The speaker, Denzel Washington, delivered a commencement speech where he emphasized the importance of taking risks, embracing failure, and striving for greatness. He encouraged the graduates to "fall forward" and not be afraid to fail, as it is an inevitable part of success. He shared his own experiences with failure, including being rejected for a Broadway role, but eventually achieving success through perseverance. He also emphasized the importance of hard work, discipline, and consistency in achieving goals.
Washington also encouraged the graduates to be open to new experiences, opinions, and views, and to take risks in order to grow and make a difference in the world. He reminded them that they have the training and talent to succeed, but it's up to them to have the courage to take the leap.
Throughout the speech, Washington emphasized the importance of gratitude, kindness, and humility, and encouraged the graduates to "say thank you in advance" for the good things that are already theirs. He concluded by urging them to "aspire to make a difference" and not just a living, and to "reach back and pull someone else up" when they achieve success.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. The speaker is addressing a group of graduates.
2. The speaker mentions that people have invested in the graduates and that the world needs their talents.
3. The speaker says that you can't take material possessions with you when you die.
4. The Egyptians tried to take their possessions with them to the afterlife but were robbed.
5. The speaker quotes Nelson Mandela, saying "there is no passion to be found playing small, in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living."
6. Reggie Jackson struck out 2,600 times in his baseball career, but is remembered for his home runs.
7. Thomas Edison conducted 1,000 failed experiments before inventing the light bulb.
8. The speaker mentions that they auditioned for a role in a Broadway musical but didn't get the part because they couldn't sing.
9. The speaker eventually landed a role in a play called "Fences" on Broadway, 30 years after their first audition.
10. The speaker mentions that Les Brown, a motivational speaker, said "to get something you never had, you have to do something you never did."
11. The speaker talks about the importance of taking risks and being open to new experiences and opinions.