OAKLAND, CA – On Friday, May 9, 2025, the Peralta Community College District hosted its second annual district-wide Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Graduation Celebration, bringing together students, families, faculty, and staff from Berkeley City College, College of Alameda, Laney College, and Merritt College to honor the achievements of the graduating class of 2025. The festive evening was filled with inspiring speeches, beautiful music by Purple Silk Music Education Foundation, heartfelt reflections, and a powerful sense of community.
Skyler Barton, also known as MC SkyB, kicked off the celebration by highlighting the rich diversity within the Peralta Colleges. "Our AAPI community includes representation of over 20 ethnic groups and communities, cultural groups, a vast array of languages spoken, diverse family histories, and stories of how we have arrived where we stand today," Barton said. He encouraged graduates to reflect on their journey and acknowledge the support received from their families, both biological and chosen, emphasizing the collective effort behind their individual successes.
Dr. Tammeil Gilkerson, Chancellor of the Peralta Community College District, delivered a powerful address. "Today is more than a celebration," said Dr. Gilkerson, "it is an affirmation of who you are, where you come from, and what you are becoming. In this moment, we honor not just diplomas earned, but barriers broken, voices raised, and identities embraced." She acknowledged the challenges faced by the AAPI community, including "a resurgence of violence, xenophobia, and political scapegoating," but noted that the graduates' presence answers that resurgence “with pride and clarity... We are not outsiders. We belong. We contribute. We lead. We are a part of the fabric of this place, and we always have been."
The keynote address was delivered by Michael Line, a counselor at Chabot College and a proud Laney College alumnus. Line shared his personal journey as a first-generation college student and the first in his family to be born in the United States, after his parents fled Vietnam. He recounted a pivotal moment early in his academic career when an admissions and records person at Laney College helped him navigate the application process. "For me, that moment shifted everything," Line said, emphasizing that "even small moments can change someone's entire future." He also highlighted the unique resilience of community college students, who often balance personal goals and aspirations, family and cultural expectations, and endless work demands with their academic pursuits. Line concluded with key takeaways for the graduates: "Never underestimate the impact that you are making." "There is great strength in being a community college graduate," and "You don't need to see the entire road, take the steps in front of you, go as far as you can, and the road will reveal itself more and more."
Student voices and family stories were woven throughout the evening, underscoring the collective nature of the graduates' achievements. Student Speakers, including Jewel Xiong (Merritt), Carmen Tan (Laney), Erson Payopay (COA), Judy Alexis Lopez, and Jennifer Cancilla (both from BCC), acknowledged the sacrifices of parents, grandparents, and other family members who paved the way for the students' educational journeys. The sentiment of honoring elders and cultural traditions was a recurring theme, with one story illustrating how the familiar taste of a mother's cooking can bring a person to tears.
The celebration not only marked academic milestones but also served as a powerful testament to the strength, diversity, and unwavering spirit of the Peralta Community College District's AAPI community. The graduating class of 2025 is now poised to embark on their next endeavors, carrying with them the wisdom, resilience, and community spirit fostered during their time at the Peralta Colleges.
Many thanks to the incredible people across the district who helped organize the ceremony including Skyler Barton, Susan Cuong, Kimberly Dang, Connie Tran, Christina Taing-Rivera, Susan Truong, Phoumy Sayavong, Angela Khoo, Julie Saechao, Nickey Chao, Cynthia Taing, Joan Su, Alejandria Tomas, and David Lee, plus student leaders with APASS and Society of Scholars.
More photos from the AAPI graduation can be found at https://peraltacolleges.smugmug.com/District/Events-/2025-Events/Cohort-Graduations-2025/AAPI-Graduation-2025.