More than 150 Roxbury Community College graduates obtained greater than only a diploma Friday. They obtained a present of $1,000.
Celtics co-owner Rob Hale sprung the shock on them, giving every graduate $500 to spend on themselves and one other $500 to offer to somebody who had helped them or to a charity of their selection.
“It was shocking,” mentioned Tiara Dunbar, 28, of Dorchester. “It’s the most generous gift anyone could give … We weren’t expecting it at all. This is definitely the biggest gift I’ve ever received. It got proven today that everyone really is for us.”
Dunbar mentioned she was going to carry onto the envelopes the items got here in and “cherish” them due to the donation and so they got here in envelopes adorned by youngsters.
She was a full-time pupil majoring in early childhood training and plans to make use of the cash towards shopping for a house with the assistance of the Boston Housing Authority’s Self-Sufficiency Program and operating a childcare middle out of it.
Hale, the keynote speaker on the commencement, suggested the graduates to comply with their hearts, give greater than they get and “don’t let fear of failure define you.”
Anetra Warren known as Hale’s donation a “blessing and said she plans to give $500 to the dance program she runs and use the rest to pay her bills and “put food on the table.”
“I was shell-shocked,” she mentioned. “I’m speechless.”
Warren, 35, of Roxbury, mentioned she fled her abusive companion and got here to Boston in 2014 from Virginia, with nothing greater than $200 on her on the time together with a 1-year-old daughter, her 4-year-old son, a stroller and one suitcase.
She plans to proceed her training and turn into a lawyer in the future, she mentioned. For now, she’s working as a house well being aide.
Christina Samedi, 25, of Roxbury, additionally mentioned she was “shocked” by Hale’s present and plans to put it aside in order that she will be able to get her bachelor’s diploma in prison justice.
Olusegun Aedeyemo, 53, of Randolph, mentioned the donation lifted his spirits, and he plans to make use of it to “put a smile on some people’s faces.”
Sitarah Clark mentioned she felt “overwhelmed” by the present and deliberate to place it towards household bills, together with a automobile.
Marcia Sharpe was so moved by what Hale had performed that it introduced tears to her eyes
“How did I feel? Excited, unbelievable, grateful,” mentioned Sharpe, 55, of Framingham.
She mentioned she hadn’t made up her thoughts but what she was going to do with the cash.
BOSTON, MA.- Wiley Cole-Shipman, 7, reacts after graduation speaker Robert Hale, co-founder and president of Granite Telecommunications and co-owner and director of the Boston Celtics, presents him with a $100 invoice, as he accompanies his mother Tiara Dunbar throughout the stage throughout Roxbury Community College’s forty sixth graduation ceremonies on the Reggie Lewis Track and Field Center on May 13, 2022 in Boston, MA. (Photo by Amanda Sabga/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
BOSTON, MA.- Graduates react as graduation speaker Robert Hale, co-founder and president of Granite Telecommunications and co-owner and director of the Boston Celtics, presenting them every with $1000 throughout Roxbury Community College’s forty sixth graduation ceremonies on the Reggie Lewis Track and Field Center on May 13, 2022 in Boston, MA. (Photo by Amanda Sabga/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
BOSTON, MA.- Class of 2022 graduates react as ballots drop signifying their commencement throughout Roxbury Community College’s forty sixth graduation ceremonies on the Reggie Lewis Track and Field Center on May 13, 2022 in Boston, MA. (Photo by Amanda Sabga/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
BOSTON, MA.- Graduates react as graduation speaker Robert Hale, co-founder and president of Granite Telecommunications and co-owner and director of the Boston Celtics, presenting them every with $1000 throughout Roxbury Community College’s forty sixth graduation ceremonies on the Reggie Lewis Track and Field Center on May 13, 2022 in Boston, MA. (Photo by Amanda Sabga/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
BOSTON, MA.- Graduates hearken to audio system throughout Roxbury Community College’s forty sixth graduation ceremonies on the Reggie Lewis Track and Field Center on May 13, 2022 in Boston, MA. (Photo by Amanda Sabga/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
BOSTON, MA.- Commencement speaker Robert Hale, co-founder and president of Granite Telecommunications and co-owner and director of the Boston Celtics, speaks to graduates, earlier than presenting them every with $1000, throughout Roxbury Community College’s forty sixth graduation ceremonies on the Reggie Lewis Track and Field Center on May 13, 2022 in Boston, MA. (Photo by Amanda Sabga/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
BOSTON, MA.- Commencement speaker Robert Hale, co-founder and president of Granite Telecommunications and co-owner and director of the Boston Celtics, speaks to graduates, earlier than presenting them every with $1000, throughout Roxbury Community College’s forty sixth graduation ceremonies on the Reggie Lewis Track and Field Center on May 13, 2022 in Boston, MA. (Photo by Amanda Sabga/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
BOSTON, MA.- Valedictorian Shadia Singo speaks throughout Roxbury Community College’s forty sixth graduation ceremonies on the Reggie Lewis Track and Field Center on May 13, 2022 in Boston, MA. (Photo by Amanda Sabga/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
BOSTON, MA.- Graduate Natalie Sequea turns into emotional throughout a efficiency of “Rise Up” throughout Roxbury Community College’s forty sixth graduation ceremonies on the Reggie Lewis Track and Field Center on May 13, 2022 in Boston, MA. (Photo by Amanda Sabga/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
BOSTON, MA.- Graduate Audrey Thomas raises her fist and appears up throughout a efficiency of “Rise Up” throughout Roxbury Community College’s forty sixth graduation ceremonies on the Reggie Lewis Track and Field Center on May 13, 2022 in Boston, MA. (Photo by Amanda Sabga/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
BOSTON, MA.- Valedictorian Shadia Singo reacts as she speaks throughout Roxbury Community College’s forty sixth graduation ceremonies on the Reggie Lewis Track and Field Center on May 13, 2022 in Boston, MA. (Photo by Amanda Sabga/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
BOSTON, MA.- Roxbury Community College’s Interim President Jackie Jenkins-Scott speaks through the college’s forty sixth graduation ceremonies on the Reggie Lewis Track and Field Center on May 13, 2022 in Boston, MA. (Photo by Amanda Sabga/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
BOSTON, MA.- Graduate Javeriya Ahmed listens to audio system throughout Roxbury Community College’s forty sixth graduation ceremonies on the Reggie Lewis Track and Field Center on May 13, 2022 in Boston, MA. (Photo by Amanda Sabga/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
BOSTON, MA.- Graduates hearken to audio system throughout Roxbury Community College’s forty sixth graduation ceremonies on the Reggie Lewis Track and Field Center on May 13, 2022 in Boston, MA. (Photo by Amanda Sabga/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
BOSTON, MA.- Graduate Dolores Michel holds her daughter Elvi, 2, as she listens to audio system throughout Roxbury Community College’s forty sixth graduation ceremonies on the Reggie Lewis Track and Field Center on May 13, 2022 in Boston, MA. (Photo by Amanda Sabga/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
BOSTON, MA.- Graduate Ruth Mbambali cheers and gestures throughout Roxbury Community College’s forty sixth graduation ceremonies on the Reggie Lewis Track and Field Center on May 13, 2022 in Boston, MA. (Photo by Amanda Sabga/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
BOSTON, MA.- City Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson speaks throughout Roxbury Community College’s forty sixth graduation ceremonies on the Reggie Lewis Track and Field Center on May 13, 2022 in Boston, MA. (Photo by Amanda Sabga/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
We aim to constantly bring to you all the latest and most updated industry news across all major categories. With a wide variety of topics and categories under our umbrella, we bring to you the latest news and activities in the top sought areas of public interest.