'Dear Class of 2020': Here's how the Obamas, Beyoncé, Lady Gaga inspired graduates

President Barack Obama said in a commencement speech Sunday that nationwide protests following recent deaths of unarmed black women and men including George Floyd were fueled from “decades worth of anguish, frustration, over unequal treatment and a failure to perform police practices.”

READ: Tom Brady, Russell Westbrook Among Stars Who Featured In Barack Obama's Graduation Event

Obama along with his wife, Michelle, delivered speeches during YouTube’s Dear Class of 2020 virtual ceremony. duo, along with a wide-ranging, star-studded lineup including Beyoncé, Lady Gaga and Tom Brady, offered inspirational messs in hopes of uplifting new graduates.

former president told graduates that coronavirus shined a light on a plethora of America’s ongoing issues.

“In a lot of ways, pandemic just brought into focus problems that have been growing for a very long time,” he continued. “Wher it’s widening ecomic inequality, lack of basic health care for millions of people, continuing scourge of bigotry and sexism, or division or dysfunction that plagued our political system.”

Obama added: “As scary and uncertain se times may be, y are also a wake-up call. And y’re an incredible opportunity for your generation.”

READ: Obamas On Protests, Virus Uncertainty For Graduates

Michelle Obama said ongoing protests following Floyd’s death are a “direct result of decades of unaddressed, prejudice and inequality.” She said she understands those who are “scared or confused or angry, or just plain overwhelmed” with events past few months.

“Over se past couple of months, our foundation has been shaken,” she said. “t just by a pandemic that stole too many of our loved ones, upended our daily lives and sent tens of millions into unemployment, but also by rumbling of -old fault lines that our country was built on, lines of race and power that are w once again so nakedly exposed for all of us to grapple with.”

Beyoncé delivered a stirring 10-minute speech to graduates. She spoke about recent protests as well as shared her secrets to success and importance of ownership.

“You are achieving things your parents and grandparents never could imagine for mselves,” she said. “You are answer to a generation of prayers.”

Beyoncé advised graduates to believe in mselves as she did when singer started her own company a decade ago. She said creating her own lane was challenging in an entertainment business that is still “very sexist” and “male-dominated.” singer also said protests have already made an impact.

“Look what you’ve been able to do in last 14 days,” she said. “We’ve seen power of collective. We’ve seen what happens when we join for same cause. Please, continue to be voice for voiceless.”

four-hour ceremony was filmed over last several weeks, but Lady Gaga decided to re-record her mess. Her initial speech touched on effect COVID-19 had on this year’s graduating class, but she wanted to speak more on Floyd’s death, Black Lives Matter movement and racism in America.

“While my original commencement speech may t be directly relevant to what this country needs most right w, I wish to tell you today that though re is much to be sad about, re is also much to celebrated,” she said. “You are watching what is a pivotal moment in this country’s evolution. ... Change will happen, and it will be for better.”

Taylor Swift said her high school graduation wasn’t what she expected. singer told a story about how she was on tour and unable to go to her own ceremony.

“I kw this isn’t kind of graduation you thought you were going to be having,” she said. “I ended up getting mailed my diploma. ... It wasn’t exactly what I had pictured.”

Lizzo began ceremony with a rousing performance. While wielding her flute, Truth Hurts singer performed classic Pomp and Circumstance before she congratulated graduates as New York Philharmonic accompanied her.

Several music artists from Cynthia Erivo, Camila Cabello, Coldplay’s Chris Martin, Ty Dolla $ign, Khalid and ors collaborated to sing a rendition of U2’s Beautiful Day. Katy Perry led graduates in ceremonial tassel turn at end of commencement celebration.

READ: George Floyd Death: Obama Recommends MBK Alliance Measures To Check Racial Discrimination

READ: Barack Obama Urges Youth To Feel 'hopeful', Says 'you Have Power To Change Things'

Im credit: YouTube Originals