CSULB's 2022 Cultural Celebrations honor graduates' unique journeys

Published May 20, 2022
Trusted Outcomes

Cal State Long Beach’s Cultural Graduation Celebrations, held in addition to the traditional Commencement ceremonies, have been a staple at The Beach for decades.

Some 1,500 graduates took part in the nine ceremonies, which included: American Indian, Black/Pan-African, Cambodian, Chicano/Latino, Lavender, Pacific Islander, Pilipino, Undocumented and Vietnamese. The intimate celebrations were held May 14-18.

“The Cultural Graduation Celebrations at the Beach provide an identity-based space where students are with others who understand the unique journey they took to reach this milestone,” said Pamela A. Lewis, Senior Director of Multicultural Affairs & Inclusion, who co-chaired the celebrations with Anna Nazarian-Peters, Interim Director of Student Life & Development.

The celebrations “acknowledge the hard work, commitment and sacrifices our BIPOC/LGBTQIA+ students and families have made to continue their resiliency in accomplishing their academic achievements," Nazarian-Peters said.  

The key, added Lewis, is the students “are celebrating their accomplishments with their family and friends.”

Photo Galleries

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American Indian Celebration

Singers perform at the 2022 Native American Cultural Celebra
A person in traditional regalia poses at the 2022 Native Ame
A graduate at the 2022 Native American Cultural Celebration

Black/Pan-African Celebration

Graduates dance at the 2022 Black and Pan African Commenceme
Students pose from the crowd at the 2022 Black and Pan Afric
A family huge their grad at the 2022 Black and Pan African C

Cambodian Celebration

A woman in regalia poses at the 2022 Cambodian Cultural Cele
A family poses with grad at the 2022 Cambodian Cultural Cel
A graduate poses with her diploma at the 2022 Cambodian Cul

Chicano-Latino Celebration

A crowd of graduates at the Chicano/Latino Graduation Celeb
A graduate stands out among the crowd at the 2022 Chicano/La
A woman dances while wearing a red dress with stripes of man

Lavender Celebration

Grads pose in front of the Pyramid at the 2022 Lavender Cult
A crowd of graduates poses at the 2022 Lavender Cultural Ce
A student speaks at the lectern of the 2022 Lavender Cultur

Lavender Celebration photos by Fabian Rubio.

Pacific Islander Celebration

A grad applauds at the 2022 Pacific Islander Cultural Comme
A grad receives his diploma at the 2022 Pacific Islander Cu
Grads raise their hands at the 2022 Pacific Islander Cultura

Pilipino Celebration

A proud graduate poses at the 2022 Pilipino Cultural Commenc
A man plays a stringed instrument at the 2022 Pilipino Cultu
Grads applaud at the 2022 Pilipino Cultural Commencement

Undocumented Celebration

A woman plays a stringed instrument at the 2022 Undocumented
A student speaks from the podium at the 2022 Undocumented Gr
Students play instruments at the 2022 Undocumented Graduatio

Vietnamese Celebration

A graduate dances at the 2022 Vietnamese Cultural Celebratio
A view of two Vietnamese Graduation Celebration participant
A family photographs at grad at the 2022 Vietnamese Cultural