Unlocking Potential: YO! Baltimore Graduates Shine Bright

On June 20th 2023, Youth Opportunity (YO) Baltimore held a special graduation event for members of the classes of 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023. The graduation ceremony, held at the Henderson-Hopkins School in East Baltimore honored 43 young adults who chose to pursue alternative education after facing challenges in traditional school settings.

Dozens of family members, community members, and YO! Staff members gathered to celebrate the graduates. The event featured a keynote from Darryl Green, a PhD Candidate in Morgan State University’s School of Social work and founder/executive director of Deep-Forgiveness calling for graduates to never give up on their dreams. We also heard addresses from graduates Damonte Barnes, and Rob Clark as well as a poem from graduate Trinity Knight. Their testimonies painted inspiring pictures of young people who have persevered and overcome the odds to be on stage that night.

As has become tradition, Eastside YO! GED Instructor Ms. Forrestine Eubanks shared an original poem for the graduates titled, “It’s Graduation Night” encouraging them to fly to new heights and thrive.

[excerpt from Ms. Eubanks Poem titled, “Graduation NIght.”]

YO’s Stars are out tonight

Spirits are dazzling, blazing bright

Like Angels in full flight

You’ve earned your wings -

Go fly

This is your graduation night...

The evening was full of applause and laughter and joy and awe. The sense of pride in the auditorium was palpable and everyone in attendance felt inspired for what this new beginning will mean.

We at HEBCAC are so proud of our YO! Graduates and can’t wait to see what they will do next.