But the incredibly bold and creative ways America’s high school and college graduates have found to celebrate are among the most inspirational moments to emerge from this challenging time.
High schools in Florida will hold a drive-through graduation at Daytona International Speedway, with graduates driving across the finish line to accept their diplomas and take a victory lap.
And President Obama obliged – not just for high schools, but colleges as well.
He was introduced for his high school commencement speech by Chicago Urban League Project Ready student Aniyah Fisher, who served as an intern at the Obama Foundation as a part of the Youth Job Corps Program and is headed to the University of Michigan in the fall.
I had the honor last week of addressing the 2020 graduates of the nation’s historically Black colleges and universities, along with President Obama, actor Kevin Hart, NBA stars and Vince Carter, and choreographer and National Urban League honoree Debbie Allen.