Obama & LeBron Honor the Class of 2020 in an Emotional Virtual Ceremony
The class of 2020 was sent off with a memorable, albeit virtual, ceremony Saturday night, presented by Barack Obama, LeBron James and a host of other celebrities.
The event dubbed #GraduationTogether celebrated the millions of seniors whose graduation ceremonies were canceled due to Covid-19 and follows and followed up on Friday’s ceremony with Cardi B and Oprah.
Saturday’s televised event featured an emotional commencement speech from the former POTUS. “I couldn’t be prouder of all of you in the graduating class of 2020 as well as the teachers and the coaches and, most of all, parents and family who’ve guided you along the way.”
Obama noted that “the world has turned upside down” by the pandemic but “it’s woken a lot of young people up to the fact that the old ways of doing things just don’t work.”
LeBron was introduced by a student from the I Promise School he founded and delivered an emotional and hopeful speech. “In our poorest neighborhoods in America, school is about much more than learning,” James said. “Our schools are our safety net. … It’s time to chase every dream.”
Other special guests included Timothée Chalamet, the Jonas Brothers, Bad Bunny, Lena Waithe, Pharrell Williams, and H.E.R.
