By Von C. Howard, Guest Contributor
To the phenomenal Class of 2025 — You did it.
After all the late nights, early mornings, group projects, side hustles, prayers, and doubts—after all the times when quitting seemed easier—you made it. Whether you’re stepping off a high school campus or walking across that college stage, you are not just a graduate. You are a symbol of Black brilliance, resilience, and divine potential.
You didn’t just survive the storm—you flew above it.
You are the fruit of whispered prayers—from grandmothers, mentors, teachers, coaches, and neighbors. You are the product of a system that hasn’t always been fair, and still, you rose. Like the eagle, you soared.
And now, it’s your time to fly even higher. But before you take off, remember this:
Move forward, but never forget to give back.
In this world of followers and filters, of “likes” and online clout, success is often mistaken for visibility. But true greatness isn’t about how many people know your name—it’s about how many lives you lift as you rise.
So ask yourself, not just “How far can I go?” but “Who can I bless along the way?”
Use your diploma like a passport—yes, to explore, innovate, and build. But also as a license to return home and reinvest in the places that made you. Reach back for that kid who walks the same streets you did. The one wondering if they matter. Remind them they do—because you made it, and they can too.
God’s Word reminds us in Micah 6:8:
“What does the Lord require of you? To act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.”
Or as grandma would put it: “Do right, stay kind, and don’t forget where you came from.”
And don’t worry—we’re not saying you can’t shine.
Shine hard. Dream big. Build your empire. But do it with purpose. Because our people don’t just need more millionaires—we need more mentors, more leaders, more examples of what it looks like to win with integrity.
Let’s keep it real:
“I got, I got, I got, I got loyalty, got royalty inside my DNA.”— Kendrick Lamar, “DNA.”
That royalty? It’s not just lyrics. It’s legacy. You come from kings and queens, from builders and believers, from communities that made a way out of no way. So let that royalty show up in your discipline, your service, and your dedication to impact.
And when the distractions come—and they will—remember J. Cole’s wisdom:
“The real ones been dyin’, the fake ones is lit / The game is off balance, I’m back on my… shift.”
— J. Cole, “Middle Child”
Stay on your shift. Stay focused. Don’t just chase money. Chase meaning.
Don’t just build a brand. Build a legacy.
Whether you become a doctor, teacher, engineer, artist, tech CEO, chef, or content creator—do it with intention. Do it with excellence. And always—do it with your community in mind.
Because your graduation? It’s not just a finish line—it’s a call to action.
So go out and:
Dream louder than your fears.
Work harder than your doubts.
Pray deeper than your challenges.
And love stronger than your past.
You are the future. You are the hope. You are the blueprint.
So walk boldly. Fly high. And always, always come back and pour into others.
From all of us who believe in you—from Sistrunk to Southside, from grandma’s porch to the college quad—we see you, we salute you, and we expect nothing less than greatness.
Congratulations, Class of 2025.
Now go soar—and take somebody with you.
