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Celebrating Howard's Seniors of the Diaspora During the Inaugural International Graduation Ceremony

The international graduation was the first of its kind and held under the Office of International Affairs and LBGTQ+ Resource Center

Autumn Coleman
May 10, 2024 3 minutes
The International Graduation Grads of 2024 at Howard University

In the Gallery Lounge of the Armour J. Blackburn University Center, the Office of International Affairs and LGBTQ+ Resource Center hosted the inaugural International Graduation Celebration.  

The event celebrated graduating students with international backgrounds and their accomplishments at Howard University. A litany of speakers, food, and performances for the celebration highlighted the wealth of diasporic experiences amongst this years’ graduating class. 

“It is important that we're exposed to different cultures that exist within Blackness and that students are willing to be open to learn and explore,” said Jenelle Howard, assistant director of the center. “To ask questions and to challenge differences so that they can grow and be better people once they leave our University.” 

Students recognized in the ceremony were gifted stoles featuring the flags of their countries, but many elected to bring their own flags to show their pride.

Choices of curry chicken patties, veggie patties and coco bread complemented the international decor. Each table was adorned with miniature globes, playing cards with different nations and handheld flags including representation from Kenya, Haiti, Ghana, Puerto Rico and Jamaica.

Four graduates part of Howard's Haitian Student Association celebrate together during the International Graduates Ceremony. (Photo by: Rohan Beckford). 

Jamaican students gather for photos draped in stoles designed with their country's flag. (Photo by: Rohan Beckford)

Members of Howard's Afro-Latine student association, ¡Changó!, pose together before their performance to honor graduates at the International Graduation Ceremony. (Photo by: Rohan Beckford)

“The Caribbean student diaspora is extremely large on campus, and I don't feel like a lot of people acknowledge it all the time,” said graduating senior, Dizhan Brown from Kingston. Jamaica. “It's good to acknowledge the people that came here to get an education, just like everyone else, but with a little spice to it.” 

Speakers from across the Howard University community came in all forms to share words of congratulations to the graduates. President Ben Vinson III, Ph.D., prepared a speech in video format to express his excitement for the seniors and the necessity for their acknowledgement.  

Other speakers included AJ King, director of the office of Intercultural Affairs and LGBTQ+ Resource Center, Tonija Hope, Ph.D., the director of the Ralph J. Bunche Center, and Maram Mohammed, president of HU International Pals. HU IPALS is a membership organization on campus dedicated to the success of all international students. 

Tonija Hope, director of the Ralph J. Bunche International Affairs Center at Howard University, sent seniors off with a short speech to congratulate their next chapters after Howard University. Hope is also part of this graduation class, as she received her Ph.D. after defending her thesis “Black Internationalization: An Alternative Framework for Higher Education Internationalization” this April. (Photo by: Rohan Beckford)

¡Chango!, Howard University's Afro-Latine student association, perform the bachata and salsa to celebrate the departure of their graduating seniors. (Photo by: Rohan Beckford).

Maram Mohammed, president of HU International Pals, honors graduates with a farewell speech. (Photo by: Rohan Beckford)

Another cultural aspect of the event was a performance from ‘¡Chango!’, Howard’s Afro-Latine student association.  Members of the organization danced bachata and salsa for those in attendance.  

Although this event is the first of its kind on Howard’s campus, many expressed sentiments that it will not be the last.  

“What we hope will happen in the future is the opportunity to create spaces where we're able to get more funding for international students through our office for things like our international conference.” said Howard. “Things like that really open the space for international students to know they're appreciated at Howard and know that they have a space at Howard.” 

 

Howard's international student body enjoy refreshments served at the International Graduation Ceremony, where over 15 countries were represented through more than 30 graduates. (Photo by Rohan Beckford)

Howard's international student body enjoy refreshments served at the International Graduation Ceremony, where over 15 countries were represented through more than 30 graduates. (Photo by Rohan Beckford).

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