The Obamas will deliver a commencement speech for the virtual ‘Dear Class of 2020’ graduation ceremony to be hosted by YouTube on Saturday June 6, 2020.
The upcoming special will bring together graduates from high schools, universities and others in one space for a virtual graduation ceremony in place of the affected physical version that has either been postponed or cancelled indefinitely amid the COVID-19 crisis, per each school’s directive.
“Graduation is a tradition that students and families look forward to and with the current state of the world, YouTube is lending some inspiration in the form of a virtual commencement,” said Susanne Daniels, global head of content for YouTube. “We hope bringing together noteworthy, influential speakers along with performances from some of their favorite artists will provide encouragement for the students who have worked so hard to get here.”
‘Dear Class of 2020’ will feature alongside Michelle and Barrack on the commencement speakers front, Lady Gaga, BTS, former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, former Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates, Alphabet, Google CEO Sundar Pichai, Malala Yousafzai.
A special appearance will also be made by Alicia Keys, Kelly Rowland, Kerry Washington, Chloe x Halle, Zendaya, and YouTube creators Jackie Aina, AsapSCIENCE, Dude Perfect, Mr. Kate, and The Try Guys.
Michelle and Barrack’s involvement with the virtual graduation ceremony comes in after a California high school senior Lincoln Debenham tweeted Barack to consider the option of giving a national commencement speech to help bring comfort to affected students whose last day prom graduation day have been axed by COVID-19.
After the tweet, #ObamaCommencement2020 became a huge trend on the platform from all sides making it a possibility today.
“I’ve always loved joining commencements––the culmination of years of hard work and sacrifice. Even if we can’t get together in person this year, Michelle and I are excited to celebrate the nationwide Class of 2020 and recognize this milestone with you and your loved ones,” the former president of the United States, Barack Obama shared yesterday.
‘Dear Class of 2020’ is being produced by Done and Dusted. Nadine Zylstra, head of learning for YouTube Originals will oversee the project for YouTube together with Danny Zaccagnino, Laurel Stier, Lauren Vrazilek, and Zoe Di Stefano.
Elsewhere with virtual ceremonies for Obama, he will participate in the ‘Show Me Your Walk, HBCU Edition,’ slated for May 16, to-be-held on behalf of historically black colleges and universities. The former president will also deliver a commencement message during ‘Graduate Together: America Honors the High School Class of 2020’ on May 16 hosted by XQ Institute, the LeBron James Family Foundation, and the Entertainment Industry Foundation.
LeBron James, Yara Shahidi, Ben Platt, the Jonas Brothers, Pharrell Williams, Malala Yousafzai, Bad Bunny, Lena Waithe, Megan Rapinoe and H.E.R. are all set to make an appearance for the ceremony.
Michelle Obama’s Reach Higher Initiative, Born This Way Foundation is also bottling up contents to showcase student stories and feature graduates around the world, including a crowd-sourced commencement speech for YouTube. The production is joint work with Malala Fund, NBC’s ‘Today’ and Ideas United.
