Award-winning actor, Sumter native Ellis will be Morris College's 2025 Commencement speaker

Morris College announced Jay Ellis, an award-winning actor, writer, director, producer and Sumter native, will deliver the keynote address at the college's 2025 Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, May 3, at 10 a.m. The event will take place at Sumter County Civic Center.

Widely known for his role as Lawrence on HBO's critically acclaimed, Golden Globe-nominated and Peabody Award-winning series "Insecure," Ellis has become a dynamic force in the entertainment industry. His performance as Lt. Reuben Fitch in the Oscar-winning blockbuster "Top Gun: Maverick" further solidified his place as a leading man in Hollywood.

Ellis stars in Netflix's top-10 comedy series "Running Point" opposite Kate Hudson and in Lionsgate's "Freaky Tales." This summer, he will take to the stage in the Off-Broadway play "Duke & Roya," produced by John Legend.

In addition to his on-screen success, Ellis is the co-founder of production company Black Bar Mitzvah, a platform dedicated to championing diverse voices and storytellers. Under his leadership, the company has developed and produced projects across Hulu, BET, AMC, FX, HBO, Netflix, Amazon and more - including "Black Box," which became Amazon's sixth most-streamed film of 2020.

In 2024, Ellis released his debut book, "Did Everyone Have An Imaginary Friend (or Just Me)?," a reflection on the power of imagination and creativity in overcoming life's challenges.

Beyond entertainment, Ellis is deeply engaged in community advocacy. He has served on the board of AmfAR, was a National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness spokesman and spoke at the final My Brother's Keeper Summit hosted by the Obama White House. In 2018, he received the NAACP Image Award for "Outstanding Supporting Actor" in a Comedy Series.

"We are incredibly proud to welcome Jay Ellis back to Sumter," said Said Sewell, president of Morris College. "His success, authenticity and unwavering commitment to uplifting others make him a powerful role model for our graduates. We look forward to the inspiration and wisdom he will share on this milestone day."