Graduate…
“Only 22.8% of Black men age 25 and older have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.”
Today we celebrated the newest one.
Graduating from college is a great accomplishment, but today was about more than earning a degree. It was about being on the other side of a statistic.
One graduate can change the lives of many people around them. Friends, family, and future generations all benefit from seeing what is possible. Being part of a smaller percentage means becoming an example that success is achievable and that goals can become reality with persistence and dedication.
Today was a celebration of one achievement, but it was also a reminder that every milestone creates opportunities, inspires others, and leaves a legacy that reaches far beyond the graduate.
The graduate (right) and his father
Never get between this family and a blackjack table!
The Shot O-Clock committee
Bahn Xeo man!
If you're unfamiliar with bánh xèo, think of it as a crispy Vietnamese crepe filled with pork, shrimp, chicken or vegetables. The name translates to "sizzling cake," because of the distinctive sound it makes while cooking. It's traditionally enjoyed wrapped in lettuce and fresh herbs like mint and basil, then dipped in nước mắm, a tangy fish sauce.
Collected from this evening:
The discovery that four small slices of different cakes are much better than one large slice of cake
My highly scientific conclusion that Spam musubi counts as a balanced meal. Meat, grains, and vegetables are all represented.
A reminder that every great pet friendship needs a size difference. One big pup and one little pup.
The teacher in me has to cite my source. If you're curious about the graduation statistics and others that help tell the bigger story, you can find them here:
https://pnpi.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/MenOfColor_FactSheet_Apr25.pdf
