How YouTube’s Virtual Commencement Ceremony Started A New Era

“Dear Class of 2020” is a meaningful and welcome social innovation project — much needed during Covid-19 times.

Unfortunately, our graduates this year cannot attend graduation ceremonies due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

We are all locked up in our houses due to Covid-19 lockdown measures.

We are also experiencing a global economic crisis at a scale that we have not ever witnessed before.

That is why our students and graduates need a lot of support and encouragement during these hard times.

Many universities resorted to virtual commencement ceremonies this year, and you can check them out here.

YouTube has organized a virtual event “Dear Class of 2020” commencement ceremony that has taken place on 7th June 2020 (the ceremony was pushed back a day to honor George Floyd’s memorial service).

Former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama have made inspiring speeches. This was the first time both the former President and First Lady appeared on the same “stage” for commencement speeches.

Other official commencement speakers included BTS, Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai, and Malala Yousafzai.

Here are all guest appearances:

Guest Appearances

J.J. Abrams ● Ray Allen ● La La Anthony ● Jack Black ● Ian Book ● Tom Brady ● Erika Brown ● Jenna Bush Hager ● Andy Cohen ● Stephen Colbert ● Lana Condor ● Cindy Crawford & Kaia Gerber ● Joseph Gordon Levitt ● DJ D-Nice ● Snoop Dogg & Martha Stewart ● Billie Eilish ● Missy Elliott ● Bill & Melinda Gates ● Evan Goldberg ● Jake Gyllenhaal ● Mark Hamill ● Tom Hanks & Rita Wilson ● Michael B. Jordan ● Colin Jost ● Rupi Kaur ● Courtney Kemp ● Keegan Michael Key ● Alicia Keys ● Jimmy Kimmel ● Jennifer Lopez ● Demi Lovato ● Peyton Manning ● Camila Mendes ● Shawn Mendes ● Hasan Minhaj ● Natalie Morales ● John Mulaney ● Katelyn Ohashi ● Chris Pine ● Antoni Porowski ● Billy Porter ● Seth Rogen ● Phoebe Robinson ● Michael Strahan ● Taylor Swift ● Daisy Ridley ● Justin Timberlake ● Gabrielle Union & Dwyane Wade ● Kerry Washington ● Russell Westbrook ● Russell Wilson & Ciara ● Cast of HBO’s “Euphoria”: Angus Cloud, Jacob Elordi, Barbie Ferreira, Storm Reid, Zendaya ● Cast of “Schitt’s Creek”: Eugene Levy, Catherine O’Hara, Dan Levy, Annie Murphy, Jenn Robertson, Emily Hampshire, Noah Reid, Karen Robinson, Sarah Levy, Rizwan Manji ● Cast of “The Simpsons”

YouTube Creators

Jackie Aina ● AsapSCIENCE ● Jade Bowler ● Emma Chamberlain ● Nikkie De Jager ● Dude Perfect ● John Green ● Zane Hijazi & Heath Hussar ● Mr. Kate ● a Khan ● Prajakta Koli ● Liza Koshy ● Margot Lee ● Vanessa & Veronica Merrell ● Sasha Morga ● Mark Rober ● The Try Guys

Do yourself a small favor and join this virtual commencement ceremony

We have all been going through challenging times and it is natural that we feel disoriented and lost.

Therefore, it will help and support you (emotionally, mentally, and spiritually) if you watch this event and join the global community congratulating our graduates this year.

Even if you are busy, consider listening or tuning to it while you are working.

It is a rather inspirational event with world-class performances, fascinating speeches, and heart-warming moments.

It also captures the zeitgeist of our crazy times:

We can still celebrate creativity, talent, and hard work — even if we are in the midst of a pandemic.

We can support and inspire each other — even if we are physically apart from each other.

We can still tap into our global consciousness and learn from each other even during the times we feel depressed or desperate.

We can still work hard towards our passions and dreams even if we are faced with enormous difficulties.

Cheers to all who graduate!

Kudos to YouTube for organizing this event symbolizing the culmination of a global community inspiring and supporting each other.

Below is the full event replay:

Enjoy!

Dear Class of 2020: A Virtual Commencement Ceremony

Sincerely;

Fahri

Fahri Karakas is the author of Self-making Studio.

You can explore more here.