Two male students pose back to back at Black Grad

San Bernardino Valley College celebrated its first Black Grad ceremony as a Black-Serving Institution on May 8. 

Organized by the San Bernardino Community College District Black Faculty & Staff Association, the event has been held for 46 years and honors Black graduates from SBVC and Crafton Hills College. 

The ceremony recognizes the "accomplishments of the student demographic that has historically been the lowest performing and least likely to complete,” said EOPS/CARE Counselor Keenan Giles. “The gathering is of cultural importance and significance because of its symbolism of Black Excellence, and serves as a family-oriented, informal show of communal support for our graduates. We are intentionally celebrating and honoring what it means to be Black in higher education." 

This year, about 75 graduates from both campuses attended Black Grad, along with more than 200 family and community members, SBVC President Gilbert J. Contreras, and SBCCD Chancellor Diana Z. Rodriguez, who both shared words of support for the students.