The multi-hour event will feature commencement speeches by musicians and thought leaders like Lady Gaga, BTS, former Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates, Alphabet and Google CEO Sundar Pichai, as well as former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
Also addressing self-isolating graduates will be activist Malala Yousafzai, Kelly Rowland, Alicia Keys, Zendaya, Chloe x Halle and Kerry Washington, as well as YouTube creators Jackie Aina, AsapSCIENCE, Dude Perfect, Mr. Kate and The Try Guys.
“Dear Class of 2020” will be headlined by former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama, who will each deliver individual commencement speeches as well as a joint message to graduating seniors.
“I’ve always loved joining commencements — the culmination of years of hard work and sacrifice. Even if we can’t get together in person this year, Michelle and I are excited to celebrate the nationwide Class of 2020 and recognise this milestone with you and your loved ones,” Obama said on Twitter.
Additionally, the former First Lady’s Higher Reach Initiative will host a full hour of special content to kick off the digital graduation ceremony.
“Graduation is a tradition that students and families look forward to and with the current state of the world, YouTube is lending some inspiration in the form of a virtual commencement,” Susanne Daniels, Global Head of Content for YouTube, said in a statement.
“We hope bringing together noteworthy, influential speakers along with performances from some of their favorite artists will provide encouragement for the students who have worked so hard to get here.”
While the full schedule of commencement events for “Dear Class Of 2020” will be available on the Learn@Home site beginning on May 17, the Obamas will celebrate graduating seniors in at least two additional events.
Barack Obama will participate on May 16 in “Show Me Your Walk, HBCU Edition,” an event for historically black colleges and universities.
Later that day, the former president will also deliver the main address at “Graduate Together: High School Class of 2020 Commencement. ”
The televised primetime special, organised by The LeBron James Family Foundation, will include appearances by LeBron James, Malala Yousafzai, the Jonas Brothers, Yara Shahidi, Bad Bunny, Lena Waithe, Pharrell Williams, Megan Rapinoe, H.E.R., Ben Platt, and others.
Meanwhile, Oprah Winfrey will also celebrate America’s graduating seniors on May 15 in the livestreaming event “#Graduation2020: Facebook and Instagram Celebrate the Class of 2020.”
Also included in the star-laden lineup are Miley Cyrus, Jennifer Garner, Lil Nas X, Awkwafina and Olympic champion gymnast Simone Biles, with Facebook announcing additional guests in coming days.