Billie Jean King, Father Greg Boyle among Cal State LA commencement honorees

Tennis legend Billie Jean King, Homeboy Industries founder Father Greg Boyle, Los Angeles civil rights leader Capri Maddox and attorney Omel A. Nieves will be among the featured speakers and honorees during Cal State Los Angeles’ commencement ceremonies next week.

The ceremonies, scheduled Monday through Wednesday at the Shrine Auditorium, will honor nearly 6,000 graduates across nine events, according to the university.

King is scheduled to receive her Bachelor of Arts degree in history and deliver the keynote address during a 5 p.m. commencement ceremony Monday.

She enrolled at Cal State LA in 1961 before leaving to pursue her tennis career, which included 39 Grand Slam titles and the landmark 1973 “Battle of the Sexes” victory over Bobby Riggs.

Boyle is scheduled to receive an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree and deliver the keynote address during a 9 a.m. ceremony Monday.

He founded what became the world’s largest gang intervention and rehabilitation program and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2024.

Maddox, executive director of the Los Angeles Civil Rights Department, is scheduled to deliver the keynote address and receive Cal State Los Angeles’ Presidential Award during a 5 p.m. ceremony Wednesday.

“One of Los Angeles’ leading voices on civil rights and equity will take center stage at Cal State LA’s 2026 Commencement,” the university said in a statement announcing the event.

Maddox, a two-time Cal State LA graduate, will be recognized for her work advancing civil rights and equity initiatives across Los Angeles during more than two decades in public service, according to the university.

She currently serves as the founding executive director of the Los Angeles Civil Rights Department under Mayor Karen Bass and has overseen initiatives including the “LA For All” anti-hate campaign, which was distributed in 21 languages citywide.

Maddox earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Cal State LA.

Attorney and civic leader Nieves, president of the Cal State LA Foundation Board of Trustees, is scheduled to receive an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree and deliver remarks during a 1 p.m. commencement ceremony Wednesday.

University officials said Nieves is being recognized for more than 35 years of legal and civic leadership and his advocacy for student success.