# of Guests & Tickets
We have not put a limit on the number of guests per graduate this year (2024), but each guest must have a physical ticket to enter Woolsey Hall. All graduates must submit their ticket request to the Black Graduation Committee, either through the registration form or via email once registration closes. Small children are consider guests, so count them as well. Tickets will be distributed at graduation rehearsal.
Arrival
Graduates, please arrive at 2:30pm on Saturday, May 18th at 2:30pm for check-in in the balcony at Woolsey Hall (2nd floor). We expect there will be a lot of car/foot traffic that day, so please plan your travel accordingly.
Check-in will end at 3:15pm. Late arrival/check-in will not be permitted. If you arrive late, you will be turned away. Thanks for understanding and planning your travel to Woolsey Hall accordingly.
Check-In Process
Go directly to the check-in table upon arrival where you will sanitize your hands. A student assistant will verify if you are registered. If you are verified, you will be given a gift bag containing a battery-operated fan, the ceremony program, and a bottle of water. You will receive your stole during the ceremony. (NOTE: The stole is free only for registered graduates who will be attending the ceremony.)
Attire and Accessibility
DO NOT wear your academic regalia — NO robes or graduation caps. Traditionally, our attire is black business casual or attire that represents our cultural heritage(s)! Please note, however, that Woolsey Hall can be a warm, depending on the weather. Prepare for the heat, please!
Please note that during the march to The House after the ceremony, we will be walking across campus; while there are paved sidewalks, they are not smooth. You should keep this in mind as you plan your footwear. If you are not able to walk, please contact us immediately so that we can work on accommodations.
Agenda
We will assemble in the balcony at Woolsey Hall. Awardees will line up at the front of the procession line. We will walk down the stairs to the first floor. West African drummers will usher you in to your assigned seating at the front of Woolsey Hall. Each Residential College and graduate/professional school will have a designated seating area. You must sit with you college/school, unless you are an awardee.
All graduates will pre-record a video introducing themselves to our community. As each college or school is called, the video of those graduates will be played as the graduates and their stolers walk to the front. Each graduate will receive a stole from the student assistants, and pass it to their stoler to place on the shoulders of the graduate. The link to view the photographs will be sent to all registered graduates within three weeks of our event.
Following the ceremony, we will walk to The House for the champagne toast and reception. Light refreshments will be served.
Fees:
All graduating students who register for and attend the event will receive a commemorative stole free of charge. For those who choose not to participate, stoles may be purchased at The House on Friday, May 17th at 4-6PM, while supplies last. Stoles are $40, and we accept exact cash and card payments. If you register, but do not show up for the celebration, you may also purchase our custom, handmade Kente stoles for $40.
If you cannot adhere to the above, or cannot attend the ceremony for any other reason, please inform yaleblackgraduation@gmail.com
Yale Black Graduates' Celebration 