Graduating Senior, Breane Brothers celebrates after being awarded her Kente Stole at CSUB’s Black Graduates recognition Ceremony in the Student Recreation Center, May 31.
By Adriana Vega
Photographer
Every spring right before graduation many ethnic groups decide to hold a recognition ceremony, and this year was no different.
The Black Graduates Recognition Ceremony for the Class of 2014 was held on Saturday May 31 in the Student Recreation Center’s Basketball courts. The ceremony is to honor those who have work and achieved the recognition of graduating and being presented with the Kente Stole to represent their African heritage. The Kente Stole is a stole filled with colors and patterns with each color having s significant meaning.
Evelyn Young sings the Black National Anthem at CSUB’s annual Black Graduates Recognition Ceremony, May 31.
“The ceremony is to show off your pride and who you are,” said graduating senior, Renelle Gisyer.
Each student attending is identified through the African American Student union as well as the University’s faculty and staff. Each student is individually recognized and presented with the Kente Stole to represent the African American pride at the commencement ceremony.
The ceremony, like most, begins with the processional. After each student was seated, the ceremony went on with Ms. Evelyn Young singing the Black National Anthem. Once the National Anthem was over, multiple speakers such as Dr. Thomas Wallace and student Linda Forrester walked to the podium to present awards for CSUB Trailblazers as well as to congratulate the graduating students on their honorable achievement.
Dr. Wallace, who gave words of encouragement to the graduating students said, “It is now time to jump off the porch and run with the big dogs.”
All members of the audience and graduating seniors shouted and cheered in excitement.
Graduating Senior Linda Forrester and Karla Young, embrace after Young awarded Forrester with her Kente Stole at the Black Graduates Recognition Ceremony, May 31.
June Grimes as well as other faculty and staff members were presented with recognition awards.
Students like Linda Forrester and Andre Polly were also given recognition awards for outstanding achievements during their undergraduate careers. After recognitions and awards, and performances were over, the Kente Stoles were finally awarded.
Students such as Breane Brothers celebrated and cheered with joy while others embraced and congratulated each other.
Gisyer’s sorority sisters Kelsey Eddings showed up with her family to shows support, “I am so proud of her and I can’t wait to walk across the stage with her in two weeks.”
For any information on the Black Graduates Recognition Ceremony contact Outreach Counselor at the office of University Outreach, Karla Young.
