By April C. Turner
At the Career Bridge 2022 Graduation ceremony, approximately 80 graduates stepped onto their next level. Smiles bounced happily from face to face, and excitement animated the room.
“I’m really excited that I have completed the Universal Banking course,” said Jareema Warner. “I’m really looking to start a new career path and anything that comes after that.”
HVAC program graduate, Jordan Tyson, also expressed his excitement about having a new career in the HVAC industry.
“I am most excited just to be able to work and to be able to provide for my family.” Tyson said. “And to be able to do something I love and not just get a job where I am not really loving what I’m doing. I get to go to work everyday with a smile. And it just brings joy to me to do that.”
Petisha Sturdivant said she was excited about completing her high school equivalency for a list of reasons.
“(I’m excited) that I can further my education, my career and my money,” Sturdivant said.
Robyn Hamilton, Interim President and CEO of the Urban League of Central Carolinas, offered wise advice in her pre-commencement remarks. “Don’t forget what made you do this. That’s the thing. Sometimes we forget why we started all of this,” she said.
“(Your journey) might not be a straight line. It might curve a little bit, but that’s okay. A lot of us have gotten a lot of places that we’ve never even imagined. So I’m glad that you took the time to open yourself to the world of possibilities,” Hamilton said.
Raki McGregor, Senior Vice President of New Business, Digital Equity and Community Growth at Novant Health, gave the commencement address. He offered poignant remarks encouraging graduates to walk confidently into the biggest, best future they can imagine for themselves. “You are built for success,” he said. “Not building. You’re already built for success. You already have everything you need.”
Shamar Farley, League Advocacy Manager and Universal Banking Instructor, agreed that this group of graduates have all the tools they need to be successful at their next level. “These students came and were very tenacious in the program. They had a lot of aspirations to take it on and complete it. And they did such. They were literally our fastest class to complete this program,” Farley said.
Despite some of the challenges the graduates faced during the process, Makeda Holley-Johnson, ULCC Director of Education and Emerging Programs, encouraged everyone to believe in themselves and keep moving forward. “You are somebody. You (were) somebody when you came here. You are somebody when you are now leaving here. You are strong. You are powerful. You are mighty. You deserve the education you got,” Holley-Johnson said.
“And I say that to each of you because you are more than a piece of paper. You are more than your story. You are everything. And you are everything to all of us,” she added.
HVAC instructor and industry professional, Ty Baldwin, affirmed the mutual impact shared between instructors and students. “I promise you, I learned a lot more from you than you learned from me. They say that if you do something you love you will never work a day in your life. So, I enjoyed it. And you guys helped me continue to grow, as well,” he said.
Baldwin also recited a few words of wisdom that he said helped him to change his perspective on life and continue to move forward. He said, “The best thing in the hands of a fool may be turned to his destruction, and even out of the worst, the wise will find the means to do good. So just keep growing and you guys will be blessed in this field.”
With her inimitable warmth and sincerity, HSE instructor, Gwendolyn McClellan offered a similar commission in her remarks. She charged graduates to “Be thankful for the honors and distinctions you have on this Wednesday. And may this be the gift that God has given you and that you will cherish it forever.”
HVAC graduate, Tracey Gainey, beams after the ceremony full of excitement. “It was an amazing experience,” Gainey said. “One of the best experiences I had was (having) a great teacher. My future is bright and I most definitely appreciate the Urban League. Thank you so much.”
