By AFRO Staff
The iconic Homewood Field at Johns Hopkins University will serve as the stage for more than a graduation on May 22. It will be a celebration of legacy, leadership and lifelong impact as four distinguished figures receive honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degrees during the university’s 2025 commencement ceremony. Among them is Dr. Frances “Toni” Murphy Draper, CEO and publisher of The AFRO-American Newspapers and a trailblazer in education, media and ministry.
Joining Draper in this prestigious honor are Louis J. Forster, chair of the Johns Hopkins University Board of Trustees and philanthropist; Salman Amin “Sal” Khan, founder of Khan Academy and this year’s commencement speaker; and Alexander Sandor Szalay, renowned astrophysicist and data science pioneer. The degrees will be conferred by Johns Hopkins President Ronald J. Daniels.
Honoring a Baltimore legacy
Dr. Draper’s life and leadership reflect a rare and enduring commitment to community. A proud daughter of Baltimore, she is the fourth-generation publisher of The AFRO-American Newspapers, the historic Black-owned press organization founded in 1892 by her great-grandfather, John H. Murphy Sr. Under her stewardship, The AFRO has expanded its digital reach, elevated new generations of storytellers, and remained a tireless advocate for justice and equity.
“This honor from Johns Hopkins means more than I can fully express,” Draper said. “My mother and I both earned degrees here, and now, to be recognized in this way is profoundly humbling.”
“I often think of my grandfather, Carl J. Murphy, who was denied admission to a summer class at Hopkins in 1915 because of the color of his skin,” said Draper. “How proud he would be to witness this moment—not just for our family, but for the progress it represents.”
Draper earned her Master of Science in Education from Johns Hopkins, following in the footsteps of her mother, the late Frances L. Murphy II. She is also a graduate of Morgan State University, the University of Baltimore, Loyola University Maryland, and holds a doctorate in ministry from United Theological Seminary. A former teacher in Baltimore City Public Schools and longtime pastor of Freedom Temple AME Zion Church, Draper’s impact spans classrooms, boardrooms, pulpits and newsrooms.
She has served on boards including Morgan State University, the Y of Central Maryland, Associated Black Charities, the National Newspaper Publishers Association and Word in Black, as well as on several Hopkins community boards and committees. Her recent book, “Prayer and Pen,” honors the legacy of her grandfather, Carl, who led The AFRO for over 40 years and was himself a renowned educator.
Honoring service, science and innovation
Louis J. Forster, a Johns Hopkins alumnus twice over, currently serves as chair of Hopkins’ Board of Trustees. With a background in global finance and a heart for civic engagement, Forster has championed equity in education and expanded access to opportunity through his philanthropic work. His tenure on the board has helped shape the university’s strategic direction during a pivotal era of growth and reflection.
Salman Amin Khan, founder of Khan Academy, has transformed global learning through his pioneering online platform. What began as tutoring sessions for a cousin has become a worldwide classroom—delivering free education to millions in over 190 countries. As commencement speaker, Khan will address the Class of 2025 with a message grounded in accessibility, innovation, and the power of lifelong learning.
Alexander Sandor Szalay, a Bloomberg Distinguished Professor at Johns Hopkins, is hailed as a visionary in astrophysics and big data. His leadership in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey helped create one of the most detailed maps of the universe, and his work continues to influence fields ranging from genetics to environmental science. Szalay’s commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration and open data has shaped modern approaches to scientific discovery.
President Daniels will confer the honorary degrees during the ceremony, a tradition that reflects the university’s longstanding commitment to honoring those who lead with purpose and impact.
The 2025 Commencement ceremony begins at 9 a.m. on Thursday, May 22 at Homewood Field, with a rain date set for May 23.
For graduates, families and the broader Hopkins community, it promises to be a day of joy, inspiration and reflection on the extraordinary contributions of leaders like Draper, Forster, Khan and Szalay.
The post Johns Hopkins to honor AFRO Publisher Frances Murphy Draper and other visionaries at 2025 commencement appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.
