Twirls, chants and embraces filled the Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center Wednesday evening as Kent State University celebrated its multicultural graduates at the annual Karamu Ya Wahitimu/Celebración De Los Graduados ceremony.

The pre-commencement celebration, hosted by the E. Timothy Moore Student Multicultural Center, recognized graduating African American, Native American, Latino, Hispanic and Multiracial undergraduate and graduate students.

Together, the ceremony’s full title – Karamu Ya Wahitimu/Celebración De Los Graduados – ties in African and Latino heritage, reflecting the diverse backgrounds it was created to honor. 

The event has become an annual rite of passage at Kent State, offering multicultural students a space to be celebrated in their own way before crossing the stage at general commencement.

Bestowed upon each graduate was a cultural stole as they were called on stage. For many, the moment of receiving that stole carried a weight that went far beyond the fabric itself.

“It represents overcoming obstacles and the different challenges that I faced,” said Ronshai Jones, a communications graduate. “My ancestors faced obstacles and challenges that mine nowhere near measure up to, but it’s just one small step and one victory that everyone could be proud of.”

Jones said the nerves he anticipated never quite arrived the way he expected – largely because those waiting on stage were people he already knew.

“I was nervous to walk the stage before I actually did it,” he said. “It was a lot less nerve-wracking when I did it because there were a lot of familiar faces up there handing us the stoles.”

Jones put it plainly what he wanted people outside the ceremony to understand.

“It’s a celebration for those whose voices may not always be heard or always accounted for,” he said. “Nothing more than that – just a celebration.”

For Cepeda Woods, a 32-year-old integrative studies graduate with a minor in sustainability and marketing, the ceremony carried particular significance. 

Woods said the moment she walked across the stage caught her off guard emotionally.

“I thought I was gonna be super excited and prepared for it,” she said. “As soon as it came, I was like – this is reality. This is happening.”

As a first-generation college student, being surrounded by her community and seen by them made the night especially meaningful, and when she received her stole, her family came to mind immediately.

“I wanted to be a role model for my younger sisters,” she said. “They could do it too.”

Jared Jenkins, a 2020 nursing graduate who attended in support of Cepeda, described the event simply.

“Karamu is a way to celebrate our generation and people of color,” Jenkins said, “giving them not only just a regular graduation, but a graduation where they’re surrounded by people that are like them.”

Cesquinn Curtis, associate vice president for student life, delivered the keynote address, urging graduates to carry their cultural identity as a source of utmost pride.

“Tonight, every single one of you – you are the ones who broke cycles, the ones who made your family proud, the ones who turned maybe into made it,” Curtis said.

Curtis challenged graduates to resist the pressure to play small once they leave Kent State, reminding them that with everything they have been given, much would be required of them in return.

Curtis closed by reminding graduates that the so-called Golden Experience does not end at commencement – it begins there.

“You are not just graduating from Kent State University,” he said. “You are leaders. You are culture carriers, you are change agents. So go out and conquer, build boldly, lead unapologetically, love deeply, never forget where you came from – because the world is waiting for you to arrive.”

Brendan Walsh is a reporter. Contact him at [email protected].