N.C. A&T, Other HBCUs, President Obama and Celebrity Guests to Participate in Nat’l HBCU Weekend Commencement Activities

EAST GREENSBORO, N.C. (May 14, 2020) – On Saturday, May 16, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University will join forces with more than 75 schools honoring over 30,000 seniors from historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) across the country during the “Show Me Your Walk HBCU Edition” commencement, presented by Chase.

The 2-hour livestream event begins at 2 p.m. (ET), on Chase’s YouTube, Twitter, and LinkedIn channels, as well as HBCU Connect’s Facebook page and Essence Studios.

Former President Barack Obama will participate in the event, hosted by actor/comedian Kevin Hart and featuring Debbie Allen, Steve Harvey, Chris Paul, U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris, Wyclef Jean, Chase Consumer Banking CEO Thasunda Brown Duckett, and many other special guests. The event 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.

N.C. A&T’s Chancellor Harold L. Martin Sr. has shared special messages to be included and alumni, television host and film producer, Terrence Jenkins and Janice Bryant Howroyd, founder and CEO of ActOne Group, are among many featured guests.

“This exciting national event will not only celebrate the accomplishments of our graduates, but the academic excellence flourishing at our institutions across the country,” said Chancellor Martin. “I really appreciate the creativity that has gone into its preparation. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”

This isn’t the first time A&T has collaborated with President Obama to celebrate the HBCU experience and students. In 2016, the university welcomed the 44^th president of the United States to campus for a conversation on sports, race and achievement, presented by ESPN’s The Undefeated. 

In addition to “Show Me Your Walk,” two additional virtual events will take place this weekend as part of the celebration. 

• #HBCUGradParty with DJ D-Nice via IG Live, Saturday, May 16, from 9-11 p.m. (ET), powered by Hennessy and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF), celebrating and highlighting graduates and their institutions. The official after-party for the National HBCU Commencement Celebration will raise funds for participating HBCUs and their students (for the 21 and older crowd). 

• #HBCUCookout, hosted by All Def Digital and Watch the Yard via All Def Digital Facebook Live, Sunday, May 17, at noon, powered by Facebook, TMCF, Paul Quinn College and the United Negro College Fund. 

These three events--while separate from each other – form the National HBCU Commencement Celebration – a weekend experience.