Following the University of Kentucky’s decision to cancel all diversity, equity and inclusion graduations, local community members, students and UK staff organized alternative ceremonies to honor underrepresented graduates.

According to university spokesperson Jay Blanton, in mid-April, UK officials informed organizers of identity-based ceremonies that they would be canceled due to federal and state policy changes on DEI.

All students can still attend UK’s official graduation ceremonies. However, Blanton said the university will no longer host any pinning or cord ceremonies for LGBTQ+, African American and first-generation students, “given the federal directives” UK has received.

The canceled ceremonies include the Harambee Unity graduation celebration, the Lavender Graduation and the First-Generation Pinning Ceremony.

According to University of Kentucky President Eli Capilouto, the decision to cancel the graduation ceremonies was made in the interest of student safety. He addressed the cancellations on April 29 in an email, with an accompanying video, to the campus community.

“Complying with the law is the best way to protect our people and our continued capacity to support them,” Capilouto said in the video.

In response, several organizations across campus organized ceremonies in place of those that were canceled. The first event, “Community Commencement,” was held on May 2 at Maxwell Street Presbyterian Church. 

The ceremony was sponsored by the UK Gender and Sexuality Alliance, the United Campus Workers of Kentucky and Maxwell Street Presbyterian Church. According to the event’s pamphlet, it was created to celebrate “the Lexington community’s recognition of BIPOC, first-generation and LGBTQ excellence. ” 

Jay Stringer-Vaught, event organizer and master’s student in library science, said they started the event because their lavender graduation was cancelled.

According to Stringer-Vaught, a lavender graduation is a smaller ceremony formerly held by the UK Gender and Sexuality Center for LGBTQ+ students for the past three years. 

“As a queer person, as marginalized person, it was important for me to have a celebration for everyone who goes to UK and pays UK,” Stringer-Vaught said. 

According to Stringer-Vaught, the event allows marginalized students to know “they are loved” and not alone, combating the federal legislation disbanding DEI and the university’s response.

“These celebrations were canceled in the name of neutrality or equality, but these were ceremonies that, quite frankly, no one was complaining about,” Stringer-Vaught said. “These celebrations were very special for marginalized people and to have them ripped out from under them at the last minute was very hurtful.”

Community Commencement speaker and author Willie Carver Jr. said canceling minority graduation ceremonies sends a message to students that they are not welcome or are inferior to other students.

According to Carver, creating a welcoming space increases inclusivity and helps marginalized students feel loved, reduces anxiety and promotes a healthier lifestyle.

“These young people heard a story that they weren’t welcomed and that they didn’t matter, a story that they’ve been hearing over and over,” Carver said. “I think it’s never been more important to tell them a different story, that they do matter and that they are important.”

Carver said events like Community Commencement “plant a seed” in students to resist legislation aiming to silence them.

With these events, Carver said he hopes the government will realize how influential citizens can be.

“Your story in its full context of showing up in spaces that did not always want you there, of staring down systems that try to intimidate you, of standing tall and using your voice in a world that asked you to sit down and be quiet,” Carver said. “It is so powerful that it terrifies the folks in power.”

UK fraternity Alpha Phi Alpha hosted “Senior Salute” at the Lyric Theatre and Cultural Arts Center on May 7 to honor students who were supposed to attend the Harambee Unity Graduation Celebration.

According to UK’s Office for Student Success, the Harambee Unity Graduation Ceremony, which was supposed to take place on May 8 for African American students, was designed to “recognize the diverse community of students at UK.” 

The event was created by senior integrated strategic communication major and Alpha Phi Alpha assistant district director Kristopher Washington, who said it was “disheartening” to see UK cancel DEI ceremonies so close to graduation.

Washington said he loves UK and understands the decision to disband DEI in compliance with the Trump administration. However, he says he worries for the new generation of students who rely on identity-based scholarships to pay for college.

As a William C. Parker Belonging Scholarship recipient, Washington said the scholarship money allowed him to receive an education and leave home, but now, he fears students will not have this opportunity.

“The fact that all of these DEI changes are happening to begin with is disheartening,” Washington said. “I gain my inspiration from the world around me… and I wouldn’t be the person I am without diversity.”

Washington said Senior Salute is not just to remind students that they belong, but also to create a place for them to belong at the University of Kentucky.

“I want students to see that there is a community that is supporting them, that’s here for them,” Washington said. “I hope the university sees how important DEI is.”

Bryson Fields, a master’s student in sports communication and Alpha Phi Alpha member, said having the Harambee Unity Graduation Celebration canceled at the last minute was “absolutely heartbreaking.”

“It’s heartbreaking to see the university take away the little opportunity that we (minority students) already do have,” Fields said. “It’s like a slap in the face.”

Fields said he would like to see the university stand up for its students, letting them know their concerns are heard and they are safe at UK.

“I believe the true leaders of history are not afraid to go against the grain … this is an important time where you would like to see our institutions back you, but unfortunately, we haven’t seen that.” Fields said. “I chose this university for a reason, and to not feel represented, it hurts.”