JOTAKA EADDY TELLS CLAFLIN GRADUATES “YOUR JOURNEY IS JUST BEGINNING” DURING CLAFLIN UNIVERSITY’S FALL 2024 COMMENCEMENT CONVOCATION. ​

"As you prepare to step into your next chapter,  I want you to remember these three things," said Jotaka Eaddy at Claflin University's Fall 2024 Fall Commencement Convocation on Friday, Dec. 13, at the Jonas T. Kennedy Health and Wellness Complex. Eaddy delivered the keynote message to a capacity audience, including more than 150 graduates who earned bachelor's and master's degrees. Eaddy is an award-winning strategist, advocate, host, and connector who Forbes Magazine describes as
the "Olivia Pope of Silicon Valley."

"Number one, you are enough," she said. "Look at the person beside you and say you are enough. You are enough.  I beg you not to let comparison steal your joy. Your path will not look like anyone else, but simply your path. And it's important for you to stay true to who you are so that when people are looking for you, they'll be able to find you. Be authentic and be unapologetic about your greatness.  Second, you did not get here by yourself. Lift as you climb. You see, success is hollow unless you lift."

With more than 20 years of experience in policy, advocacy, and movement building, Eaddy is a highly sought-after speaker and strategist whose accomplishments include her trailblazing election as the University of South Carolina's first Black Woman Student Body President. Her groundbreaking work led to the abolition of the juvenile death penalty in America through the 2005 landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision in Roper vs. Simmons.

Eaddy also created the Hashtag #WINWITHBLACKWOMEN that inspired 44,000 women to participate in the Zoom call to provide financial support for Vice President Kamala Harris's historic presidential campaign. She talked about how two members of Claflin's Board of Trustees made the event possible after she discovered the campaign had exceeded the platform's capacity to handle the volume of participants.

 As the Founder and CEO of Full Circle Strategies, LLC -, Eaddy leads a team of individuals committed to advancing transformative change and global impact for clients seeking to advance policy, ideas, and change. Her clients and work have included advising Oprah Winfrey and OWN Network's award-winning OWN Your Vote Campaign.

"Graduates of 2024, your journey is just beginning," Eaddy said.  "You are stepping into a world that needs your brilliance, compassion, and unapologetic pursuit of excellence. You will have challenges,  but you were built to withstand them. The world will not always be fair, and there will be times when you will witness the unjust.

But don't let that stop you. And, when you get knocked down, remember to get back up stronger and wiser.  And as you leave Claflin University and step into your next chapter. Remember, stay rooted in your values,  stay rooted in your community,  and stay rooted in your purpose. Water your dreams with persistence,  patience, and faith."

Claflin President Dr. Dwaun J. Warmack told the graduates they had achieved one of the most important milestones in their lives.

"Today is the culmination of years of sacrifice, dedication, and commitment, so I say to you, congratulations, Fall Class of 2024,” he said.

Warmack mentioned several students who required special assistance with their academic or financial responsibilities in their journey toward earning a degree and how they received the support they needed from administrators or faculty members.

"Our students come in at multiple ends of the spectrum, but we do everything in our power to see them through the finish line," he said before asking faculty members to stand.

"These are our professors. There would not be a graduate class in 2024 if it wasn't for these individuals, "Warmack said. "We're excited about the graduates, but none of this could happen without these folks pouring into them. It doesn't matter how they come in, it's about how they finish."

Among the graduates was Janice Culp, who, at 63, is the most senior member of the Fall Class of 2024. Culp, who hails from Lancaster, S.C., works at CM Tucker Nursing Care Center in Columbia, S.C. She overcame several eye surgeries to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.  Claflin's nursing program, which launched in 2016, had 55 graduates – more than any other program in the Fall Class of 2024.

Nevaya Morgan, an early childhood education major from Summerville, S.C., earned valedictorian honors. Morgan, who had a 3.85 GPA, delivered the Senior Challenge to the graduating class.

"Our classes, professors,  and our time at Claflin University taught us the power of resilience, the importance of asking for help when needed,  and a realization that success is not about never falling, but always getting back up," Morgan said.  "The road ahead may not be smooth, but we are already prepared and can overcome anything life throws our way. The challenges we will face in the near future are not obstacles -- but opportunities to continue to learn, grow, and evolve." 

A special feature of this year's commencement convocation was the recognition of the Silver Class of 1999. The impressive group of distinguished alumni was introduced during the program and received silver diplomas prior to the convocation.