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Barack and Michelle Obama will deliver commencement speeches for the class of 2020

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Scott Olson/Getty ImagesFormer President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama will be participating in various virtual graduation ceremonies for the class of 2020, most of whom are missing their in-person graduations due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Over the past month, President and Mrs. Obama have received dozens of requests from around the globe to address graduating classes whose in-person commencement events have been cancelled due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic,” the former president’s office said in a statement on Tuesday.  “Today, the Obamas are pleased to announce that they will participate in multiple virtual commencement celebrations for students, families and educators.”

Barack Obama will deliver the commencement address at Graduate Together: America Honors the High School Class of 2020. The one-hour multimedia event — featuring a star-studded lineup including LeBron James, the Jonas Brothers and more — will air on Saturday, May 16, on ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC as well as other broadcast and digital streaming partners.

President Obama will also share a message for HBCU students at Show Me Your Walk, HBCU Edition, a two-hour virtual HBCU commencement program livestreamed on May 16 at 2 p.m. ET.

And on June 6, the Obamas will take part in YouTube’s Dear Class of 2020, which will stream live starting at 3 p.m. ET. Both Obamas “will deliver separate commencement addresses” and “a joint message to students,” according to the office.

That event will feature global leaders, celebrities, creators and more, including Malala YousafzaiSundar Pichai, former Defense Secretary Bob Gates, former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Lady GagaAlicia Keys, and Kerry Washington.Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


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