Saturday, May 18th was a beautiful day at the Evergreen Missionary Church in Oakland for the 16th Annual African and African American Graduation, this year with the theme “Stepping Into Our Future, Inspired By Our Past.” Congratulations to all who participated in the graduation ceremony which featured a moving speech by Laney College student Damien Pope, Jr, and a rendition of “We are the Champions” performed by Benton Smith, also a Laney student. Another musical highlight was our Chancellor, Dr. Tammeil Gilkerson and Berkeley City College Professor Dr. Joya Chavarin leading the singing of the Black National Anthem, "Lift Every Voice & Sing." (Fun fact - they used to sing together in the UC Berkeley Gospel Choir!) Former PCCD Trustee and now Oakland City Council Member representing District 6, the Honorable Kevin Jenkins, provided the keynote address.
In addition to celebrating the graduates from the Class of 2024, the Peralta Association of African American Affairs also recognized all their Scholarship Award Recipients, and Peralta Honorees Alejandria Tomas (Dean of Career and Technical Education at Laney College), Mark Johnson (Executive Director of Marketing, Communication & Public Relations for the District), and Person of the Year Dr. David M. Johnson (President of Merritt College).
Photos of the event are available in SmugMug here: https://peraltacolleges.smugmug.com/2024-PCCD-Graduations/PAAAA-Graduation-May-18-2024
A video of the ceremony is available via YouTube.
Congratulations to Dr. Lawrence VanHook, President of the Peralta Association for African American Affairs and the organizing committee:
- Rose Allen, EOPS Counselor, Merritt College
- Ramona Butler, EOPS Coordinator, Berkeley City College
- Douglass Cobb, Counselor, Laney College
- Doris Hankins, Director of Student Activities & Campus Life, Merritt College
- Hope Lane, Executive Assistant to VP of Student Services, Laney College
- La Shawn Brumfield, Veterans Affairs, College of Alameda
Thank you for organizing a truly lovely event.
