Morgan State University will award three honorary degrees to David E. Talbert, Colin Kaepernick and David Burton Saturday at the 145th spring commencement.

Talbert, Morgan alumnus and award-winning filmmaker, will deliver the commencement speech in addition to receiving the honorary degree.

Talbert, Kaepernick and Burton were selected by the university based on their dedication to social justice and the African American experience.

“We intentionally sought a collection of individuals who truly embody [Morgan’s] principles, and thankfully we have assembled a trio of diverse voices who have bravely stood—and kneeled—for the betterment and advancement of the voiceless, the marginalized and the disenfranchised,” Morgan State President David Wilson said in a university press release.

Morgan will recognize Kaepernick, the former San Francisco 49ers quarterback, for his social activism with his first honorary degree.

Kapernick was widely recognized in 2016 for his kneeling protests during the national anthem at NFL games. Since then, he has supported the Black Lives Matter movement, published a children’s book and released a limited series about his life on Netflix.

Morgan alumnus Burton joins the list of spring 2022 honorary graduates.

Burton was the chief proponent in the notable Coalition for Excellence and Equity in Maryland Higher Education vs. the State of Maryland lawsuit.

He is a 1967 Morgan graduate and will celebrate 55 years since his graduation with an honorary degree. 

Wilson said, “We are absolutely thrilled to bestow honorary degrees to David E. Talbert, David Burton and Colin Kaepernick for their individual, and collective, contributions to the progression of the Black narrative and pursuit of excellence.”