Never Too Late: Ray J decides to pursue a college degree at HBCU

Singer turned actor Ray J. has decided to pursue his business degree at Philander Smith College in Arkansas starting in January 2019.

Jay Scott Smith

Nov 12, 2018

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It’s often said that you’re “never too old” to go to college, and that message also applies to celebrities.

Love & Hip Hop Hollywood star Ray J. is looking to be another example of that as the 37-year-old has decided to pursue his business degree at Philander Smith College in Arkansas starting in January 2019.

“After speaking to the students about perseverance, hard work and being self-motivated, I was very inspired,” Ray J., real name William Ray Norwood, said on his Instagram under a picture of him surrounded by students cheering him on as he signs the paperwork.

“I welcome the opportunity to further my business skills as I continues to grow and expand my technology company @RayconGlobal,” he added. “It’s never too late to go to college.”

Ray J. was born in Mississippi, but raised in Southern California. He graduated from Carson Senior High School in 1999, but did not go to college.

Acting since he was 8-years-old, Ray J eventually further pursued a music and acting career, before breaking into reality TV with Love & Hip-Hop as well as starting his own business.

He said that he chose Philander Smith College after spending three days on campus, connecting with the students and the school’s President Roderick Smothers. He is also says he wanted to follow in the HBCU footsteps of his parents. His father, William Norwood Sr., attended Jackson State University while his and mother, Sonja, is a graduate of Southern University.

Ray J joins a growing list of entertainer who have decided to hit the books by going back to school. Two years ago, at the age of 35, Nick Cannon joined the freshman class at Howard University and in 2012, Tyra Banks completed a non-degree-granting certificate at Harvard Business school.

View this post on Instagram

God is working!! I chose to enroll in Philander Smith College. After speaking to the students about perseverance, hard work and being self-motivated, I was very inspired. I spent 3 consecutive days on campus engaging with the students and President Roderick Smothers. I’m very familiar with the HBCU experience because my parents attended HBCUs. I welcome the opportunity to further my business skills as I continue to grow and expand my technology company @RayconGlobal. It’s never too late to go to college. I’m so excited to be a part of the PSC family and strive to achieve my goals. First semester starts in January, 2019 .#PSC #Education #Motivation

A post shared by Ray J • “RIGHT ON TIME” (@rayj) on Nov 11, 2018 at 6:24am PST