Berkeley, CA – On May 14, 2025, the Peralta Community College District held its fifth annual Raíces Latinx Graduation celebration at Berkeley City College. The event, open to all, honored the achievements of Latinx graduates from Berkeley City College, College of Alameda, Laney College, and Merritt College, marking a significant milestone for students and their families.

The ceremony was imbued with a spirit of cultural pride and resilience, beginning with a procession of the graduates accompanied by the rhythms of Danza Mexica, a music and dance group including Professor Isela Santana of Merritt College and the statewide Puente program coordinator. Professor Santana provided the land acknowledgement, honoring the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the Ohlone peoples. This acknowledgment set a tone of gratitude and respect for the indigenous history of the land.

BCC counselor Luis Chavez and Lissette Flores, Director of BCC's Hispanic Serving Institution Grant, served as the MCs and introduced this year’s theme, Seguiremos Floreciendo (We Continue to Flourish). The first Raíces graduation celebration was held online during the pandemic, and they expressed gratitude in being able to celebrate this fifth annual graduation in person.

Berkeley City College President Dr. Denise Richardson offered inspiring words to the graduates. "Today we gather not just to celebrate a milestone but to honor a journey," she remarked, acknowledging the immense effort and sacrifices made by the students. Dr. Richardson emphasized the critical role of family in the Latinx community, stating, "Family is about the connections that we make with the people in our lives... in the Latinx community, family is everything." She also quoted Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, reminding graduates that "Until we get equality in education, we won't have an equal society." Dr. Richardson concluded by celebrating the graduates' resilience: "You are not just graduating; you are overcoming, you are rewriting stories, you are building legacies, you are exemplifying uncommon courage every day."

Peralta Community College District Chancellor Dr. Tammeil Gilkerson also delivered a powerful address, praising the graduates' "quiet growth" achieved through struggle and uncertainty. Dr. Gilkerson shared a profound proverb translated into Spanish and used by the Zapatista movement: "They tried to bury us, but they didn't know we were seeds." She expanded on this metaphor, encouraging graduates to continue blooming and to use their growth to uplift others. "Blooming isn't just personal; it's political," Dr. Gilkerson stated. "It's powerful to be here celebrating, your graduation is already resistance, it's already legacy, it's the voice of your ancestors saying 'Keep going, this is just the beginning.'"

PCCD Trustee Dyana Delfín Polk, a proud third-generation Mexican-American and community college graduate herself, also addressed the graduates. She highlighted the collective support that enables student success, noting, "We flourish because they poured into us; we bloom because of their sacrifice and their prayers." Trustee Delfín Polk reminded the graduates that their achievements were an "act of resistance and an act of hope" in a world that doesn't always make space for them.

The keynote speaker, Yosimar Reyes, a renowned poet, educator, and activist who previously attended community college in San Jose, further inspired the audience with his personal journey and message of perseverance. His words resonated deeply, connecting with the experiences of many first-generation and immigrant students.

The celebration also featured poignant speeches from student speakers, including Maria Citlaly Ibarra Alvarado from Berkeley City College, Alejandra Trejo from Laney College, and Alba Yomara Gonzalez from Merritt College. Each student shared their individual stories of overcoming challenges, finding community, and achieving their academic dreams. Their stories highlighted the transformative power of education and the unwavering support received from the Peralta community.

Carolina Martinez (co-founder of the BCC Undocumented Community Resource Center) performed a beautiful traditional dance to “Nino Perdido de Sinaloa” with graceful spin moves, causing her elegant dress to fan out and reveal a multitude of colors. It was a fabulous performance!

The event concluded with the reading of the graduates’ names (greeted by the cheers of their friends and family), followed by delicious food and drinks in the BCC Atrium.

Many thanks to the Raíces Planning Committee, which included:

• Johanna Carranza
• Lilia Celhay
• Marcus Creel
• Lisette Dominguez
• Alejandro Garcia
• Norma Guido Flores
• Lisette Flores
• Armando Franco
• Guadalupe Lizbeth Jimenez Martinez
• Danitza Lopez
• Carolina Martinez
• Gabriel Martinez
• Liliana Moncada
• Jorge Murillo
• Alejandra Oseguera
• Angelica Pena
• Adriana Regalado
• John Saenz
• Isela Santana
• Zaira Sanchez

The Raíces Latinx Graduation celebration was a testament to the hard work, dedication, and vibrant spirit of the Latinx community within the Peralta Community College District. It was a day of profound pride, joyful celebration, and powerful inspiration for all in attendance.

Photos can be found in this SmugMug gallery here.