Massasoit Hosts Second Black Graduating Student Recognition Ceremony
“Lift Every Voice” is the first-such program at a community college in Massachusetts
BROCKTON, Mass (May 15, 2024) – Massasoit Community Collegewill host its second Black Graduating Student Recognition Ceremony on May 16, 2024 on its Brockton campus. The event, titled “Lift Every Voice,” is the first of its kind to honor Black-identifying graduates at a community college in Massachusetts.
The event has been coordinated by the College’s faculty and staff members of the National Council on Black American Affairs’ (NCBAA) Bay State Chapter. During the event, students will process across the stage and be presented with special Kente Cloth graduation stoles and flowers, will hear from a number of inspiring speakers, including Commissioner Pamerson Ifill (Massachusetts Probation Service), and enjoy performances by Brockton Youth Poet Laureate Hannah Baptiste, the Ready S.E.T. Step Team, and Desta “Deejay Dex” Williams.
“Massasoit is proud to be the first community college in Massachusetts to host an event honoring our Black-identifying graduates,” said Bill Mitchell, Interim President of Massasoit Community College. “Commencement season is always an exciting time of year, and celebrating the accomplishments of our Black graduates, as they continue on their journey, is an important and significant honor.”
“Massasoit recognizes the importance of acknowledging and celebrating our diverse student population,” said Dr. Carine Sauvignon, Executive Dean of the Canton Campus, and an organizer of the event. “In partnership with the Bay State Chapter of NCBAA we are excited to be holding our second annual event of honoring our Black graduates on May 16. Black graduating student recognition ceremonies have been taking place at colleges and universities in the United States since 1972. These cultural celebrations honor the journey that students from across the African diaspora have made to achieving their academic goal. They also honor the village of supporters who have helped them along the way. It’s important to Massasoit and the Bay State Chapter of NCBAA to be part of this celebration and continue to show support of our students and our graduates.”
A council of the American Association of Community Colleges, the NCBAA serves as a collaborative voice, promoting the academic success of African American students, faculty, staff, and administrators. The Bay State Chapter promotes the development of the full human potential, teaching excellence through intellectual, social, and cultural enrichment and it encourages the advancement of Black students, faculty, staff, and administrators in Massachusetts’ community colleges. For more information, visit the Baystate Chapter of NCBAA website.
Event Details
Lift Every Voice: Black Graduating Student Recognition Ceremony
Livestream [LINK: www.massasoit.edu/commencement]
May 16, 2024
6:00 – 7:30 pm
Buckley Performing Arts Center, Large Theatre
1 Massasoit Blvd.
Brockton, MA 02302
Founded in 1966, Massasoit Community College offers students from southeastern Massachusetts and beyond access to more than 60 associate degree and certificate programs across arts, sciences, applied sciences, healthcare, and technology at locations in Brockton, Canton, Middleborough, and online. More than 900 students graduate with a degree or certificate each year from Massasoit, and 2,600 students annually enroll in non-credit community education or workforce development courses. Massasoit students are given access to wraparound services provided on campus to support their success inside and outside the classroom. For more information, visit massasoit.edu.