Graduation caps have been thrown and gowns have been tucked away into college graduates’ closets now that graduation season has ended.

Graduates across the country beamed with pride as they walked across the stage, knowing term papers and late nights were behind them while their family and friends cheered them on– but these few graduates had commencement ceremonies to remember for a lifetime.

Jayda Sayles

Jayda Sayles graduated from Dillard University, but her special day came with another milestone; she graduated college and gave birth to her first child– A beautiful baby boy.

Sharing the news with her Twitter followers, Sayles posted a thread of four pictures of her son’s arrival and the maternity room that turned into a mini graduation ceremony, all thanks to Dillard Universities President Dr. Walter M Kimbrough.

“I thought I was gonna walk across the stage to get my degree; instead, I got my baby,” Sayles tweets.” My sweet face decided to make his way on MY big day (now his). Shoutout to my university for still bringing my graduation and degree to me. Ima college graduate & mommy, talk to me nice!,” Sayles tweeted after delivering her son.

Leroy Harley

Another special graduating moment is 71-year-old Leroy Harley, who graduated with a master’s in teaching from the University of South Carolina(USC). 

Harley’s decision to enroll in school came after years of relocating and returning to Bowman, South Carolina, to spend time with his mother. 

During their time together, Harley’s mother suggested he should inquire about working at the town’s school, so he followed his mother’s advice and applied to Bethune-Bowman Elementary School, where he was hired as a teacher’s aide before enrolling at USC.

“I immediately got interested in teaching. Like, I say, if it’s something new, I am going to try it and see where it takes me,” Harley said.

Harley has no plans of retiring anytime soon.

Dwight Johnson II and Taylor Brooks

A joyous moment for Dwight Johnson II and Taylor Brooks was graduating from medical school after getting married six days earlier in Texas.

Not only did this couple show off their rings that week, but it followed by showing off their Meharry Medical College degrees. Brooks graduated as a physician of psychiatry, while Dwight obtained his degree in obstetrics and gynecology.

Dwight’s celebration post on Twitter went viral, a side by side photos of the couple, one showing the pair on their wedding day and the second photo of them on their graduation day in cap and gowns.

“When you get married and graduate medschool the same week. This is what #BlackLove mixed with #BlackExcellence looks like. #MedTwitter #BlackTwitter #ToGodBeTheGlory,” Dwight tweeted.

Zindzi Thompson

A fellow Meharry Medical College student, Zindzi Thompson, 21, became the school’s youngest Black woman graduate.

Following behind a family of Meharry graduates before her, Thompson always had her eyes set on the white coat.

“I have always wanted to be a doctor for as long as I can remember,” Thompson said. “there’s nothing else that I wanted to be.”

With at least a dozen family members who have graduated from Meharry Medical College, making Thompson the latest and the youngest to be titled a doctor, Thompson is climbing to the top of her family’s legacy.

“It’s definitely a mountain,” Thompson said. “I’m so, so excited. Tomorrow, I’ll be called a doctor — Dr. Thompson.”

The Gully-Cole Family

The final outstanding graduating moment goes to a Mississippi family of three, The Gully-Cole graduates.

Tee graduates include father, Commondre Cole, 45, his son, Jacoby Cole, 25, and daughter Lesha Gully, 27.

All three graduated with their master’s degrees in education together from MSU-Meridian.

Being an educator herself, Jessica Gully-Cole, wife and mother to the graduates, is the inspiration behind the decision to further their passion for education and obtain master’s degrees.

Jiles and Trinity Jiles

A Mother and daughter from Monroe, Louisiana, Suzzon Jiles and Trinity Jiles graduated from Grambling State University together.

The two graduated with bachelor’s degrees in child development and biology.

“Grambling State has changed my life,” Suzzon said. “I’m now educated and soon to be degreed! I have enjoyed every connection I have made here, finding friends for a lifetime and a plethora of knowledge about early childhood education. I’m very much grateful for that.”

“I was inspired to become a child care worker/owner after being number two of 10 siblings. I helped my mom raise my younger siblings and loved teaching them as well. So, I’ve kind of been doing it most of my life,” she added of her child development degree.

LaDyra Lyte

LaDyra Lyte received a surprise she could never forget. As Lyte walked at her Central Michigan University’s commencement ceremony, the school’s president read a letter out loud sent by her brother, LaDaryl Lyte, who was deployed for almost a year with the U.S. Army Reserve.

LaDaryl shared he needed to attend his sister’s college graduation because he previously had missed her high school graduation due to work training requirements.

LaDaryl was able to surprise his sister with the help of the institution. Rather than give LaDaryl tickets, the university suggested he make a surprise entrance without LaDrya knowing.

“They had me show up to the graduation two hours early so they could hide me upstairs so my family wouldn’t see me,” LaDaryl said. “The night before, I couldn’t even sleep because I was nervous.”

LaDyra was super emotional when she recognized that her brother was in the building.

Jacob Philadelphia

A full-circle moment for Jacob Philadelphia happened during his graduation season. Barack Obama took some time to reconnect with Philadelphia, the young man who is now graduating from high school years after being featured in an iconic photo with the former president.

At 5-years-old, Philadelphia went to the Oval Office to meet Obama with one question in mind– he had the same hair as the president.

Allowing the boy to touch his hair and conduct his hypothesis, Obama bent down. 

Obama and Philadelphia met again recently in honor of the young man’s high school graduation.

“Do you remember me?” Obama said as the two chatted via a video chat.

Philadelphia, of course, said he had vivid memories of Obama and the historic day.

“I remember you telling me that your hair was gonna be gray next time,” Philadelphia told Obama during the video call.

 

These graduates worked hard and achieved the unthinkable based on the hands they were dealt. Congratulations to them all.

black college graduatesBlavity-UBlavity-U-Newscollege graduatesCollege Graduation