XQ Institute, The LeBron James Family Foundation, and The Entertainment Industry Foundation joined forces to pay tribute to high school seniors nationwide for Graduate Together: America Honors the High School Class of 2020 event on May 16. President Barack Obama delivered a commencement message during the historic televised special that also featured an impressive lineup of prominent leaders, educators, and entertainers, including President Barack Obama, LeBron James, Bad Bunny, Kevin Hart, Yara Shahidi, Lena Waithe, Pharrell Williams, Zendaya, and more.
The celebration featured specially curated performances from Grammy and Tony Award-winning artists to Billboard chart toppers. Dua Lipa opened the show with her song “Break My Heart.” Other highlights included Alicia Keys’ rendition of her song “Underdog”; and “Sometimes” by H.E.R. The show ended with an electric finale from the Jonas Brothers featuring KAROL G, singing “X.”
The commencement special honored the more than 3 million high school seniors across the nation whose final weeks of high school, including graduation ceremonies, were postponed or canceled due to COVID-19.
By Kinya Claiborne, STYLE & SOCIETY
Photo & Video Credit: EIF and XQ