In a time where storytelling is more crucial than ever, Co-Valedictorian Colin Royal stands at the intersection of truth and transformation. A double major in English and journalism from Richmond, Virginia, Colin’s academic excellence, leadership, and unwavering passion for narrative have made an indelible mark on the Morehouse College community.
Colin’s journey has been defined by both scholarly rigor and a deep commitment to service. As Editor-in-Chief of The Maroon Tiger, Morehouse’s historic student-run newspaper, he has spent three years shaping campus discourse and elevating student voices. His leadership extends beyond the newsroom—he serves as Secretary and Chaplain for Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. [Psi Chapter] and holds an active role in the college’s chapter of the NAACP.
His intellectual drive has earned him consistent recognition: Colin has made the Dean’s List every semester, received Morehouse’s Highest Academic Achievement Award annually, and was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa during his junior year. In 2023-2024, he was named a Jordan Journalism Scholar and was selected as a 2024 Nike Scholar.
Colin’s influence reaches beyond the gates of Morehouse. He is a SOAR Intern with Harvard Business Publishing and a member of the inaugural class of both the Dow Jones HBCU Media Collective and the Atlanta Chapter of the Institute for Responsible Citizenship. He has served as a media intern with HBCU All Stars LLC, a head staff writer for Makingabrand.co, and completed externships with the National Association of Investment Companies and the UCSB AfroLatinidades Institute.
But beneath these accomplishments lies a journey shaped by both triumph and grief. “I have lost a lot of people in my life throughout my time at Morehouse,” Colin shares. “Whether it be to sickness, old age, or suicide, I have had to say goodbye to people who were integral to my growth.” These experiences, he says, have deepened his resolve and clarity of purpose.
Describing his Morehouse journey as “circular,” Colin reflects, “Everything in some way has been interrelated. Morehouse has interwoven its very essence throughout my life—even before I stepped foot onto its hallowed grounds—and it will continue to be a part of my life after I leave.”
After graduation, Colin will pursue a master’s degree in journalism at New York University’s Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute, with dreams of becoming a travel and investigative journalist. His goal: to document the lives and struggles of global communities firsthand and share stories that illuminate the human condition.
When asked what it means to be a Morehouse Man, Colin responds with both humility and vision: “The four years that I spent here didn’t make me into a Morehouse Man but rather showed me how to bring out the nature of the Morehouse Man within myself. A Morehouse Man is not just someone who carries the torch of legacy, but someone who adds his own light to ensure its continued evolution.”
Colin attributes his success to his faith in God, the support of his family, and the encouragement of friends who kept him moving forward. His advice to those coming behind him: “You have to appreciate where you are more than you complain. If you constantly complain about what you lack, then you can never truly appreciate what you have.”
Colin Royal is not only a co-valedictorian—he is a beacon for what it means to live purposefully, think critically, and lead with empathy. Morehouse may have helped reveal the Morehouse Man within him, but the world is about to witness how brightly he can shine.
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Student Success