On June 6, 2024, graduating seniors of the Black Student Union (BSU) walked the red carpet into the playhouse, surrounded by cheering friends and family , as “Lift Every Voice” by Michael Cooper filled the air with melodious sound.
For the first time since 2022, BSU was able to hold their annual stole ceremony for graduating seniors. Wildfires had affected the ceremony’s delivery last year, explained advisors Ms. Jennifer Jackson-Escogido and Ms. Tyler Barnes, who hosted the ceremony.
“It is our first stole ceremony as advisors,” said Ms. Barnes.
The stole ceremony is an annual event at BSU when graduating seniors receive a stole in honor of their graduation and participation at BSU. The ceremony also honors the seniors’ accomplishments, reflects on BSU’s successes, and recognizes the clubs’ plans for the future
Ms. Latoya Edwards, president of the African American Parent Support group (AAPSG) that supports BSU events, spoke on the event’s importance.
“You guys are a legacy,” said Ms. Edwards, addressing the seniors in her speech. “You guys are graduating on Juneteenth, and you guys are our ancestors’ legacies for the future.”
After the speeches, seniors were called up to receive their stoles. Each stole, or kente cloth, is composed of alternating patterns and fabric adorned with the colors of yellow, red, green, black, and gold. The color yellow represents all things holy and precious, red represents strong spiritual and political feelings, green represents growth and health, black represents strong spiritual energy, and golden represents the soul of Africans.
“The stoles are a symbol of our rich history, resilience, unbreakable spirit, unity, and perseverance,” said BSU secretary Saraiah Hoover(‘25) in her speech about the importance of stoles. “It is a reminder that you are connected to determined people who believed in you and who share your honorary heritage.”
