At Affinity Graduations, students can celebrate ‘in community with others on a shared experience’

Affinity Graduations

May 19, 2022 – As part of Harvard University’s week of 2022 graduation events, students will get the chance to mark their achievements while celebrating their own cultural traditions and values at University-wide Affinity Graduation Ceremonies.

The student-led, staff-supported ceremonies serve to create a space for identity groups that have been historically marginalized and unrepresented to celebrate with similarly identifying students and incorporate cultural traditions into their graduation celebrations. Each celebration will feature keynote speakers and performances, and each graduate will receive a stole created for their affinity group.

Amarildo “Lilu” Barbosa, chief diversity, inclusion, and belonging officer at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, called the ceremonies “a special opportunity to reflect on, celebrate, and be in community with others on a shared experience and journey completed.”

Kim Turner, MPH ’22, said that she’s participating in the Black Affinity Graduation Ceremony to “celebrate fully with friends who share similar lived experiences. … Simply, I look forward to the laughter and excitement of the day.”

This year’s affinity graduation ceremonies include:

AAPI/APIDA Graduation – May 23, 7–9 pm at Tercentenary Theater

University-wide Black Graduation Ceremony – May 24, 3:30–5:30 pm at Sanders Theatre

University-wide Latinx Graduation Ceremony – May 24, 7– 9 pm at Sanders Theatre

University-wide Lavender Graduation (LGBTQ+) – May 24, 1–3 pm at Harvard Divinity School

University-wide Next Gen (FGLI+) – May 24, 9:30– 11:30 am at Harvard Memorial Church

Native American and Indigenous Graduation (Led by Harvard University Native American Program, or HUNAP) – Thursday, May 26, 4–5 pm, Sheraton Commander Hotel

Grace Headrick

photo: Harvard University