Kean Celebrates 'Black Excellence' at African Heritage Graduation

An exuberant crowd of students, friends and family members filled Wilkins Theatre on Kean University’s Union campus on Saturday, May 6 for the 36th annual African Heritage Graduation, a cultural celebration of graduates of African descent. 

With African drummers and dancers leading the procession, and friends and family watching and recording on cell phones, about 150 Kean students, many wearing colorful, traditional clothing, marched into the auditorium to celebrate their achievements.

“Today is the day we celebrate Black excellence,” said Kean University President Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D., who delivered remarks to the crowd. “You met all the requirements. You don’t have to ever doubt yourself. You have a purpose in your life. You have to do something to be great.”

The Office of Africana Studies and the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion held the ceremony, carrying on a tradition that began 36 years ago at Kean. Along with Repollet, speakers included Sharon Boyd-Jackson, Ph.D., interim director of the Office of Africana Studies; Adjunct Professor Nware Burge; and Lisia Aikens, chair of the African Heritage Committee.

All of Kean’s colleges were represented. Deans and top administrators formed a line to shake the hand of each graduate as their name was called to cross the stage.

“This cultural celebration recognizes the academic achievements, diligence and dedication of students,” said Boyd-Jackson, adding that the ceremony “simultaneously acknowledges the contributions of their families, ancestry and networks of support during their time at Kean University.” 

The atmosphere at the ceremony was one of pride and celebration.

“I’m excited,” said Derek Givens of Newark who, with his wife, Kim, and a group of other family members, was celebrating his daughter Denisha Givens, who is earning her master’s degree.

“She breezed through,” her dad said.

“I love this,” his wife nodded, remarking on the African heritage celebration, which she said her daughter couldn’t wait to attend. “It’s wonderful.”

Jakia Smith had two reasons to cheer. She was celebrating her own graduation and that of her son, Zahveae Thorne. The mother and son, both from Green Brook, are both graduating with bachelor’s degrees, Smith in psychology and Thorne in communication.

“It means everything to be here together, to be part of this ceremony,” Smith said. “It’s almost like a rite of passage to cross the stage.”

Backstage before the ceremony, graduates posed for photos and soaked up the cultural experience. 

Aileemah Cannon-Horton of Union, who is graduating with her master’s degree in clinical mental health, wore a colorful yellow and purple African dress she bought for the occasion. She said she had a crowd of about 40 friends and family members attending. 

“I wondered what it would look like to experience a part of my culture in such a prestigious event,” said Cannon-Horton, who plans to continue her graduate studies and ultimately open her own practice as a licensed professional counselor. “I feel great. I feel excited about the next chapter.”

The ceremony also featured keynote speaker, attorney, activist and educator Romane Paul of New York. He said the graduating students represent the dreams and hopes of family members who had gone before them.

“I look at the audience and I see the dreams and hopes of great grandparents and grandparents. I see the dreams of ancestors who hoped and bled and sweated for a day like this one,” he said.

He quoted the work of poet Maya Angelou.

“You carry with you the gifts of the ancestors,” he said. “You, Class of 2023, are the gifts of your ancestors.”