Barack Obama took to his verified Twitter account (@BarackObama) to express his fondness for joining commencements that mark the conclusion of years of hard work, coupled with multiple sacrifices. He also revealed the dates of the speeches in his tweet.
Despite the nation-world lockdown that restricts everyone from getting together in person, the 44th president said this year, he and his wife, Michelle, will be celebrating the Class of 2020. Barack and Michelle are excited to recognize this important milestone along with the students, their loved ones, and their family members.
The Obamas were requested multiple times to digitally address graduating students. 17-year-old Lincoln Debenham who is a graduating senior from Eagle Rock High School in Los Angeles urged Obama to deliver a national commencement address virtually as schools continue to cancel their ceremonies in a bid to restrict the spread of coronavirus, CNN Politics reported.
The pair finally announced they'd be addressing graduating students virtually. Keeping in line with that, several organizations have roped in notable speakers such as former secretary of State Hillary Clinton to grace the commencement programming.
The former president and first lady are slated to deliver individual addresses as well as a combined message to students at 3 p.m. ET on June 6. The beloved pair would be delivering speeches as part of YouTube's Dear Class of 2020 celebration. A myriad of other equally-popular contributors to the program, according to a release from the Obamas include former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, former Defense Secretary Bob Gates, and Malala Yousafzai.
On May 16, the former president will attend an XQ Institute hosted program dubbed Graduate Together: America Honors the High School Class of 2020. The aforesaid program will also be hosted by The Entertainment Industry Foundation and The LeBron James Family Foundation.
Barack Obama's 8 p.m. ET address will be attended by seniors from Chicago Public Schools, the Obama Youth Jobs Corps member, and other high school students. At this event, Obama will address the high school class of 2020 via a speech.
An insider with knowledge of the planning told CNN's Brian Stelter that CNN would be carrying the event along with other carriers. Aside from that, Obama will deliver a message for graduates and families from 74 historically black universities and colleges as part of the Show Me Your Walk, HBCU Edition program, which is presented by Chase in collaboration with JPMorgan Chase's Advancing Black Pathways Initiative, Howard University, Paul Quinn College, the National Basketball Association, the National Association for Equal Opportunity, the United Negro College Fund, and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund.