Black Grad
The 50th annual Black Grad Ceremony
will be hosted at 3pm on Saturday, June 7th, 2025
in the Quarry Amphitheater.
Black Grad is open to all, registration is required for participation.
Students must register by May 2nd to recieve a Kente Stole.
The History of Black Grad
For decades, the African American Resource and Cultural Center has been hosting the annual Black Grad ceremony. Each year we come together to celebrate and honor our graduating seniors on their amazing accomplishments.
Black Grad is the AARCC's largest event of the year drawing in more than 800 students and their loved ones. During the ceremony there are lively performances, powerful keynote speakers, and the graduates are given a chance to say a few words upon receiving their Kente stole.
The Kente cloth is deeply rooted in Ghanaian culture and has become a symbol of pride for descendants of the African Diaspora. The donning of these stoles continue to acknowledge the amazing accomplishments and achievements made possible through their hard work, as well as the love, support, and contributions given to them by their family and ancestors. For questions, please email AARCC's Director, autumn@ucsc.edu.
Black Grad is open to all UCSC students and their guests, consistent with state and federal law, the UC Nondiscrimination Statement and the Nondiscrimination Policy Statement for University of California Publications Regarding Student-Related Matters.
