Washington — Graduates of historically black colleges and universities across the country are receiving well-wishes through video greetings from their distinguished fellow alumnus, Vice President Kamala Harris.
“As a proud HBCU graduate, I know firsthand the value of attending an institution like yours.” The vice-chancellor spoke in a congratulatory video that has already received shock and applause at the graduation ceremony.
The surprise video, which debuted at several HBCU graduation ceremonies last week, will appear at about half of all HBCUs in the U.S., according to the White House.
“You leave here learning that you can do anything and be anything. And you have an obligation to be great. Working to improve the condition of all people. And we will fight to protect our most basic rights and freedoms.” Harris said in his pre-recorded message:
Harris is the first HBCU graduate to be elected vice president, and since her time in national politics she has enjoyed the support of the tight-knit community surrounding many of the historic schools. Last year, she included HBCUs in a national tour aimed at gathering young voters “to fight for basic freedoms and rights.”
“We were so happy to receive the message,” said Alabama State University President Quinton Ross, who aired the video at graduation ceremonies earlier this month. “Everyone was excited when her face came up on the screen and delivered that message.”
The Biden administration has allocated a record $7 billion in funding to HBCUs, an investment the Biden campaign has emphasized in its outreach to Black voters.
Harris’ message to graduates comes as the White House faces fierce criticism and protests on many college campuses from young voters over its handling of the Israel-Hamas war. Students are also dissatisfied with the state of education in the country, as many universities face increased scrutiny of their DEI programs from conservative activists and lawmakers and the fallout from the Supreme Court ruling that ended affirmative action.
But Harris’s commencement message does not address these important issues. Instead, she left a note congratulating her students on their academic achievements.
“We need your voices and we need your leadership,” Harris said in the video. In our schools, hospitals, and courtrooms, as technology founders, entrepreneurs, engineers, scientists, and leaders at the highest levels of government. Please continue to work to build a brighter future for our country and the world. And you are ready.”
Dietra Trent, executive director of the White House Initiative on HBCUs, said the vice president is sending the right message. “Especially in an environment where the country as a whole is rolling back some of the gains that people of color have made, especially African Americans.”
Trent cited restrictions on teaching African-American history and strict election laws enacted in some states as examples of policies that negatively impact black people.
The White House has received many requests since the beginning of the year for Harris to speak in person at HBCU graduation ceremonies, Trent said.
“This is a Corona class. These are students who entered college in 2020. So this class of 2024 is a really special class because, frankly, many of us have faced obstacles that many of us have never had to face when it comes to education,” said Rep. Jasmine Crockett, a Democrat. She has been a leader in outreach to HBCUs and young voters of color.
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Matt Brown is a member of the AP Race and Ethnicity team. Follow him on social media.
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