Chancellor’s Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Luncheon

Hill Harper is a humanitarian, an award-winning actor, best-selling author, and entrepreneur. Harper starred in ABC’s #1 television drama, The Good Doctor, as well as in numerous television and film projects including CSI:NY, He Got Game and Lackawanna Blues. Harper has served as the National Spokesperson for several leading social justice organizations including The Lawyer’s Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, The Innocence Project, One Fair Wage; and Big Brothers Big Sisters. He also sits on the Board of Directors for the National Black Bank Fund and was named Honorary National Co-Chair of the Redevelopment of Black Wall Street. President Obama appointed Harper to the President's Cancer Panel, where he contributed to shaping cancer policy recommendations to the White House.

Additionally, Harper has authored four New York Times bestsellers: Letters to a Young Brother, Letters to a Young Sister, Letters to an Incarcerated Brother, The Conversation and his award-winning book, The Wealth Cure. that addresses ways to solve the racial wealth gap. Letters to a Young Brother and was named “Best Book for Young Adults” by the American Library Association. Harper has been recognized with seven NAACP Image Awards, for his writing and acting. As an extension of his empowerment books, Harper founded the Manifest Your Destiny Foundation and established The Pierce and Hill Harper Arts Foundation.

Harper graduated magna cum laude from Brown University with a Bachelor of Arts degree and was named Valedictorian of his department. Harper then graduated with a J.D. (cum laude) from Harvard Law School, as well as with a Master’s Degree with honors from Harvard Kennedy School of Government. He holds ten honorary doctoral degrees including doctorates from Howard University, Providence College, and Dillard University. Harper is a proud Life Member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. As an investor and business owner, Harper owns The Roasting Plant, a successful coffee franchise in downtown Detroit, is co-founder of A-Frame Brands and is co-owner of the award-winning New Orleans hotel, International House. Additionally, he sits on the Board of Directors of LOVED01, John Legend’s successful skincare brand. Harper owns several commercial and residential rental properties in Detroit, Los Angeles and Newark, NJ.