Barack and Michelle Obama are among the panel of speakers who will deliver a virtual commencement address in early June as part of a virtual graduation ceremony.
The 44th President announced the plan in a Tuesday tweet, “I’ve always loved joining commencements––the culmination of years of hard work and sacrifice. Even if we can’t get together in person this year, Michelle and I are excited to celebrate the nationwide Class of 2020 and recognize this milestone with you and your loved ones.”
I’ve always loved joining commencements––the culmination of years of hard work and sacrifice. Even if we can’t get together in person this year, Michelle and I are excited to celebrate the nationwide Class of 2020 and recognize this milestone with you and your loved ones. pic.twitter.com/ngR2ykx3A2
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) May 5, 2020
And First Lady Michelle Obama tweeted minutes later, “I know how hard the #Classof2020 has worked to make it to graduation, so Barack Obama and I want to give you the celebration you deserve. That’s why Reach Higher and I are teaming up with YouTube to host a virtual graduation on June 6!”
I know how hard the #Classof2020 has worked to make it to graduation, so @BarackObama and I want to give you the celebration you deserve. That's why @ReachHigher and I are teaming up with @Youtube to host a virtual graduation on June 6! RSVP at https://t.co/TPcaSy43B8. pic.twitter.com/glLadzlZux
— Michelle Obama (@MichelleObama) May 5, 2020
Reach Higher, the organization that Michelle Obama mentioned in her tweet, is the education group that she founded when she was in the White House.
Barack Obama also linked to a page for a commencement on May 16 — that event is put on by the LeBron James Family Foundation and the Entertainment Industry Foundation.
James wrote on Twitter, “Class of 2020, I told you guys we are working on something special and we have an incredible update…THE GOAT [Barack Obama]!!! You all worked so hard the past four years and deserve the best commencement we can bring to you and your family.”
Class of 2020, I told you guys we are working on something special and we have an incredible update…THE GOAT @BarackObama!!! You all worked so hard the past four years and deserve the best commencement we can bring to you and your family. 🙏🏾 May 16🔥🔥🔥 @GradTogether pic.twitter.com/kQeX6sK9Ml
— LeBron James (@KingJames) May 5, 2020
The Obamas will be among a number of stars delivering commencement addresses — also on the list are K-Pop band BTS, Lady Gaga, Malala Yousafzai and Condoleezza Rice.
In mid-April, a Los Angeles teen posted a tweet that asked the Obamas to deliver a virtual commencement address and it went viral and the youth gave an interview to CNN.
At that time, a spokeswoman for the Obamas confirmed that the former first couple were aware of the request but did not offer any further comment.