Janelle Monáe and John Legend recently graced Loyola Marymount University’s 2024 commencement ceremonies. The event, held in Los Angeles, saw Monáe and Legend delivering powerful messages of love and hope to the graduating class.
John Legend’s Message of Hope
During the undergraduate ceremony on Saturday, May 4, John Legend addressed the graduates, acknowledging the challenges they faced amidst unprecedented times. He emphasized the importance of love, stating, “These are no ordinary times.”
Legend expressed his belief in the transformative power of love, urging the graduates to embrace it as they embark on their journey beyond university life. “With love, we can serve. With love, we can heal. We can build. We can do – and undo,” he remarked, inspiring the audience with his positive outlook.
Janelle Monáe’s Call for Change
The following day, Janelle Monáe took the stage to address the master’s degree and doctoral candidates. Calling for a new standard of love in the world, Monáe highlighted the need to challenge outdated societal norms.
Expressing concern over persistent injustices and inequalities, Monáe urged the graduates not to settle for the status quo. “They are holding us back from realizing our full potential to love as human beings and as a humanity,” they emphasized.
Celebrating Graduation
More than 2,400 undergraduate and graduate students participated in Loyola Marymount University’s commencement ceremonies, marking a significant milestone in their academic journey. Both Monáe and Legend’s speeches resonated deeply with the graduating class, inspiring them to embrace love and strive for positive change in the world.
As the graduates embark on their future endeavors, they carry with them the empowering messages delivered by these acclaimed musicians. Watch John Legend’s speech for a dose of inspiration and listen to Janelle Monáe’s powerful words below.
The commencement ceremonies served as a fitting celebration of the graduates’ hard work and achievements, with faculty, families, and friends joining in the festivities. The atmosphere was filled with anticipation and excitement as the graduates prepared to transition to the next phase of their lives.
In his closing remarks, Legend expressed his confidence in the graduates’ ability to make a difference in the world. “I cannot wait to see how you will harness the power of love,” he declared, leaving the audience with a sense of optimism for the future.
Similarly, Monáe encouraged the graduates to embrace their role as agents of change. “We need a new standard of love in this world,” they asserted, inspiring the audience to strive for a more inclusive and compassionate society.