Common shared his admiration of Chicago's graduating class of 2020 in the city's Grad 2020: For Chicago. By Chicago virtual event in an empowering speech on Sunday (June 14).
During the ceremony, which aired on local stations, the Oscar-winning songwriter praised the grads for their achievement during the global coronavirus pandemic, which has canceled milestone celebrations such as graduations and proms around the country. "You all have accomplished something that no other class in the history of America, in the history of Chicago, in the history of anywhere has accomplished.
You all accomplished graduation and made it to your graduation to get your diplomas in a time when the world has never seen anything like this," said Common via video