It’s been a little over a month since crossed the stage and became a Morehouse Man. Cloaked in all my regalia. Stoles, cords, academic hood, dressed to the 10’s, in school colors no less, and a smile that could light even the darkest room. The energy and atmosphere on that Sunday morning, May 21, 2023, was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced in my life. I don’t know how other institutions, or HBCU’s conduct their commencement ceremonies and weekends, but what I do know is there is NOTHING like a Morehouse commencement.

For one, starting that Sunday morning was a big ass challenge, LOL! I was cross-faded, drunk, and high. That had its own share of obstacles, especially when I didn’t lay down and close my eyes until 2 something in the morning, and I had to be up at 4:45am. Yet, I plied my ass out that bed, nothing was going to stop me from living in this moment and giving my momma her moment to glow and receive all the praise she deserved from having her only child, a Black man no less, achieve something is rare in our community. Being a Black man graduating college, statistics say I have a better probability of being in jail than being a college graduate, which is an accomplishment that needed to happen. Enough pretending to be a Morehouse Man, time to step into those shoes and fly to the moon.

Second, having to be on campus by 6:30am was whew! Just so early, but again I was going to do what needed to be done. Yet once we were instructed to line up to begin our final march on campus as students, the energy and the atmosphere shot thru the roof. Everyone woke up and once we got outside, as the sun was rising over the buildings, the buzz began to grow. The alumni arrived, parents, family, and friends were showing up in numbers. The faculty and administration had gathered at the top of the hill at our student center, waiting for us to take the Tiger walk down to the Century Campus, to take our rightful place in Morehouse College history. My body was immediately infused with this energy that was dynamic. It was too positively powerful to let tears fall, I just couldn’t stop smiling. 17 years in the making, and the day had finally arrived. The moment was upon us, and it was being recorded for the world to see.

That walk I’ve taken thousands of times over the years of being on campus, but it never felt as symbolic, important, and monumental as right then at approximately 8:30am. With alumni lining the street on both sides of us as we started our walk to history. They were so lively and energetic. Clapping, smiling, recording, high fiving, congratulating and basking in the glow of another round of intelligent, dynamic, Morehouse Men ready to take this world and lead it from whatever perch we happen to land upon. Cheers, applause, hugs, shouts, handshakes, and endless banter filled the walk, space, and time as we took the slow, but continuous march to the big show. The commencement master of ceremonies talking about the attributes of our class. Priming the families and friends of the 407 graduates of the class of 2023. And once we reached the top of the hill, my God it was a sight I never saw in person. Thousands and thousands of Black folk losing their minds as we entered the arena. Mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, grandmothers, grandfathers, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends all on their feet euphoric as their loved ones marched into their destiny.

As I couldn’t do that day, but I’m doing as I write this and my mind takes me back to that fateful morning, tears are streaming down my face right now as I just think and appreciate how special that day was. In fact, that whole weekend was. As is typical of Morehouse College, we never have typical anything. So, we filled that weekend with special events and moments that allowed students and parents to being the process of preparation for that special day. Ceremonies that welcomed us into the alumni ranks, ceremonies that let us pay homage to our parents/guardians that were instrumental in helping to get us to this time. In each event, my mom allowed herself to be present and her emotions overwhelmed her as she just shined and beamed with so much pride and joy in me, her son, and my accomplishments.

I will never, ever forget that day. The emotions and pride I felt within myself. The beauty, pageantry, majesty, power, and magic of seeing hundreds of supremely talented Black men in one place, being honored and praised for our excellence. I hope that everyone is able to experience something like this in their lifetimes. You deserve to have your emotions and feelings pushed to this magnitude. The question becomes what I do with this achievement and how do I build upon it to take me to a higher level. Those plans are being crafted as we speak.

Thank you, momma, for always believing in me and loving me through my challenges. Thank you, Grams, for believing in me and pushing me to come back and finish what I started. Even though you aren’t present physically with us anymore, the way everything went off perfectly that weekend, you were clearly here with me in spirit. I am eternally grateful to everyone who pushed for me, who encouraged me, who loved on me, who understood my lack of availability while I finished this part of my journey. I fuckin’ did it!!!! Morehouse College c/o 2023!!!