6 Brainy, Beautiful Black Women Who Graduated From Harvard

4. Rashida Jones, 48

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Actress and filmmaker, Rashida Jones is most famous for her comedic talents on the NBC TV mockumentaries The Office and Parks and Recreation. But before following in the footsteps of her late father, music producer Quincy Jones, and pursuing a career in entertainment she planned to be a lawyer.

However, Jones instead took her own advice: “Don’t just follow the rules because it has always worked out that way in the past.” She went on to study philosophy and religion at Harvard University, graduating in 1997 and started her professional acting career the next year.

In Spring 2016 she did mimic her dad when she was named the Harvard Class Day speaker—Quincy gave the address at her graduation nearly 20 years prior.

“Here’s the simple truth: you are the only one who can create the life you want,” the outspoken actress told graduating seniors. “And you may have to break some rules to do that.”