The Graduation

SAY IT LOUD HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 2020
NATIONAL BLACK ONLINE GRADUATION TO BE HELD JUNE 25, 2020
Grad celebrations to continue online during COVID-19 Pandemic
Inspired by LeBron James’ U.S. event featuring President Obama’s commencement address

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 19, 2020 Toronto — Say It Loud, an Urban Rez Solutions Social Enterprise initiative, has announced the launch of the ‘Class of 2020 National Black Online Graduation’ on June 25, 2020. The virtual event will celebrate Black Pride and Positive Cultural Identity with high school students, families and loved ones from British Columbia to the Maritimes. Funded in part by the Canadian Department of Heritage, the event will feature keynote speakers and entertainers, and most importantly Valedictorian messages from African-Canadian students nationwide.

Inspired by the May 16 LeBron James nation-wide production, CLASS OF 2020 ~ GRADUATE TOGETHER, featuring former President Barack Obama’s commencement address, Say It Loud’s online Canadian event will feature community organizations, educational institutions, corporate Canada and politicians in a unified effort to disrupt racism in Canada and celebrate Black educational achievement.

“The students we are celebrating will become the braintrust of the African Canadian community and Canada,” said former pioneering Black radio exec and Canadian Idol judge Farley Flex, the event organizer. “It is important to show Black graduates that the entire community is here to support them as they move on to college, university, the trades or as entrepreneurs.”

Flex added that business, government and political leaders are being recruited to get behind this landmark initiative and lend support by contributing funds, delivering keynote addresses and spreading the word to all stakeholders involved in the success of Black youth.

“With COVID-19, students have had their great moment disrupted and it’s important to create an event to showcase their many successes, achievements and all the remarkable careers they will follow,” said Nadine Spencer, president of the Black Business and Professional Association. “We want everyone watching to hear about the many scholarships we will be awarding to these remarkable young people, the future cream of the African Canadian community. Together we can make our graduates celebrate their greatness as they prepare for a new era in their lives.”

“SAY IT LOUD is a unilateral effort to disrupt anti-Black racism and recognize the wealth of potential that exists within the Black Canadian community,” said Roderick Brereton, CEO of Urban Rez Solutions Social Enterprise. “Educational attainment is one sure way to debunk the negative stereotypes and racist narratives. SAY IT LOUD! is amplified optimal performance meeting potential.”

ABOUT Say It Loud!
Roderick Brereton and Farley Flex launched SAY IT LOUD, an Urban Rez Solutions Social Enterprise initiative funded by the Canadian Department of Heritage, to promote Black Pride and Positive Cultural Identity. It showcases brilliance in STEM, entrepreneurship, social innovation, literary, culinary, visual, performance and fashion arts. The SAY it LOUD National Black Youth Summit will take place in February 2021.

ABOUT URBAN REZ SOLUTIONS SOCIAL ENTERPRISE
Urban Rez Solutions Social Enterprise delivers comprehensive conflict management, mental health wellness, community engagement strategies, entrepreneurship training, disturbing anti-Black racism, diversity and inclusion training and facilitates programming with service providers, corporate organizations, community groups and individuals to bring about various aspects of positive change and pro-social development, education and widespread community advancement.

For more information on SAY IT LOUD!, please contact:

BrandEQ Agency
1370 Don Mills Rd, Toronto, ON
Nadine Spencer
Tel.: 416-281-1515 or 416-708-0521
Email: Media@brandeq.com
Web: sayitloudcanada.com

Link: Press Release