019 planning committee described Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie as “an inspiring global citizen whose words, teaching, and social activism have had an indelible impact on the diaspora and broader contemporary culture.”
An alumna of Yale herself, Adichie received her master of arts in African studies from the school in 2008. “I remember the many clever undergrads I met while at Yale and it’s an honor to know that a class of similarly clever students chose me to speak to them.” Adichie said in an earlier statement.
In her insightful speech which was filled with humour and interesting stories, the writer shared some career advice, touching on journalism, leadership and more. “If you’re one day enrobed in corporate power, please hire women as executives and not just in human relations. Change corporate culture. Have an on-site day-care. Make paid family leave standard and ordinary.” She tells the students.
In usual Adichie-fashion, the Americanah writer did not hold back on speaking truth to power. She spoke courageously on the increase in gun violence in America, touched on America’s controversial new law on abortion and racism.
She however had a lot of inspiring words for the new graduates. Reminding them about the importance of people and relationships. “Nurture your ambitions, seek to be successful but keep in mind that there are hollows that success will not fill”. She encouraged them to “have friends, many friends or just one friend. Hold your family close, hold your friends close, stand up for your loved ones. Tell the people you love, that you love them. Tell them often”.
Born in Enugu, Nigeria, and studied medicine at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Adichie moved to the United States at age 19 to continue her education on a different path. She graduated summa cum laude from Eastern Connecticut State University with a degree in communication and political science and earned a master’s degree in creative writing from Johns Hopkins University before studying African history at Yale.
She was awarded a 2005-2006 Hodder Fellowship at Princeton University and a 2011-2012 fellowship at the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard University.
Chimamanda joins an exclusive list of Yale Class Day speakers which include: Fmr. Vice President of the United States, Joe Biden; Renowned Television Journalist, Barbara Walters, Oscar winning actor, Tom Hanks; Former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Tony Blair and a host of other prominent leaders.
In May 2019 alone (11th May and 18th May), Adichie has delivered commencement speeches at the American University and Georgetown University respectively, where she was also honoured with the Doctor of Humane Letters honoris causa at both institutions.
Adichie’s writings have been translated into more than 30 languages. Her first novel, “Purple Hibiscus” (2003), won the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize; her second, “Half of a Yellow Sun”(2006), received the Orange Prize for Fiction. Her 2013 novel “Americanah” was awarded the National Book Critics Circle Award and named one of The New York Times’s “10 Best Books of 2013.”
She has delivered two landmark TED Talks: “The Danger of A Single Story” (2009) and “We Should All Be Feminists” (2012) — the latter of which was released as a book in 2014. Her most recent book, “Dear Ijeawele, or a Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions,” was published in 2017.
Adichie was named one of TIME magazine’s 100 most influential people in 2015. In 2017, Fortune magazine named her one of its 50 “World’s Greatest Leaders.” She is a member of both the American Academy of Arts and Letters and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. She divides her time between the United States and Nigeria, where she leads an annual creative writing workshop.
Celebrated writer, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is the first African delivered the Class Day speech to the 2019 graduating members of the Yale College at New Haven, Connecticut.
The event which held Sunday, May 19, on the eve of Yale’s 318th Commencement, is a celebration of the graduating Yale College class. A tradition that dates as far back as the 19th century, Class Day includes student reflections on their four years at Yale, the awarding of undergraduate prizes for academic, artistic, athletic, and community accomplishments, and an address delivered by a prominent figure chosen by the students.
In 2018, the Class Day speech was delivered by former US First Lady and 2016 Presidential Candidate, Hillary Rodham Clinton.
In announcing her selection as speaker, the Class Day 2019 planning committee described Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie as “an inspiring global citizen whose words, teaching, and social activism have had an indelible impact on the diaspora and broader contemporary culture.”
An alumna of Yale herself, Adichie received her master of arts in African studies from the school in 2008. “I remember the many clever undergrads I met while at Yale and it’s an honor to know that a class of similarly clever students chose me to speak to them.” Adichie said in an earlier statement.
In her insightful speech which was filled with humour and interesting stories, the writer shared some career advice, touching on journalism, leadership and more. “If you’re one day enrobed in corporate power, please hire women as executives and not just in human relations. Change corporate culture. Have an on-site day-care. Make paid family leave standard and ordinary.” She tells the students.
In usual Adichie-fashion, the Americanah writer did not hold back on speaking truth to power. She spoke courageously on the increase in gun violence in America, touched on America’s controversial new law on abortion and racism.
She however had a lot of inspiring words for the new graduates. Reminding them about the importance of people and relationships. “Nurture your ambitions, seek to be successful but keep in mind that there are hollows that success will not fill”. She encouraged them to “have friends, many friends or just one friend. Hold your family close, hold your friends close, stand up for your loved ones. Tell the people you love, that you love them. Tell them often”.
Born in Enugu, Nigeria, and studied medicine at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Adichie moved to the United States at age 19 to continue her education on a different path. She graduated summa cum laude from Eastern Connecticut State University with a degree in communication and political science and earned a master’s degree in creative writing from Johns Hopkins University before studying African history at Yale.
She was awarded a 2005-2006 Hodder Fellowship at Princeton University and a 2011-2012 fellowship at the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard University.
Chimamanda joins an exclusive list of Yale Class Day speakers which include: Fmr. Vice President of the United States, Joe Biden; Renowned Television Journalist, Barbara Walters, Oscar winning actor, Tom Hanks; Former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Tony Blair and a host of other prominent leaders.
In May 2019 alone (11th May and 18th May), Adichie has delivered commencement speeches at the American University and Georgetown University respectively, where she was also honoured with the Doctor of Humane Letters honoris causa at both institutions.
Adichie’s writings have been translated into more than 30 languages. Her first novel, “Purple Hibiscus” (2003), won the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize; her second, “Half of a Yellow Sun”(2006), received the Orange Prize for Fiction. Her 2013 novel “Americanah” was awarded the National Book Critics Circle Award and named one of The New York Times’s “10 Best Books of 2013.”
She has delivered two landmark TED Talks: “The Danger of A Single Story” (2009) and “We Should All Be Feminists” (2012) — the latter of which was released as a book in 2014. Her most recent book, “Dear Ijeawele, or a Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions,” was published in 2017.
Adichie was named one of TIME magazine’s 100 most influential people in 2015. In 2017, Fortune magazine named her one of its 50 “World’s Greatest Leaders.” She is a member of both the American Academy of Arts and Letters and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. She divides her time between the United States and Nigeria, where she leads an annual creative writing workshop.
Celebrated writer, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is the first African delivered the Class Day speech to the 2019 graduating members of the Yale College at New Haven, Connecticut.
The event which held Sunday, May 19, on the eve of Yale’s 318th Commencement, is a celebration of the graduating Yale College class. A tradition that dates as far back as the 19th century, Class Day includes student reflections on their four years at Yale, the awarding of undergraduate prizes for academic, artistic, athletic, and community accomplishments, and an address delivered by a prominent figure chosen by the students.
In 2018, the Class Day speech was delivered by former US First Lady and 2016 Presidential Candidate, Hillary Rodham Clinton.
In announcing her selection as speaker, the Class Day 2019 planning committee described Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie as “an inspiring global citizen whose words, teaching, and social activism have had an indelible impact on the diaspora and broader contemporary culture.”
An alumna of Yale herself, Adichie received her master of arts in African studies from the school in 2008. “I remember the many clever undergrads I met while at Yale and it’s an honor to know that a class of similarly clever students chose me to speak to them.” Adichie said in an earlier statement.
In her insightful speech which was filled with humour and interesting stories, the writer shared some career advice, touching on journalism, leadership and more. “If you’re one day enrobed in corporate power, please hire women as executives and not just in human relations. Change corporate culture. Have an on-site day-care. Make paid family leave standard and ordinary.” She tells the students.
In usual Adichie-fashion, the Americanah writer did not hold back on speaking truth to power. She spoke courageously on the increase in gun violence in America, touched on America’s controversial new law on abortion and racism.
She however had a lot of inspiring words for the new graduates. Reminding them about the importance of people and relationships. “Nurture your ambitions, seek to be successful but keep in mind that there are hollows that success will not fill”. She encouraged them to “have friends, many friends or just one friend. Hold your family close, hold your friends close, stand up for your loved ones. Tell the people you love, that you love them. Tell them often”.
Born in Enugu, Nigeria, and studied medicine at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Adichie moved to the United States at age 19 to continue her education on a different path. She graduated summa cum laude from Eastern Connecticut State University with a degree in communication and political science and earned a master’s degree in creative writing from Johns Hopkins University before studying African history at Yale.
She was awarded a 2005-2006 Hodder Fellowship at Princeton University and a 2011-2012 fellowship at the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard University.
Chimamanda joins an exclusive list of Yale Class Day speakers which include: Fmr. Vice President of the United States, Joe Biden; Renowned Television Journalist, Barbara Walters, Oscar winning actor, Tom Hanks; Former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Tony Blair and a host of other prominent leaders.
In May 2019 alone (11th May and 18th May), Adichie has delivered commencement speeches at the American University and Georgetown University respectively, where she was also honoured with the Doctor of Humane Letters honoris causa at both institutions.
Adichie’s writings have been translated into more than 30 languages. Her first novel, “Purple Hibiscus” (2003), won the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize; her second, “Half of a Yellow Sun”(2006), received the Orange Prize for Fiction. Her 2013 novel “Americanah” was awarded the National Book Critics Circle Award and named one of The New York Times’s “10 Best Books of 2013.”
She has delivered two landmark TED Talks: “The Danger of A Single Story” (2009) and “We Should All Be Feminists” (2012) — the latter of which was released as a book in 2014. Her most recent book, “Dear Ijeawele, or a Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions,” was published in 2017.
Adichie was named one of TIME magazine’s 100 most influential people in 2015. In 2017, Fortune magazine named her one of its 50 “World’s Greatest Leaders.” She is a member of both the American Academy of Arts and Letters and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. She divides her time between the United States and Nigeria, where she leads an annual creative writing workshop.
Celebrated writer, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is the first African delivered the Class Day speech to the 2019 graduating members of the Yale College at New Haven, Connecticut.
The event which held Sunday, May 19, on the eve of Yale’s 318th Commencement, is a celebration of the graduating Yale College class. A tradition that dates as far back as the 19th century, Class Day includes student reflections on their four years at Yale, the awarding of undergraduate prizes for academic, artistic, athletic, and community accomplishments, and an address delivered by a prominent figure chosen by the students.
In 2018, the Class Day speech was delivered by former US First Lady and 2016 Presidential Candidate, Hillary Rodham Clinton.
In announcing her selection as speaker, the Class Day 2019 planning committee described Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie as “an inspiring global citizen whose words, teaching, and social activism have had an indelible impact on the diaspora and broader contemporary culture.”
An alumna of Yale herself, Adichie received her master of arts in African studies from the school in 2008. “I remember the many clever undergrads I met while at Yale and it’s an honor to know that a class of similarly clever students chose me to speak to them.” Adichie said in an earlier statement.
In her insightful speech which was filled with humour and interesting stories, the writer shared some career advice, touching on journalism, leadership and more. “If you’re one day enrobed in corporate power, please hire women as executives and not just in human relations. Change corporate culture. Have an on-site day-care. Make paid family leave standard and ordinary.” She tells the students.
In usual Adichie-fashion, the Americanah writer did not hold back on speaking truth to power. She spoke courageously on the increase in gun violence in America, touched on America’s controversial new law on abortion and racism.
She however had a lot of inspiring words for the new graduates. Reminding them about the importance of people and relationships. “Nurture your ambitions, seek to be successful but keep in mind that there are hollows that success will not fill”. She encouraged them to “have friends, many friends or just one friend. Hold your family close, hold your friends close, stand up for your loved ones. Tell the people you love, that you love them. Tell them often”.
Born in Enugu, Nigeria, and studied medicine at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Adichie moved to the United States at age 19 to continue her education on a different path. She graduated summa cum laude from Eastern Connecticut State University with a degree in communication and political science and earned a master’s degree in creative writing from Johns Hopkins University before studying African history at Yale.
She was awarded a 2005-2006 Hodder Fellowship at Princeton University and a 2011-2012 fellowship at the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard University.
Chimamanda joins an exclusive list of Yale Class Day speakers which include: Fmr. Vice President of the United States, Joe Biden; Renowned Television Journalist, Barbara Walters, Oscar winning actor, Tom Hanks; Former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Tony Blair and a host of other prominent leaders.
In May 2019 alone (11th May and 18th May), Adichie has delivered commencement speeches at the American University and Georgetown University respectively, where she was also honoured with the Doctor of Humane Letters honoris causa at both institutions.
Adichie’s writings have been translated into more than 30 languages. Her first novel, “Purple Hibiscus” (2003), won the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize; her second, “Half of a Yellow Sun”(2006), received the Orange Prize for Fiction. Her 2013 novel “Americanah” was awarded the National Book Critics Circle Award and named one of The New York Times’s “10 Best Books of 2013.”
She has delivered two landmark TED Talks: “The Danger of A Single Story” (2009) and “We Should All Be Feminists” (2012) — the latter of which was released as a book in 2014. Her most recent book, “Dear Ijeawele, or a Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions,” was published in 2017.
Adichie was named one of TIME magazine’s 100 most influential people in 2015. In 2017, Fortune magazine named her one of its 50 “World’s Greatest Leaders.” She is a member of both the American Academy of Arts and Letters and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. She divides her time between the United States and Nigeria, where she leads an annual creative writing workshop.
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Chimamanda Adichie looks lovely at the Women in the World Summit in New York
Chimamanda Adichie named as a ‘Force for Change’ in latest vogue cover
Chimamanda Adichie awarded ‘Winner of Winners’ for novel Half of a Yellow Sun
Chimamanda Adichie loses mother
Flashback: Jakande’s inaugural address as Lagos State Governor in 1979
