By Quintessa Williams
It’s HBCU graduation season and Vice President Kamala Harris is joining in to celebrate the graduates. Kamala Harris, an HBCU graduate from Howard University, recently surprised the graduating class of North Carolina Central University with a special message on their commencement day, this past Saturday.
Congratulations to the HBCU Class of 2024. Well, you made it,” VP Harris said.
“Through early-morning classes and late-night study sessions. Through remote learning and social distancing. With the support of your family and friends and the faculty and staff. You made it to graduation.
I have to tell you — our nation is so proud of you. This is a special moment. I speak from personal experience when I say — someone you met your first day of class will be in your wedding party. Someone sitting near you today will ask you to be Godparent to their child. Or be at their swearing-in to public office.
And class of 2024: As Vice President of the United States I tell you — no matter what path you choose to follow from here — our nation needs you. We need your ambition. We need your aspirations. We need your voice and we need your leadership. In our schools, hospitals, courtrooms, as tech founders, entrepreneurs, engineers, scientists and leaders at the highest levels of government. We need you to continue to work to build a brighter future for our nation and our world. And you are ready.
As a proud HBCU graduate — I know firsthand — the value of attending an institution like yours. You leave here having been taught that you can do and be anything. And that you have a duty be excellent. To work to uplift the condition of all people. And to fight to protect our most fundamental rights and freedoms. So as you set out on the next chapter of your life. Remember there is no obstacle you can not overcome. There is no barrier that you cannot break. And there is no limit to your capacity for greatness.
And wherever you go, please always remember. Everyone you see today, we’re all going to be with you, cheering you. So congratulations on this tremendous achievement. I’m so very proud of you. Please take care. And wherever you go, please always remember. Everyone you see today, we’re all going to be with you, cheering you. So congratulations on this tremendous achievement. I’m so very proud of you. Please take care.“
VP Harris graduated from Howard in 1986 with a degree in political science and economics. Harris then returned to California to attend law school at the University of California, Hastings College of the Law through its Legal Education Opportunity Program (LEOP).
Harris is currently running for re-election on the ticket with President Joe Biden.