HISTORY:
Black Convocation (formerly known as Black Grad) was re-established in 2014 by Benita
Ilesanmi and fellow students, as an effort to highlight the successes of the Black students at Texas Tech University. The purpose of this event is to serve as a pre-commencement celebration of the Black students at Texas Tech University. This celebration is to highlight their determination, commitment, academic and social success throughout their time at this amazing institution. This ceremony reinforces the importance of minority students perusing a higher education degree all while celebrating diversity. Students receiving their bachelors, masters and doctoral degrees are all celebrated & gifted with a Kente Stole in the presence of their family, friends, instructors, mentors, etc.
Kente is considered to be the most famous of all African textiles and one of the worlds most complicated weaving. A genuine Kente cloth is made by weavers in Ghana. According to tradition, black represents Africa, Red represents the blood of fore-fathers, yellow represents Gold and Green represents the richness of the land.
VISION:
The vision of this event is to not only highlight graduating candidates, but also shine light on
alumni who have come before them to make a difference.
team highlight
La’Ryon “Spoon” Witherspoon, M.Ed.
La’Ryon “Spoon” Witherspoon, M.Ed.
La’Ryon “Spoon” Witherspoon, M.Ed.
Black Convocation Chair
Class of 2014 & 2016
Cory Powell, M.A.
La’Ryon “Spoon” Witherspoon, M.Ed.
La’Ryon “Spoon” Witherspoon, M.Ed.
Black Convocation Advisor
Class of 1996 & 2021