Umoja Cultural Graduation Ceremony
What is Umoja?
The Umoja Cultural Graduation Ceremony is dedicated to acknowledging the rich cultural heritage of Wentworth's graduating students of color while celebrating their significant achievements and contributions to our community.
A central and meaningful feature of this ceremony is the presentation of a cultural stole to each participating graduate on stage. This stole serves as a symbol of their accomplishments at Wentworth. In a unique personal touch, each graduate chooses someone significant in their life, such as a parent, partner, friend, faculty member, or mentor, to present the stole to them during the ceremony. Graduates are welcome to wear these special stoles again during Wentworth's main commencement ceremony.
Following the Umoja ceremony, graduates and their guests are cordially invited to attend a reception held in honor of the graduates' achievements. We encourage families, friends, and guests to join us in celebrating this important milestone.
Please note that similar cultural graduation events at other institutions may be referred to by names such as ALANA celebration, Kente/Stole ceremony, or Multicultural Graduation.
Why UMOJA?
UMOJA is a Swahili word meaning "unity." Swahili itself is a Bantu language originating from the Swahili people of East Africa.
We chose this name because the concept of unity, the principle and practice of togetherness for mutual support and benefit, is fundamental to this ceremony.
Through the Umoja Cultural Graduation, we aim to celebrate and demonstrate the profound strength and positive impact that unity brings, especially as graduates prepare to embark on the next stage of their lives.
The Robing Tradition and the Ceremonial Stole
A meaningful highlight of this ceremony is the robing of each graduate by a person of their choice. Graduates will have the opportunity to select someone significant to them, such as a mentor, family member, friend, partner, Wentworth faculty or staff member, or another person who holds deep meaning for them, to perform this honor. You will need to provide the name of your chosen person when you register for the ceremony.
Graduates participating in the Umoja Cultural Graduation Ceremony will receive a special stole at the event, which they can also wear at the main commencement ceremony the following day. These stoles, provided at no cost, feature patterns that pay homage to various cultures around the world. Please note that only participants of the Umoja ceremony are eligible to receive these stoles, and they will be distributed during the ceremony itself, not beforehand.