‘It’s never too late to turn things around’: Oscar-nominated alum Delroy Lindo visits SFSU to talk with students

In intimate sessions with about 30 students and alumni in the Project Rebound and Guardian Scholars programs, Lindo engaged in emotional back-and-forth conversations with students. Rather than deliver lectures, he sat down in the front of the classroom and asked the students about their lived experiences and answered their questions.   

Project Rebound, a program of Associated Students, provides admissions and academic support for formerly incarcerated people. The Guardian Scholars Program helps students who have been in the foster-care system, offering them guaranteed admission to the University and supporting them throughout their SFSU career.   

“Programs like this are what make San Francisco State special: the concerted effort to reach out to communities that might not ordinarily have the opportunity to get a college education,” said Lindo, a member of the SFSU Foundation Board of Directors.  

Lindo has appeared in dozens of films, television shows and on the stage since the 1970s. He earned his first Academy Award nomination and Actor Award this year for Best Supporting Actor in “Sinners.” Born in England, he struggled through a disadvantaged childhood.  

“I am a walking, talking manifestation of ‘It’s never too late to turn things around.’ It’s never too late. I have lived that,” Lindo (B.A., ’04) told the Guardian Scholars. “What enabled me to be sitting here today talking to you all is that I had this dream. From the time I was young, when I grew up, I wanted to be an actor. Having that as my North Star gave me something to hold on to. Now, I’m saying this to you not because I’m proud. I’m saying this to you to communicate that there is always an ultimate path that you can take.” 

Our SFSU students say they found their conversations with Lindo to be highly valuable and inspirational. 

“I feel like it’s important for us to have opportunities like this, so that we can see for ourselves that our adverse background doesn’t discriminate us from opportunities,” said Sherrell Monique Teague, a graduating senior with a double major in Theatre Arts and Public Health. “Being able to have this opportunity makes me feel like, ‘OK, I can do this. I can keep going.’” 

Lindo is scheduled to speak to many more of our Gators this month. At the University’s Commencement ceremony on May 21, he will receive an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree and deliver the keynote address.   

Learn more about SFSU’s School of Cinema.