Award-winning actress, producer and entrepreneur Tracee Ellis Ross will headline Colgate University’s annual Arts, Creativity and Innovation Weekend on Friday, April 10, in the Memorial Chapel.
Ross, whose storied career spans television, film and business, joins an impressive cohort of Kerschner Family Series Global Leaders. Founded in 2007 and sponsored by Colgate’s Parents’ and Grandparents’ Fun, this series seeks out speakers who will provoke thoughtful, meaningful discussion across campus.
Previous speakers have included poet Amanda Gorman, ballerina Misty Copeland, former POTUS Joe Biden, and the Dalai Lama.
Ross is best known for her eight-season run on the ABC comedy “black-ish,” as well as her role on the UPN and CW series “Girlfriends.”
A nine-time NAACP Image Award and Golden Globe recipient, Ross has received wide recognition for her work on screen and in the public eye. She has also been named a Disney Legend for her contributions to The Walt Disney Company.
Other notable projects include “Common People” from the seventh season of Netflix’s “Black Mirror” and her reality docuseries “Solo Traveling with Tracee Ellis Ross” on Roku.
Beyond acting, Ross is the founder and co-CEO of PATTERN Beauty, a global hair care brand launched in 2019 to serve people with curly, coily and tight-textured hair. The company has grown into a multimillion-dollar business and reflects Ross’ broader commitment to representation and creative ownership.
A testament to her hard work and success, Ross earned honorary doctorates from her alma mater Brown University in 2015 and from Spelman College in 2023.
Arts, Creativity and Innovation Weekend will also feature student performances, an entrepreneur showcase and additional Third-Century Plan programming. The event will be open to the public and livestreamed online. Ticket information will be released in the coming weeks.
