Dr. Daniel Black thought the 2024 graduating class at Clark Atlanta University would have preferred a celebrity for the commencement speaker. What students got was an inspiriting and energetic message from the professor of African American studies.
Dr. Daniel Black thought the 2024 graduating class at Clark Atlanta University would have preferred a celebrity for the commencement speaker. What students got was an inspiriting and energetic message from the professor of African American studies. Black’s speech was so well received, it went viral. He recently joined GPB’s Pamela Kirkland to talk about the speech and the lasting impact he hopes it will have.
TRANSCRIPT:
Pamela Kirkland: It’s Morning Edition. During graduation season, we often see celebrities and politicians give advice to graduates before they embark on their post-college careers. But one address this year inspired more than just the students who were listening. In fact, some are calling this speech the best HBCU commencement address ever.
Daniel Black (speaking at commencement): This the home of the Holy Ghost, the last and the foremost. The East and the West Coast. God’s mighty guidepost. The potatoes and the rump roast. The coffee and the black toast. If you need heaven in your view, you gotta get yourself to C-A-U..
Pamela Kirkland: That was Dr. Daniel Black. He’s an associate professor of African American studies at Clark Atlanta University. And Dr. Black joins me now. Welcome to Morning Edition.
Daniel Black: Thank you very much. I appreciate being here.
Pamela Kirkland: So, I have to start by asking you, were you expecting this kind of reaction to your speech?
Daniel Black: Absolutely not. You know, the truth of the matter is I was just hoping it would work. I was hoping that it would be well-received. And I was prepared to sit down and go home. But it has just been something miraculous. It’s just been something marvelous. And not only did folks at Clark Atlanta respond well, the whole nation has responded beautifully. And it’s really been a dream come true.