Urban College of Boston Celebrates the Class of 2026 with Joy, Pride, and Purpose
The energy in Downtown Boston on Saturday, May 30, was impossible to miss as Urban College of Boston celebrated its 2026 Commencement Ceremony at the Emerson Cutler Majestic Theater. Families gathered with flowers and cameras in hand, graduates proudly adjusted caps and gowns, and cheers echoed through the streets as the day began with a special processional from the college campus to the theater.
Leading the celebration was a vibrant lion dance performance by the Gund Kwok Asian Women’s Lion and Dragon Troupe — a meaningful reflection of Urban College’s multilingual mission and the rich diversity that defines its community. The performance set the tone for a ceremony filled with pride, emotion, and excitement for what comes next.
This year, Urban College awarded 114 degrees and certificates to graduates whose journeys often involved balancing jobs, family responsibilities, caregiving, and coursework all at once. For many students and their loved ones, commencement represented far more than earning a credential — it was the realization of years of sacrifice, determination, and hope.
The audience responded with heartfelt applause throughout the ceremony as graduates crossed the stage, many embraced by emotional family members afterward. Some graduates were the first in their families to attend college, while others pursued their education after immigrating to the United States or while raising children and working full time. Their stories were at the center of the celebration.
Global philanthropist and equity-focused financial services executive Lincoln C. Mali delivered the keynote address, offering words that deeply resonated with graduates and their families.
“Today we celebrate not only degrees earned, but dreams that refused to surrender,” Mali said. “We honor the parents who studied late into the night after exhausting shifts, the immigrants who learned a new language while carrying the ache of home, and the first-generation scholars who bore the hopes of those who came before them. You are the quiet heroes who refused to quit.”
His remarks captured the spirit of the day — one rooted in resilience, perseverance, and community.
Urban College President Dr. Salomon-Fernández reflected on the significance of this graduating class as the institution celebrates 30 years of impact.
“Our graduates are entering a world that demands resilience, empathy, innovation, and courage,” said Dr. Salomon-Fernández. “The Class of 2026 embodies all of those qualities and more. Their determination and lived experiences position them not only to succeed professionally, but to lead with purpose and create lasting impact.”
The ceremony also included special recognition for longtime community leader Denella J. Clark, who received the Robert M. Coard Leadership Award from Dr. Joan Becker, chair of the Urban College Board of Trustees. Clark was also honored with an honorary associate degree in human services for decades of leadership and service to Boston’s arts and education communities.
Former Urban College President Michael Taylor was also in attendance, adding to the sense of celebration and connection across generations of the college community.
For 30 years, Urban College of Boston has remained committed to expanding access to affordable, flexible, workforce-focused education for students from historically underserved communities. Founded in 1993 by Action for Boston Community Development (ABCD), the college continues to empower students to transform not only their own lives, but also the communities they call home.
As graduates left the theater surrounded by proud family members and friends, there was a shared sense that this milestone marked both an ending and a beginning — the culmination of years of hard work and the start of exciting new opportunities ahead.
