Thank you, President Obama and Mrs.Obama for including me in this very special day. And
congratulations to the class of 2020. You have arrived here in the middle of a global
crisis, a racial pandemic, and worldwide expression of outrage at the senseless killing
of yet another unarmed black human being. And you still made it. We're so proud of you.
Thank you for using your collective voice and letting the world know that black lives matter.
The killings of George Floyd, Ahmaud R burry, Breonna Taylor, and so many others have left us
all broken, it has left the entire country searching for answers. We've seen that our
collective hearts when put to positive action could start the wills of change. Real changes
has started with you, this new generation of high school aand college graduates who we celebrate
today. I did not get to experience college like some of you, or the campus parties that left you
struggling the next day in class, although that could have been fun. But my parents did teach me
the value of education, how to be authentic in my actions, and how to celebrate individuality
and the importance of investing in myself.
Dear graduates, please remember to take a little bit of time to give thanks to your family members
and the community who's been such a big support system for you. You are achieving things your
parents and grandparents never could imagine for themselves. You are the answer to a generation
of prayers. Now some of you might be the first in your family to graduate from college. Maybe you
did not follow the path that was expected of you. And you probably questioned everything about
your decision, but know that stepping out is the best thing you can do for self-discovery. I know
how hard it is to step out and bet on yourself. There was a pivotal turning point inn my life
when I chose to build my own company many years ago. I had to trust that I was ready and that
my parents and mentors provided me with the tools I needed to be successful. But that was
terrifying. The entertainment business is still very sexist, it's still very male-dominated.
And as a woman, I did not see enough female role models, given the opportunity to do what I knew
I had to do. To run my label and manage my company; to direct my films and produce my tours. That
meant ownship, owning my masters, owning my art, owning my future, and writing my own story. Not
enough black women had a seat at the table, so I had to go and chop down that wood and build my
own table. Then I had to invite the best there was to have a seat. That meant hiring women, men,
outsiders, underdogs, people that were overlooked, and waiting to be seen. Many of the best
creatives and business people who are though supremely qualified and talented were turned down
over and over as excutives at major corporations because they were female or because of racial
disparity. And I've been very proud to provide them with a place at my table. One of the main
purposes of my art for many rears has been dedicated to showing the beauty of black people to
the world: our history, our profundity, and the value of black lives. Now I've tried my bbest
to pull down the veil of appeasement to those who may feel uncomfortable with our excellence.
To the young women, our future leaders know that you're abour to make the world turn. I see
you. You are everything the world needs. Make those power moves, be excellent. And so the young
kings lean into your vulnerability and redefine masculinity. Lead with heart. There's so many
different ways to be brilliant. I believe you and every human being is born with a masterful
gift. Don't make the world make you feel that you have to look a certain way to be brilliant.
And, no, you don't have to speak a certain way to be brilliant, but you do have to spread your
gift around the planet in a way that is authentically you. So all those who feel different,
if you're a part of group, that's called others. A group that does not get the chance to be
center stage. Build your own stage, and make them see you. Your queerness is beautiful, your
blackness is beautiful, your compassion, your understanding, your fight for people who may
be different from you, is beautiful. I hope you continue to go into the world and show them
that you will never stop being yourself, that it's your time now. Make them see you. Now if
you've ever been called dumb, unattractive, overweight, unworthy, untalented, well, so have I.
Whatever you do, don't let negativity of people projecting their own self-doubts on you deter
you from your focus. I know those moments are painful and you're human and it hurts like hell,
but now is the time to turn those criticisms into fuel and motivation to become a beautiful beast.
Respect is everything. There's no successful relationship without respect, nor a successful movement
if the basic principle is not respect. The world will respect you as much as you respect yourself.
I'm often asked what's your secrett to success. The shorter answer: put in there work, there may be
more failure than victories. Yes, I've been blessed to have 24 Grammys, but I've lost 46 times, that
meant rejection 46 times. Please don't ever feel entitled to win, just keep working harder.
Surrender to the cards you are dealt, it's from that surrender that you get your power. Losing can
be the best motivator to get you even bigger wins, so never compare yourself to anyone else. There
will be wins and losses, there will be tears and laughter, you'll feel the shades of life deeply.
Now with success comes challenges, with your wins, you may start to notice people spending a lot of
energy trying to hear you down. Try not to take it personally. Unfortunately, it's something that
comes along with success. Whenever you feel like you're not in control or the world is against you,
let that vulnerability motivate you into greatness. That's how I found my true self. I remain a
work-in-progress and that's the beauty of growth. I've been happiest when I let go and allow life
to show me the next move. When you bet on yourself, you're making an investment into your own
future. When you choose to spend your valuable time, thinking speaking, typing, negative thoughts,
you're investing in something that will give you absolutely to return in your investment.
Class of 2020, every thought in your mind is powerful, every word you speak is powerful, every
action you take has consequences for yourself and your community. Look what you've been able to do
in the last 14 days. We've seen the power of the collective; we've seen what happens when we join
for the same cause. Please, continue to be the voice for the voiceless. Never forget we can
disagree in a way that is productive to arrive at decisions that foster real change. And if you
make a mistake, that's okay, too. But we all have a responsibility to hold ourselves accountable
and change. Whhatever the world looks like in 10 years and 20 years, part of that is up to you.
I urge you to let this current moment push you to improve yourself in all areas of your life, at
work, at home, activism, spirituality, wherever you can find hope, follow it, and remember you
are never alone. Lean on that strength of togetherness, keep the collective strong, stay focused,
don't talk about what you're gonna do, don't just dream about what you're gonna do. Don't
criticize somebody else for what they're not doing, you be it, be about it, be about that action
and go do it, keep your eye on your intention. Don't let any outside distraction or your own
insecurities stop you from your goals. Embrace that struggle, surviving that struggle will
strengthen you. This is a crucial time in our history and in your life. The earth is ripping that
band-aid off so we can really see our wounds. So we can acknowledge and nurture them. That's when
true healing begins, you can be that leader we all need. You can lead the movement that celebrates
humanity. My prayer for you is that you invest in yourself and see the value of giving back and
building your community the best way you can. I pray that you continue to celebrate and value lives
that appear different than your own. I know you are ready to start one of the most important
journeys of your life. You are at the brink of a huge world shift. Look how far you've come and how
much you contributed. Keep pushing, forget the fear, forget the doubt, keep investing, and keep
betting on yourself, and congratulations!