MSU Black Celebratory

In 2001-2002, a group of students led by Michael Oden recognized the need to celebrate and honor the achievements of Black students at MSU. With the support of the Black Student Alliance, along with Black faculty and staff, they established the African American Celebratory (AAC). In 2017, the AAC was reinstated as a registered student organization under the guidance of Dr. Genyne Royal. In 2023, the organization evolved by changing its name to Black Celebratory, reflecting a more inclusive recognition of the rich diversity within the African diaspora represented by students across MSU. While the event centers on celebrating the accomplishments of Black graduates, it welcomes the entire MSU community to come together in recognition and support of the graduates’ successes.  

Black Celebratory’s goals include community outreach and engagement to promote service-learning. Black Celebratory salutes educational achievement and congratulates prospective graduates on academic success through the bi-annual community celebration event informally known as "Black Grad."  

Give to MSU Black Celebratory and recognize MSU Black graduates!  

Black Celebratory is a ceremony for the MSU community to uplift and acknowledge Black students’ accomplishment of successfully completing an undergraduate, graduate, or doctoral degree. Black Celebratory centers the culture of our students, support of our communities, and excellence in scholarship. Black Celebratory has become a signature event that enhances students’ commencement experience and is a rite of passage for all prospective graduates. While sharing in the values of scholarship, community, integrity and Black excellence in all student experiences, Black Celebratory concludes each ceremony with a Kente-Stole accolade dedicated to the current class of graduates from MSU.

How your support makes a difference!

Gifts will help MSU Black Celebratory cover costs associated with the bi-annual Black Grad celebration. This includes support for venue costs and providing funds to honor our graduates with a Kente-Stole accolade. Donations can also help support other Black Celebratory community outreach and service-learning initiatives and programs.  

Make a difference today by supporting MSU Black Celebratory and join us in celebrating MSU’s Spartan Black Grads!  

*Gifts will be used in a manner that is open to all without restriction or preference based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, national origin or other protected personal identity.

Make a Gift by Mail:

University Advancement
Spartan Way
535 Chestnut Road, Room 300
East Lansing, MI 48824

*Make check payable to Michigan State University and write “Appeal 25GGDCF1BLKC” in the note section.

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