U-M Dearborn's Black Celebratory honors students who've achieved so much

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22-05-2025

What's in a name?
In most cases, simply replying 'a lot' would suffice. But in the case of an annual event held at the University of Michigan-Dearborn, a name represents more than I could ever have known.
Since 2012, U-M Dearborn's annual Black Celebratory has been held on the last Thursday of April, a few days ahead of the university's commencement ceremony. This event is the highlight of my year, and as a U-M Dearborn alum, I've had the privilege to either host or co-host the Black Celebratory each year since its inception.
The Black Celebratory is unique and sacred, and it accomplishes three things: 1) Recognizes and celebrates the academic success of African American students, 2) Provides an opportunity for campus faculty, staff, family and friends to honor graduating seniors. 3) Serves as a reunion-like reminder that upholding black excellence is a collective responsibility.
Minutes after the program is over, especially in the early years, I'll often be asked by students' parents why I want to host or be part of this event every year. I smile, and tell them the simple answer: It's fun, and it's not about me, it's about the students.
As host or co-host, it's my job to read each student's name and accomplishments with enthusiasm ― and this comes easily and naturally to me, simply because of what each name represents.
Many students also add notes about their academic accomplishments, post-graduation plans, or details about their lives. The students each make their way down the illustrious red carpet, then onto the stage where they are greeted by a faculty member from the African and African American Studies department and given an authentic Kente stole, made in Ghana, that officially becomes part of their graduation attire.
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U-M Dearborn has the same high academic standards as the Ann Arbor campus, but it attracts a different student body. Students at U-M Dearborn may be making their families proud by being the first to graduate college. Others are nontraditional students who began their education, and then returned years later to finish and receive their degrees. Or they may be working professionals seeking degrees to advance career or personal goals.
As a commuter campus, it's a good fit for students who are juggling life and college. Many, if not all, of the graduates worked and went to school while maintaining academic scholarships, their standing on the dean's list and other academic honors, and participated in clubs or other campus groups. Some accomplished this in addition to being husbands, wives, mothers and fathers.
In the early years of the event, the students being recognized were primarily receiving undergraduate degrees. But, over the years, those receiving their master's and doctoral degrees have participated in the celebratory. I have had the honor to read their names, too, totaling well over 500 individuals since 2012.
Black excellence, indeed.
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But this year was extra special. There's the underlying current of diversity, equity and inclusion being challenged by the current presidential administration. In fact, in weeks prior to the Black Celebratory, the University of Michigan announced the closure of its DEI office, leaving students faculty, staff and alums, including myself, stunned. Monies absorbed within DEI efforts were shifted to the Go Blue Guarantee and the Wolverine Pathways program to help low-income students.
I was momentarily concerned about the effects this DEI decision might have on programming such as the Black Celebratory. But the university raised no objections to holding the Black Celebratory, and, as the saying goes, the show must go on.
Everyone involved with the event remains committed to celebrating the students who worked so hard to get to this moment. We decided to let the value of the celebratory speak for itself, woven, like Kente, in the words and speeches of students and guest speakers that night.
And I'd argue the 10-year anniversary of the unexpected passing of the professor who was the brainchild of this event could not have been timed more perfectly.
During this year's celebratory, the video of Dr. Ahmad Rahman, a professor of African and African American studies, was played. The video showed Rahman at the first-ever Black Celebratory in April 2012, giving a speech to explain the significance of Kente. He encouraged graduating seniors to 'remain tight' like Kente, and that all of us should 'lift as we climb.' Timely advice then, and certainly timely advice now.
The celebratory has proven its worth and importance on its own. All I literally must do each year is show up, ready to celebrate and honor the latest group of African American students to cross the stage at the University of Michigan-Dearborn.
I opened this year's celebratory with this African proverb: 'The river may dry up, but she keeps her name.'
Changing circumstances and challenges are inevitable, but a name and its meaning never change ― and that alone will always be worth celebrating.
Leah Olajide is the newsletter editor for the Detroit Free Press and a university lecturer. Submit a letter to the editor at freep.com/letters and we may publish it online and in print.
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: U-M Dearborn's Black Celebratory recognizes achievement | Opinion