LBCC’s Black Student Success Center, along with students and faculty, joined hands and gave praise during the cultural Black Grad Celebration, held on Tuesday at the Bob and Barbara Ellis Auditorium, acknowledging the Black students who will be graduating as the class of 2026.
This event is provided in addition to the larger college-wide commencement ceremony that will be held June 11 at 9:30 a.m..
At the ceremony, there was a performance from the Drummers of Compton and Divas of Compton that brought even more energy and life to the ceremony.
Angela Fowlkes, a coordinator in the Black Student Success Center said that with this ceremony, she and others who coordinated the event strive to celebrate Black students here at LBCC and their accomplishments.
LBCC student Jay Sowell receives his sash from LBCC counselor Chanae Wami at the Black Graduation Celebration in the building J Auditorium on June 2. (Alexandra Rios)
“It’s a part of the college’s initiatives, the student equity program department here celebrates the diversity in its scholars. The institution decided that we should celebrate the identity of the different cultures,” Fowlkes said.
The event aims to celebrate academic achievement and cultural heritage for Black graduates and their families.
A student in attendance was Sharon Jordan. She is majoring in Nutrition and Dietetics, and will go onto further her education at Cal Poly Pomona after graduating with the class of 2026.
Jordan said during her time here at LBCC, she has had a safe space on campus at the Black Student Success Center where she could study and do her homework as early as 7 a.m..
Uduak-Joe Ntuk, the Board of Trustees President alluded to this support in his speech.
“You had support and counselors that helped you reach your goal. Each and every one of you is gonna go on and do something great. You’re gonna live your dream. You’re gonna fulfill your destiny,” Ntuk said.
One of the graduates, Matthew Clayton, was a speaker at the event. Clayton is a father, a first-generation college graduate, and is a member of the Honor Society and Umoja Scholars.
He won the Jacaranda award recently for best persuasive essay. This award is given to students for “outstanding work in composition and Literature classes at LBCC.”
Clayton is among the other successful Black graduates here at LBCC and he strives for those around him to continue to push through and revolt.
LBCC student Matthew Clayton who is going to UCLA after graduation, speaks at Black Graduation Celebration in the building J Auditorium on June 2. (Alexandra Rios)
“Flight is the movement away from your physical position, the position that is silenced, the position that is set in class. The revolt is the movement of being witness, being heard and being lifted. Take a stand, make a statement,” Clayton said.
LBCC student Loretta Frierson recently completed her master’s degree and is a sociology major. Her life is shaped by migration, faith and service. She is one of the many examples where students have had their lives shaped by tragedy but still continued to show up for themselves.
“You are here today in spite of the difficulties that try to hijack your destiny. You are here in spite of the losses you have endured. The opposition you face, the moment you doubt yourself, and the obstacles that attempt to delay your purpose,” Frierson said.
Clayton will be transferring to UCLA and Frierson will be transferring to Cal State San Bernardino.
“Your cause was not a period, it was simply a comma, a moment to breathe. Regroup, recalibrate, grow and continue becoming who you were always meant to be,” Frierson said.
Besides the space to study, the Black Student Success Center holds events where students are exposed to speakers from other colleges and organizations, setting them up for success in the long run.
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