Harvard held its inaugural First-Gen/Next Gen Graduation Ceremony on May 23, a special commencement celebration honoring the achievements of graduating students across the University who are first generation, low income, undocumented, DACA or TPS recipients, or mixed-status.
Attended by more than 100 graduating students, the ceremony was jointly hosted by the Office for Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging and the Next Gen Initiative, which aims to improve existing resources for FGLI students across Harvardâs 12 schools.
Amanda K. Sharick, project lead for the Next-Gen Initiative, said that while students value Harvardâs general commencement, there is âsomething moreâ to a commencement celebration around the shared identity of being FGLI.
Levi Briggs photography
Dominique Stevenson is a very visible Twin City activist who uses his music to spread a message of unity and encouragement. He was on the front lines of social justice marches last summer and even founded the youth-based advocacy group Next Gen Initiative.
But the hip-hop artist known as V8 Vast Change says this time, his new album Life is as much a pick-me-up for himself as it is encouragement to others. You can hear he’s at a crossroads, but doesn’t quite know how to move forward.
The album opens with the song “Passion.”
Sick of sleeping on my mama’s couch and ready to move out