Quinn Foster
Event: Portland State University's Black Graduation Ceremony
Location: Gateway Discovery Park, Portland, Oregon
Role(s): Digital Engagement Coordinator and Event Organizer
I was assigned the role of social media manager for Black Student Union at Portland State University from 2019-2021.
In the heat of COVID-19, we decided to continue the legacy of Portland State University's Black Graduates ceremony. The ceremony became necessary to acknowledge and highlight Black students graduating from Portland State University (a campus with only 4.3% African American students). I volunteered as a solo digital engagement coordinator and event organizer for PSU's annual Black Graduation.
Portland State University's 2021 Black Graduation Ceremony brought together students, professors, and community members to honor and celebrate the Black graduates for the classes of 2020 and 2021 respectively. The ceremony included food from a local Black-owned restaurant, desserts, a keynote speaker, great endless music, the community, and our ancestors. Through adversity, we were able to organize a successful event and ceremony for Black graduates.