Commencement ceremonies are marketed as a time of celebration where graduates can reflect upon their collegiate experiences while transitioning into the land of possibilities. Program line-ups often include formal lectures from faculty, alums, or guest speakers and ensemble music. To that end, DePaul faculty and staff entered room 120 at the Lincoln Park Student Center dancing to the beat of a live drummer in traditional African garb. The DePaul University Black Leadership Coalition (DPUBLC) held its 16th Annual Graduation Celebration for Students of African Descent May 10.

Between the smooth jazz sounds of DePaul alumna Tecora Rogers, poetry readings, and student reflection videos, graduates and their guests enjoyed buffet-style dining. Kanisha Yates, an African Black Diaspora Studies BA degree candidate has been excited about the event since the beginning of her junior year.

“I couldn’t wait to get here,” said Yates. “I am very excited to be amongst my fellow brothers and sisters. I am ecstatic, happy, and honored. And I hope our ancestors are honored with us. Black Graduation is an appreciation of the elders within academia. It is a way for them to see their hard work come into fruition when their students cross this particular stage to graduate.” 

Paying homage to those who laid the foundation for their success, graduates link the present to the past in hope for a prosperous future. School of New Learning associate professor Derise Tolliver Atta, who serves on the Black Graduation Committee, outlined the importance of revisiting the past and recognizing the present as it relates to the future.

“Our experiences predate slavery,” said Atta. “The School of New Learning has adopted Sankofa, an African value that says, ‘It is not taboo to go back and fetch it.’ While the enslavement of our people happened, that is not the beginning of our existence, nor is it the beginning of our story. Acknowledging the work of our ancestors through African Libation Ceremonies help us remember our connection to a very strong past. No matter what struggles students may have had, they got to this point because of the ones that came before them.” 

Atta dismisses the notion that a separate graduation is racist. Defining racism as the fusion of power and prejudice, she does not connect the graduation ceremony to an exercise of power over anyone. 

“We are not negatively impacting anyone’s life opportunity,” said Atta. “When people say this is racist, they are operating under a Eurocentric perspective that says that ‘If I’m for this, then I must be against something else.’ I operate out of an African perspective that says that ‘If I’m for this, then I’m for this.’ The June commencement ceremony is not to be diminished or disregarded, but as faculty and staff of African descent, we wanted students of African descent to know that we support them. The intent is for us to empower our students to do positive things so that they can continue to thrive and prosper, not just survive.”

For Justin Cooper, a communications major, black graduation is an opportunity to celebrate being African-American, wheelchair bound, and above all else: successful.

“I’m proud that I took part in the ceremony because being here for five years has been a life-changing experience,” said Cooper. “What I like most about DePaul is that it is really diverse. It’s not just where African-American students can go, but also people with disabilities. The African Black Diaspora Department and the Office of Students with Disabilities have been very helpful. I am blessed and thankful to have received the help. DePaul has groomed me as a person. They have done a lot for me and I really appreciate it.”  

Following graduation, Cooper intends to continue work on an independent film project he began last year called “The Wheelchair Chronicles.”

Putting the Graduation Celebration into a cultural context, Dr. Tolliver Atta explained the significance of recognizing student achievements. “We come from a cultural community where the accomplishment of one is the accomplishment of all,” she said. “What better way to acknowledge that than in the company of the all?”