Black leaders will celebrate HBCU grads during “Show Me Your Walk HBCU Edition” Event

Black leaders and 78 schools are joining forces to virtually celebrate HBCU grads during the ‘Show Me Your Walk HBCU Edition’ commencement event presented by Chase.

Hosted by Kevin Hart, guest appearances for the event will include Steve Harvey, Chase Consumer Banking CEO Thasunda Brown Duckett, Ariel Investments Co-CEO and President Mellody Hobson, National Urban League president, Marc Morial, and academic leaders from participating HBCUs. Other participants include 10-time NBA All-Star Chris Paul, 8-time NBA All-Star Vince Carter, Debbie Allen and Vivica Fox.

There will also be a special message during the event from President Barack Obama.

The virtual commencement will also include performances by Anthony Hamilton, Wyclef Jean, Omari Hardwick and other musical guests—as well as a drumline mash-up featuring Doug E. Fresh.

During the event, HBCUs will showcase and highlight past and current graduates, including Class of 2020 students from Howard University, Delaware State, Paul Quinn College, Florida Memorial College and Texas Southern Law Center.

“Every student graduating in the Class of 2020 deserves to celebrate this moment—they earned it, even more so during a challenging year for our country and the world. We are showing up for them because we recognize they are our now and our future, and the way forward is full of opportunity,” said Chase Consumer Banking CEO Thasunda Brown Duckett in a press release.

The idea for hosting a virtual commencement ceremony for HBCU students was conceived by Dr. Michael Sorrell, President of Paul Quinn College (PQC) and member of the ABP Advisory Council.

Additional organizers for the event include Howard University, The National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education (NAFEO), Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF), United Negro College Fund (UNCF) and the National Basketball Association (NBA.) Essence is supporting the event as a livestreaming partner.

“As a result of COVID-19, our students have been robbed of a moment that they and their families have earned,” Sorrell said.

“I am so grateful that this coalition of partners stepped up to answer the call of the HBCU community and stand in the gap for our students and their families.”

The 2-hour event will be live-streamed on Chase’s YouTube, Twitter, and LinkedIn channels, as well as HBCU Connect’s Facebook page and Essence Studios. 

The event will take place May 16th at 2:00 PM EST.

More information is available on chase.com/hbcustudent, including a list of participating schools.

Photo: _willpower_