Denmark Technical College is proud to announce the commencement speaker for 2021 will be Ms. JoMarie Payton, actress, singer and philanthropist.
Payton was born in in Albany, Georgia and moved with her family to Miami Gardens when she was three months old.
Payton’s love for arts and education started at an early age, making her first stage appearance at the tender age of six. Since then, Payton has become an internationally acclaimed actress and an accomplished singer with a professional career that spans over forty years on stage, screen and television.
Payton was one of the original members of the “Theatre of Afro Arts” in the early to mid-seventies. She also performed in numerous dinner and community theatres, including the Merry-Go-Round Playhouse and the famous Coconut Grove Playhouse.
She is most noted for her portrayal of Harriette Winslow, the no-nonsense mother on the “Family Matters” TV show, which to date is still the longest running all African American cast show, on a major television network in history.
She is also well known for her portrayal of the ever-popular character “Suga Mama” of Disney’s award- winning show the “Proud Family.” She was nominated eight consecutive times for Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a children’s show by the NAACP Image Awards and N.A.M I.C. Association. She was nominated for four NAACP awards and four NAMIC Awards and was the recipient of the prestigious Alice Award, just to mention a few, for her outstanding achievements in acting.
Her education includes Miami Dade College, University of Miami, Albany State University and she was one of the first African Americans to receive film training through the historical Ivan Tors Studio. She holds an honorary Doctorate Degree in Humanities from Vincennes University.
“I was thrilled to learn that we were able to secure Ms. Payton as our 2021 commencement speaker. I have been an admirer of her work and philanthropic efforts for many years. The fact that we both have roots in Albany, Georgia makes her appearance all the more special,” said Dr. Willie L. Todd, Jr., Denmark Technical College president and CEO.
Payton has been honored as Honorary Alumni of All of the Historical Black Colleges and Universities for her commitment to education. Some of her achievements have been establishing and raising funds for Albany State University through the Frankie Payton Scholarship Fund, named for her mother, and which has sent hundreds of students to college on scholarships. She is a National Black College Hall of Fame Member, supporting education whenever she can.
Payton is a committed public servant, community leader and activist, having received numerous accolades from the US Senate, Department of State, and House of Representatives. She has travelled five continents including Africa, Australia, Europe, Asia, North America/Mexico and much of the Caribbean spreading charity and goodwill.
Ms. Payton carries many titles including mother, grandmother, wife, actress, singer, teacher, producer, philanthropist and friend, but the one she cherishes most is student. She believes that a commitment to learning and growing keeps you youthful, excited and hopeful about the future of this ever-changing, beautiful world. Her zest for life is reflected in her favorite saying, “To LOVE life is to LIVE life.”
“We were originally scheduled to have Ms. Payton as our 2020 commencement, but when the pandemic hit, we had to shift gears and ended up doing a scaled back, fully virtual ceremony. I’m excited that we were able to secure her for our 2021 commencement,” added Todd.
The commencement will be held on May 1, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. in the William L. McDuffie Student Services Center. Due to COVID restrictions, the ceremony is only open to a limited number of guests of our graduates. Stay tuned for streaming information.
