Oprah Winfrey, Cardi B, DJ Khaled, and so many more celebrities came together to celebrate the Class of 2020 in a virtual graduation ceremony on Friday (May 15th). The virtual event, titled #Graduation2020, was held in honour of all the graduates who were unable to have a proper commencement as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Hosted by Mindy Kaling and BJ Novak in collaboration with Facebook and Instagram, #Graduation2020 featured a myriad of stars offering inspiring words to all the graduates, including the expert herself, Oprah, giving the official commencement speech.

“Hello everyone,” Oprah began. “I know you may not feel like it, but you are, indeed, the chosen class for such a time as this, the Class of 2020. You’re also a united class, the pandemic class, that has the entire world striving to graduate with you. Of course, this is not the graduating ceremony you envisioned. You’ve been dreaming about that walk across the stage with your family and friends cheering you on, the caps flung joyously in the air. But even though there may not be pomp because of our circumstances, never has a graduating class been called to step into the future with more purpose, vision, passion, energy, and hope. Your graduation ceremony is taking place with so many luminaries celebrating you on the world’s Facebook stage, and I’m just honoured to join them and salute you.”

“I just want to say congrats to all my high school and to all my college graduates,” Cardi said in her own speech. “Congrats congrats congrats! And don’t let no coronavirus, no nothing, take this special moment from you…It’s more than a diploma, it’s more than graduation, it’s knowledge, it’s knowing that…you went through those hard nights, studying….Now you’re about to start your life, you’re about to make some money, you’re about to show your skills on what you worked for!”

Watch the full virtual ceremony below:

We may not hear much from Lauryn Hill, but the music icon has emerged to deliver a motivational message to the graduates of Temple University. The COVID-19 pandemic has curbed public graduations for millions of students who had hopes of walking across stages to celebrate their accomplishments. With the “Stay Home” order in place, large public gatherings have been nixed in many places worldwide. Celebrities have given words of encouragement from the comforts of their homes to students who have to miss their proms or had their graduations canceled, including Lauryn Hill who wrote a moving piece to Temple University graduates.

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“I know this message finds you in the unique and unprecedented circumstance of a graduation ceremony held remotely, but for the safety of you and your families consider this the beginning of a significant story you’ll have to share with those that follow you,” the award-winning singer wrote. “For this time is indeed historic, and if we’re paying attention, pregnant with purpose. Purpose is powerful. The work one puts his or her hands to with purpose attached, becomes charged, activated and often deeply meaningful. Purpose-filled acts can change lives, move communities and alter the course of history.”

She also told them that in this time, what we need are young people to fulfill acts of “kindness,” “courage,” and “responsibility.” Lauryn Hill added, “The world desperately needs youthful optimism and people prepared to help lead and guide its course with wisdom and informed perspective. Make no mistake, our times aren’t easy, but they aren’t impossible to alter and positively affect either.”

“Extend gratitude to your families, and to the faculty and administrators who assisted in the development of your full-of-potential young minds. You’ve grown from promising students into mature, more-than-capable young adults ready to accomplish incredible goals in your respective fields and beyond. We celebrate you.” You can read Lauryn’s letter in full here.

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If you don’t have to wear pants, should you? People have been sharing just how they’ve been handling video calls during this quarantine, and often it requires business up top and casual from the waist down. Comedy icon Keenen Ivory Wayans decided to join the growing list of celebrities who are using their platforms to send encouraging messages to the graduating class of 2020 since they won’t be able to join their peers and walk across stages to receive their diplomas. Wayans recorded a video from his home, and it’s obvious that he’s not getting dressed up—at least not fully—for anyone.

 
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The video begins with the In Living Color creator asking a young whippersnapper how to record to his message. “So I just push that red button?” The person tells him yes. Then, he begins his inspirational message. “Hello, everybody. This is Keenen Ivory Wayans. I just want to say congratulations to the class of 2020,” he stated. “I know this sucks. You worked your ass off, and now you don’t even get to walk, but that’s what makes you the greatest generation of this new millennium. In the face of a global pandemic, you stayed focused, continued to work hard, and achieved your goals. That’s the kind of leaders we’re going to need in the future. I wish you guys all the best.”

He ended his message by saying, “Keep striving, keep smiling,” a nod to Dionne Warwick’s “That’s What Friends Are For.” Then, Keenen looks to tap the “red button” that’s supposed to stop his video. The actor stood up and revealed that he wasn’t wearing any pants…or underwear. In the caption, he wrote, “#oldn*ggatrynauseinstagram.” The clip brought in laughs from his Wayans tribe and celebrities from all facets of the industry, so watch Keenen Ivory Wayans’s funny video below.