We Were Here: Honoring Black Excellence
Date: May 17th at Noon
Location: Texas Union Ballroom, 3.202
Parking: Parking is available in the San Antonio Garage at 2420 San Antonio Street. Please call Malik Crowder at 512-471-5013 by May 10th if you need ADA accommodations.
Register and pay for Black Graduation (includes Senior Brunch) by clicking the buttons below.
There is a $40 registration fee associated with Black Graduation, register by May 4th to participate in the event. The $40 fee is for graduate participation only; family, friends, and mentors are welcome to attend for free.
Contact mcrowder@austin.utexas.edu with questions.
About Black Graduation
Black Graduation is an annual program that gives graduates the chance to commemorate and cherish all the accomplishments, memories, and challenges throughout their college years. Furthermore, it is an occasion for parents and families of graduates to meet with Black faculty and staff to gain a greater insight on the journey of their students.
A reception featuring heavy hors d’oeuvres will immediately follow the ceremony.
Keynote Adress
Dedrick Johnson is a 1995 graduate from the University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Journalism degree in Public Relations.
He spent 15 years as a public school educator before changing careers. He is now a process technician at Marathon Petroleum Company in Texas City, Tx. He has served 16 years as City Commissioner for the City of Texas City and still has even more political aspirations in the future. He is associate minister at Greater st. Matthew’s Baptist Church in Hitchcock Texas.
A mover and a shaker on the 40 acres back in the early 90’s with many tasks and titles… But today, we are happy to have the man behind the movement of what has become the Black Graduation Ceremony… Mr. Dedrick Johnson, Sr.
Senior Brunch and Graduation Walk Through
Date: May 16th at 10AM
Location: SAC Legislative Assembly Room
Dress Code: Cocktail
The brunch will feature toasts as well as stories from members of the senior class. A short graduation walkthrough will directly follow brunch.
Photos
A photographer will be on hand to capture every special moment. Photos will be posted on the Black Graduation website following the ceremony.
Give Back to Black
Please consider making a donation to Afrikan American Affairs for their various programs that benefit the Black community including: New Black Student Weekend, From Us For Us Scholarship & BBQ, and Black Graduation. All proceeds will go towards Afrikan American programming. Pledges can be made for future donations or you can make a one time gift now at our giving page. Please place the program that you are contributing to in the notes section.
Afrikan American Affairs is an agency within the Multicultural Engagement Center. We strive to provide support, enrichment services, and leadership development to Black students on campus, those in the greater Black community as well as anyone interested in Black culture.
Contact mcrowder@austin.utexas.edu for more information and with any questions.
For Graduates – Please Read:
Please arrive at the Texas Union Lone Star room on May 17, 2018, no later than 10:00 AM with your cap and gown. When you arrive, visit the registration tables, check in, write the phonetic pronunciation of your name on a notecard.
Graduates will be lined up at 11:15 AM and processed in by faculty promptly at 12 PM. Late arrivals will have seats saved. The ceremony will include an undergraduate address, keynote speech, stolling and/or hooding of graduates, and welcome from the Black Exes.
A reception featuring heavy hors d’œuvres and a graduate toast will immediately follow the ceremony. Graduate certificates, as well as gift bags, will be given out during the reception. Black Graduation is scheduled from 12-3PM.
Again, the registration deadline is May 4th. Friends and family do not need to RSVP to attend the event.
