April 15, 2015

Black Graduation Planning Committee

c/o UW Office of Minority Affairs and Diversity
Box 352835
Seattle, WA 98195-2835
Dear Dr. Gwendolyn Freed,
On behalf of the planning committee, we are proud to announce the 19 th Annual Black
Graduation Ceremony which will take place on Friday June 12, 2015 at the University
Presbyterian Church, 4540 15th Avenue NE at 6:30 pm.
In 1997, a group of students at the University of Washington (UW) decided to host a postcommencement graduation ceremony in order to create a more intimate and personal
graduation experience. The group consisted of several students including the President of
the Black Student Union, President of Sisterhood, and the Black Student Commissioner. With
support from the Office of Minority Affairs & Diversity, the students hosted the first Black
Graduation on June 10, 1997, at Grace Apostolic Church in Columbia City. The ceremony
gave students the opportunity to recognize significant people who had helped them reach
their goal including faculty, staff, friends, community members, and family. The event was
deemed a success and has become an annual tradition.
Eighteen years later the tradition continues, as we honor students who through unyielding
determination have successfully completed an undergraduate or advanced degree from the
University of Washington. It reinforces the bonds of scholarship and extends the sense of
community. This inclusive ceremony is open to all graduating students, and is representative
of African and African American culture and culminates with a Kente Ceremony. The
colorful, striped Kente stole is native to Ghana and is used for special occasions, reflecting
history, philosophy, ethics, oral literature, religious beliefs, social values, and political
thought. This stole is given to every graduate as a gift and to commemorate the event.
In order to ensure the continuation of this annual tradition, we are seeking contributions to
help defray the costs associated with the event. Community members and organizations
have been integral partners in this tradition since its inception. Your help ensure that the
graduates are able to share this pivotal moment with their family and friends. Each year, the
number of graduates and the attendance grows. There are about 600 guests expected to
participate in 2015. Generous donors like you are the key to our success and make it
possible for us, as faculty and staff volunteers, to provide a memorable and gratis
experience for all who eagerly anticipate the ceremony each year.
We are asking for a monetary or in-kind donation of $500, however, any contribution would
be greatly appreciated and would be recognized in all event communication and materials.
We would welcome the opportunity to discuss a perspective donation with you in more
detail. Thank you in advance for your consideration and we look forward to hearing from
you. Please feel free to contact Trina Reid at reidt@uw.edu or at (206) 221-3241 with any
further questions or requests.
Sincerely,
Dennis Coy Denman
Leadership in Higher Education
M.Ed Candidate