Black Graduation Celebration

Who is eligible for this celebration?

Any UW Seattle campus student (undergraduate or graduate/doctoral candidate) completing a degree in Spring 2025, Summer 2025 or Fall 2025 may participate. All are welcome to attend.

How do I register for this event?

Graduate names are collected from UW and an email is sent out. If you have not gotten an email and are a graduating student, email uwblackg@uw.edu.

Where do I get the stole?

You must be registered for and attend the event to receive a stole. Graduates will be gifted a stole at the event in person, that will be presented to them by people chose. Up to 2 people maximum can come on stage to present a stole to a graduate.

If I cannot attend the celebration, or want it in advance, can I get a stole?

No, stoles are only given out in person at the celebration as a gift to graduates for participating in the celebration, not as a graduation gift.

What if I did not register? Can I still participate?

We do accept walk-in registration but your name will not appear in the program and we may not have a Kente stole or gift for you. Email uwblackg@uw.edu for details.

Can I update my registration information?

You can update your registration up until a certain date for it to show in the program correctly and get a stole. That date is usually when registration closes.

Is this a ticketed event?

No. This year’s event will not be ticketed. It will be live streamed on YouTube. See the home page for details.

How do I enter the venue?

Graduates will enter the venue through the loading dock to the back of the stadium. Due to construction this year, graduates will need to walk around the entire building, towards the IMA (follow red dashes to orange square on image).
Guests will enter through 2 of the north entrance doors (purple squares on image).

Where do I park?

The UW Black Grad Celebration Committee does not manage or control parking for the Black Graduation Celebration. Please read the information on this website for more details.

Parking is available on the UW Campus and will require you to walk to the ceremony venue. Please note that there may be parking fees. More parking information from UW transportation can be found here, or via the UW Commencement office website here. 

Closest Parking Location:

• There are other lots available on campus but are farther away. Please see UW Parking website.
• Street parking is available but will take longer to find and may require a cost.

Can I bring a bag into the celebration?

UW Athletics has a clear bag policy. Read more on their website.

What is the dress code for the event?

Graduates are strongly encouraged to wear their graduation regalia (cap/gown) and or cultural attire. Please email the committee if you have any issues with this uwblackg@uw.edu.

What are the details for graduates for the day of the celebration?

Graduates should have been sent a final email with details a few days prior to the event.

How do I contact the Black Graduation Celebration Planning Committee with any questions?

You can contact us via email at: uwblackg@uw.edu. Please allow 48-72 hours for a response.

How can I donate to the Black Graduation Celebration?

You can use the link below. Click the ADD button next to ‘Office Minority Affairs and Diversity Kente Ceremony Fund.’ Then you can select to give once or monthly and how much to give. Then select ‘Add to Basket’ and then select ‘Give Now.’

What if I need accommodations?

The University of Washington is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation in our services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodations, please contact the Disability Services Office at least 10 days in advance of the appointment at (206) 543-6450 (voice), (206) 543-6452 (TTY), (206) 685-7264 (FAX), or dso@uw.edu (email).

For interpreting, captioning, amplification services, and TTYs, contact the Coordinator of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services at 206-543-1415 (voice), 206-543-6452 (TTY), or dhhreq@uw.edu.

What is the history of the Black Graduation Celebration?

In 1997, a group of Black students at the UW decided to host a post-commencement graduation ceremony in order to create a more intimate and personal graduation experience. The group consisted of several students including the President of the Black Student Union, President of Sisterhood, and the Black Student Commissioner. With support from the Office of Minority Affairs & Diversity, the students hosted the first Black Graduation Celebration on June 10, 1997, at Grace Apostolic Temple in Columbia City. The ceremony gave students the opportunity to recognize significant people who had helped them reach their goal including faculty, staff, friends and family. The event was deemed a success and has become an annual tradition. To learn more about the first Black Graduation Celebration read Walking to Black Graduation a 1997 UW Daily newspaper article interviewing several 1997 graduates and the reason that they felt a Black Graduation Celebration was necessary.

Today, the tradition of the Black Graduation Celebration continues as a pre-commencement celebration open to all students and acknowledges graduates, who through unyielding determination, have successfully completed an undergraduate or post baccalaureate degree at the UW. The event recognizes their accomplishments and provides an opportunity for graduates to honor those who have helped them achieve their milestone. Graduates are honored together in one setting, as their families celebrate their hard work and dedication. This celebration reinforces the bonds of scholarship and extends the sense of community. It honors African and African American heritage and culture, which culminates with a Kente Ceremony where traditional stoles are presented to the graduates.

Who plans the Black Graduation Celebration?

The UW Black Graduation Celebration Planning Committee is comprised of students, faculty and staff who are charged by ASUW Black Student Commission with the planning and coordination of this annual event. This effort is done in collaboration with the following student organizations:

• ASUW Black Student Commission
• African Student Association
• A Vision for Engineering Literacy & Access (AVELA)
• Black Graduate Student Association (BGSA)
• Black Student Union
• National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE)