Education
The ups and downs of the 2024 HBCU commencement season
As the sun set on 2024 graduation ceremonies at Historically Black Colleges and Universities across the country, this season illuminated a scene full of joy, resilience and a poignant reminder of the unique challenges these esteemed HBCUs proceed to face. From the cheers of families witnessing the first generations of scholars take the stage, to the tearful farewells of friends and faculty who’ve grow to be family, this 12 months’s commencement was a living tapestry of triumph and tradition.
But in a 12 months reminiscent of the 12 months most graduates graduated from highschool during the coronavirus lockdown, these celebrations were interspersed with moments of stark reality, highlighting the disparities and obstacles that also stand in the way of true educational equality. Here are seven notable moments from the 2024 HBCU graduation season, where every cap and gown carries with it a story of perseverance, pride and a relentless pursuit of excellence.
The commencement speaker at Clark Atlanta University took attendees to church
At a ceremony at Clark Atlanta University, writer and professor of African American studies, Dr. Daniel Black, delivered perhaps the best commencement speech. In a moving, sermon-inspired speech, Dr. Black made guests feel like they were attending a Sunday service, strengthening and affirming the university’s graduating class of 2024. Regardless of what 12 months you graduated from college, or should you graduated in any respect, his speech was a strong reminder that “if Harriet Tubman runs to freedom, you can run to your destiny.”
Political similarities were underscored by Morehouse College’s 2024 commencement
Angela Bassett confirms girl power at Spelman University
“Lift your head up and step into the role of the queen you were prepared to be,” Angela Bassett told the Spelman College graduating class of 2024. The award-winning actor attended the graduation ceremony at the historically black women’s college as the commencement speaker. In addition to delivering an empowering speech, Bassett received an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree alongside Supreme Court Justice Dr. Kentanji Brown Jackson, who received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from an HBCU.
Al Roker and Deborah Roberts teamed up as Fisk University’s commencement speakers
Black media veterans Al Roker and Deborah Roberts served as keynote speakers at Fisk University’s a hundred and fiftieth commencement ceremony on May 6.
“Deborah and Al are more than just media icons,” says Fisk CEO, Dr. Agenia W. Clark said about the couple joining this 12 months’s graduation ceremony. “They are now valued friends of Fisk University, and their commitment to excellence and social responsibility reflects our core values. We are incredibly grateful for their willingness to inspire our class of future leaders as they embark on their journeys.”
“Courage” class at Howard University
This 12 months’s Howard University commencement speaker, Thasunda Brown Duckett, president and CEO of the Teacher Insurance and Annuity Association (TIAA), recognized the courage of the graduating class of 2024. Like most of the undergraduate class of 2024, Howard’s graduating class began her college journey in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic. From the moment they began their college careers to the moment they took the stage, these students were forced to beat a series of unprecedented challenges.
This 12 months, HU was faced with graduation venue issues, which limited the space available for guests and prevented many families from seeing their family members receive their diplomas. While graduating from nursing school, the university was forced to finish the ceremony before graduates could take the stage attributable to the facility reaching its maximum capability and an outbreak of violence amongst the families that were locked up.
FAMU’s mysterious donation
At Florida A&M University’s commencement ceremony, speaker Gregory Gerami boldly announced an ultimately controversial donation to the university. Despite apparently announced “The money is in the bank” to an enthusiastic graduation audience, Gerami’s $238 million donation subsequently sparked a series of investigations into the institution and, as reported Fortune, could also be worthless. Although FAMU president Larry Robinson he reportedly stated that donations had been “suspended” without further explanation, the speaker’s graduation gift has make clear questionable practices at the university, as staff appear to have missed a number of “red flags” in accepting the donation.
Hampton University celebrated its largest cohort of graduate students
With Hampton University awarding degrees to greater than 665 graduates, the 2024 commencement was a milestone for HBCUs. During the 154th inauguration ceremony, the university honored the largest group of doctoral students in its history, in addition to the youngest graduate, Kyndall Johnsonwho began her undergraduate studies there and received her diploma at the age of 19.
This week, the Bureau of Civil Rights of the Education Department sent letters to 60 universities throughout the country, conducting them. According to the Department, these letters served as warnings about potential enforcement activities against universities “if they do not fulfill their obligations arising from the VI Act on civic rights in order to protect Jewish students in the campus.”
This happened shortly after the Trump administration dismissed $ 400 million in federal subsidies and contracts at Columbia University in consequence of the alleged lack of address anti-Semitism on the campus during pro-Palestinian protests.
“Universities must follow all federal provisions on anti -discrimination, if they intend to receive federal funds,” said education secretary Linda McMahon in a press release. “For too long, Columbia abandoned his duty to Jewish students studying in his campus.”
Before the decision, President Trump threatened that he would stop “all federal funds for every university, school or university that allow illegal protests.” He also added that “agitators would be imprisoned/or permanently sent back to the country from which they came.”
Although Trump has not yet defined “illegal protests” resulting from the president’s threats at the side of the administration on pro-Palestinian protests, many Americans have concerns about their very own First amendment Rights that guarantee freedom of speech. Especially after the recent arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, consistent with the law of a everlasting resident and student of Colombia, who reportedly called a “radical foreign student of pro-Hamas” by immigration and accurate enforcement (ICE) on March 8.
Although the federal judge blocked Khalil’s deportation attempt, his case may be the first of many in the investigation of the Education Department. From the Ivy to state schools, each large and small schools, which were reportedly covered by the study, include:
- American University
- Arizona State University
- Boston University
- Brown University
- California State University, Sacramento
- Chapman University
- Columbia University
- Cornell University
- Drexel University
- Eastern Washington
- Emerson College
- George Mason University
- Harvard University
- Illinois Wesleyan University
- Indiana University, Bloomington
- Johns Hopkins University
- Lafayette College
- Lehigh University
- MidDlebury College
- Muhlenberg College
- Northwestern University
- Ohio State University
- Pacific Lutheran University
- Pomona College
- Portland State University
- Princeton University
- Rutgers University
- Rutgers University-Newark
- Santa Monica College
- Sarah Lawrence College
- (*60*) University
- State University of New York Binghamton
- State University of New York Rockland
- State University of New York, Purchase
- Swarthmore College
- Temple University
- New school
- Tufts University
- Tulane University
- Union College
- University of California Davis
- University of California San Diego
- University of California Santa Barbara
- University of California, Berkeley
- University of Cincinnati
- University of Hawaii in Manoa
- University of Massachusetts Amherst
- University of Michigan
- University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
- University of North Carolina
- University of South Florida
- University of Southern California
- University of Tampa
- University of Tennessee
- University of Virginia
- University of Washington-Seattle
- University of Wisconsin, Madison
- Wellesley College
- Whitman College
- Yale University
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Randi Pink sent 100 copies of “Angel of Greenwood” to students of the Pine-Richland highschool in Pennsylvania.
WTAE PITTSBURGH announced that Randi Pink’s “Angel of Greenwood “ He reaches highschool students of pine, despite the fact that he’s rejected from the ninth class program.
The students were disenchanted when the school board denied the inclusion of the book, which prompted them to respect. The twelfth Nedda Immen contacted Pink to ask for a copy of a historical novel.
Pink replied Sending 100 free copies.
“I got to Randi and thought that it would be great to get these books and distribute them because we want to make a statement without a lack of respect. This is one of our biggest goals and I think this is an almost perfect example, “said Immen.
Junior Elise Duckworth expressed confusion towards the decision of the school council. “Angel of Greenwood” It is ready in 1921 during the Tulsa Race massacre, a key moment in America’s history, when the blooming black community was rapidly destroyed by racism and hatred.
“I have a problem with understanding reasoning that do not allow this book. I am currently reading it and I think it’s a great book. He talks about something that many students don’t know about. Many people know nothing about the massacre in the Tulsa race, “said Duckworth.
While the opinions on the rejection of the book are different, the President of the Board of the School Philip Morrissette emphasized that its historical importance will not be questioned. Instead, the Management Board found that it didn’t meet the rigorous educational required for the ninth class program.
“”Greenwood angel ‘ It is a great book for students with good historical significance, “said Morrissette.
In a statement for Pittsburgh’s Action News 4, Morrissette explained that the book was not previously in the curriculum and will not be prohibited.
“”Greenwood angel ‘ It was not previously a part of Ela of the ninth grade (English art). It was suggested text to add during the removal of the existing basic text of the ninth class, “The story of two cities“He said.
Despite the Duckworth and Immen, they talked publicly and arranged events on the occasion of the celebration Greenwood angel. Thanks to the support of the community, they raised funds for 2 book conversations with pink.
Pink pushed the view that her book has no academic value, saying that she intentionally wrote each page for teenagers. However, he sees hope for the way forward for integration literature through the activities of Sosny-Richland students.
“When they are responsible,” said Pink, “We’ll be fine.”
Robert Clark was the very best rating of a black man in the Mississippi government.
Robert G. Clark, the first representative of Black House Mississippi elected after the movement for civil rights, died on March 4 on the age of 96, reports Associated Press.
His son, Rep. Bryant Clark said he died calmly for natural reasons.
Chosen in 1967, Clark met with intensive racism and social confusion when he took the place on the Mississippi legislator. The former pedagogue obtained a master’s degree in education. After attending College in Michigan, he returned home, assessed the needs of Mississippi residents and decided to take motion.
During his profession, Clark was appointed Pro tempore speaker from Mississippi House in 1992 and sat down on the house education committee.
In an interview with Mississippi public Broadcasting Clark, he thought of his mission to enhance the life of all Mississippi, regardless of political ideology.
“Instead of going to a legislator acting against someone, go to the legislator working for Mississippi,” he said. “I spent 36 years in legislation, and my main interest was to look for Mississippi. Regardless of the weakness of Mississippi, I looked at it and tried to strengthen it. I did not look at whether they were independent, democratic or Republican – I just looked at the need. “
Clark first ran to the office as independent, unrelated to any political party. He He remembered his release and ignored by other legislators.
“They wouldn’t sit with me,” he said.
On the day of his death, the legislators honored Clark for a moment of silence in the identical rooms in which he once bore insulation as a black man in the federal government. The presence of Clark in the legislator of Mississippi was historical as a direct descendant of enslaved people.
“He was definitely a pioneering and an icon,” said House speaker (*96*) White. “He was always very good for me when I was elected to office.”
Former colleague and current mayor of Vicksburg George Flaggs he spoke high Clark’s legacy.
“My prayers go to Robert Clark and his family,” said Flaggs. “Dear Robert Clark broke so many barriers. I will always remember him as a gentleman who has persevered. I learned so much from him. He was a man giant. “
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