Brick Memorial Alumna Melaine Ferdinand-King Named Brown University Doctoral Commencement Speaker

Brick Memorial High School proudly celebrates the outstanding achievement of 2014 graduate Melaine Ferdinand-King, who has been selected as the 2025 Doctoral Commencement Speaker at Brown University.

Ferdinand-King was chosen by the Graduate Student Council and the Graduate School to deliver the keynote address at the doctoral ceremony on Sunday, May 25. In sharing the news, she reflected on the transformative impact of her time at Brown and expressed heartfelt gratitude to her mentors, family, and friends.

Her message to graduates is a powerful one:

“My message is to defy expectations and challenge yourself to be more than the traditional. And trust yourself — trust yourself enough to show up in spaces where you’re needed, even if you don’t feel like that particular path was originally carved out for you.”
— Melaine Ferdinand-King, Doctoral Commencement Speaker

The Mustang community beams with pride as Melaine continues to inspire and lead. Her journey from Brick Memorial to Brown is a testament to perseverance, authenticity, and purpose.

Learn more: https://www.brown.edu/news/2025-05-08/graduate-speakers