Claflin University News June 17, 2020 CLAFLIN TOP GRADUATE TO BE FEATURED ON ESPN’S THE UNDEFEATED PRESENTS ‘HBCU DAY’ The Undefeated<https://theundefeated.com/>, ESPN’s content platform exploring the intersections of sports, race and culture, will present ‘HBCU Day’ this Saturday, May 23, to celebrate the Class of 2020 graduates at Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Utilizing the hashtag #UndefeatedHBCUDay, the virtual celebration will feature a collection of videos and written content shared all day across The Undefeated’s social accounts (Twitter, Instagram and Facebook) and curated on www.TheUndefeated.com<http://www.theundefeated.com/>. Former President Barack Obama headlines a list of prominent African Americans who will deliver congratulatory and inspirational messages to this year’s HBCU graduates. Others include Grammy Award-winning artist Toni Braxton, actor Omar Epps, U.S. Senator Kamala Harris, The Heritage Foundation President Kay C. James, Hall of Fame wide receiver Jerry Rice, ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith, and more. HBCU Day marks the second time that The Undefeated has worked with Obama on a project. In October 2016, the 44th President headlined a first-of-its-kind conversation<http://es.pn/2dpV3yY> hosted by The Undefeated at North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro, N.C. Obama’s #UndefeatedHBCU Day message will post at 1 p.m. ET. “We are proud to present ‘HBCU Day,’ a celebration of the next generation of leaders who have been educated by our Historically Black Colleges and Universities,” said Kevin Merida, ESPN Senior Vice President and Editor-in-Chief of The Undefeated. “The day is a reminder of the brilliance and potential of the 2020 graduating class, and of the role HBCUs continue to play in the development of this country.” As part of The Undefeated's HBCU Day, more than 20 valedictorians and ambassadors – nominated by their respective schools – will share inspirational and encouraging messages to their fellow graduates. Their messages will be shared across The Undefeated platforms on Saturday. Claflin University’s valedictorian Ms. Angel Hague will be among those speaking on Saturday. Other special guests include, actor Anthony Anderson, singer/songwriter Toni Braxton, Senator Kamala Harris, and many more. SANDRA M. PHOENIX HBCU Library Alliance Executive Director Atlanta University Center Robert W. Woodruff Library 111 James P. Brawley Drive SW Atlanta GA 30314 404-978-2118 (office) 404-702-5854 (cell) http://www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> Honor the ancestors, honor the children and those yet to come. Building Capacity for Humanities Special Collections at HBCUs – Become an ally and partner with us to protect, preserve and share a more authentic record of American history. Follow this link http://hbculibraries.org/humanities-2019.html for more information. Follow this link http://hbculibraries.org/ and click on the Donate Now button to invest in this project. Your support is appreciated. Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/hbculibraryalliance1/ and Twitter at https://twitter.com/HBCULibAlliance Check out "PULSE!" The HBCU Library Alliance's News Source! - https://hbculibraryalliance.wordpress.com/