Samuel E. Kelly Ethnic Cultural Center

29th Annual Black Graduation Celebration & Kente Ceremony

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The Graduation Celebration Committee and ASUW Black Student Commission along with its partners is proud to announce the 29th Annual Black Graduation Celebration. The event honors the accomplishments of African, African American and Afro-Caribbean graduating students and peers.


2025 Black Graduation Celebration and Kente Ceremony
Sunday June 8, 2025
7:00PM – 9:30PM


Registration

Register here
Deadline: May 9, 2025

Theme: Our Time, Our Triumph, Our Future

Location: Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion, UW (3870 Montlake Blvd NE, Seattle, WA 98105)

Note: Registering for the Black Graduation Celebration and Kente Ceremony does not register you for any other graduation celebration including the UW commencement ceremony, and vice versa.

About the Black Graduation Celebration

The Black Graduation Celebration and Kente Ceremony is a pre-commencement celebration to honor African, African American and Afro-Caribbean students and their peers who through unyielding determination have successfully completed an undergraduate or graduate degree from the University of Washington. The Ceremony is representative of African, African American, and Afro-Caribbean culture and heritage, embraces the value of community and scholarship, and culminates with a Kente Stole presentation. This is a Celebration for Graduates to be recognized for their accomplishments and an opportunity to honor significant people who have helped them achieve their goal. Students are honored together in one setting and their families also get the opportunity to celebrate their hard work and dedication.
Participation in this year’s spring quarter UW Black Graduation Celebration is open to all UW Bothell, Seattle and Tacoma undergraduate, graduate and professional students who have earned their degree between the previous Autumn and Winter quarters, the current Spring quarter or are scheduled to earn their degree the Summer quarter immediately following this year’s ceremony.

The Kente Ceremony

Kente is native to Ghana and was developed in the 17th century by the Ashanti people. It has its roots in a long tradition of African weaving, dating back to about 3000 B.C. Often reserved for royalty, the stole is a visual representation of history, philosophy, ethics, oral literature, religious beliefs, social values and political thoughts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Special Thanks To

Office of Minority Affairs and Diversity

Samuel E. Kelly Ethnic Cultural Center

UW Multicultural Alumni Partnership

Student Life

Undergraduate Academic Affairs

Health Sciences Center Minority Students Program

Housing and Food Services

Intercollegiate Athletics

Q Center

College of Education