Barack Obama is hosting the Dear Class of 2020 livestream to celebrate all the students who graduated from school this year but were unable to have graduation ceremonies due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In addition to appearances by the former President and Michelle Obama, Beyoncé will deliver a poignant speech to the 2020 class. Other guests include Kevin Durant, Jennifer Lopez, Demi Lovato, Hasan Minhaj, Janelle Monáe, Billy Porter, Yara Shahidi, Taylor Swift, Ciara and Russell Wilson, the cast of Euphoria, Lady Gaga, Alicia Keys, Kelly Rowland, Kerry Wasington, and more.
There will also be musical performances by Camila Cabello, Chloe X Halle, Lizzo, and Maluma, and appearances from political leaders like former Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates and former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
After the virtual graduation cap toss, YouTube Music will host a grad night party, which will feature BTS, Doja Cat, Megan Thee Stallion, and CNCO.
Watch the livestream up top.
On June 3, Obama also hosted a virtual town hall where he addressed the nationwide protests against police brutality. It was the first time Obama made on-camera remarks about the police murder of George Floyd and the protests that followed. He said that the ongoing civil unrest has led to a “difficult and scary and uncertain” time, but that he’s hopeful for the nation’s future.
He also echoed some of the sentiments from his newly published Medium post, How to Make this Moment the Turning Point for Real Change: “Sometimes when I feel despair, I just see what's happening with young people all across the country,” he said. “It makes me feel optimistic. It makes me feel as if ... this country's gonna get better.”
