Beyonce thanked graduates for "using their collective voice" to support the Black Lives Matter movement in an emotional online speech on Sunday.
YouTube's global virtual graduation ceremony, Dear Class of 2020, took place after universities closed their doors amid Covid-19 concerns.
The singer was joined by other big names such as Alicia Keyes, Lady Gaga and former US president Barack Obama.
There were no actual scrolls to hand out, but plenty of pearls of wisdom.
Beyonce recognised 'real change'
The first lady of pop, Beyonce, gave kudos to scholars for their qualifications, which she said arrived "in the middle of a global crisis, a racial pandemic and worldwide expression of outrage", referring to the protests around the death of George Floyd.
"And you still made it. We're so proud of you," she declared.
She went on to thank graduates everywhere for spreading the word that "Black Lives Matter".
"Real change has started with you, this new generation of high school and college graduates we celebrate today," she added.
The Grammy-winning star also took aim at sexism within the music industry and beyond, and signed off with a shout-out to marginalised groups.
"Your queerness is beautiful, your blackness is beautiful, your compassion, your understanding," she beamed.
"Your fight for people who may be different from you is beautiful."
Fellow singer Alicia Keys also used the streaming platform to acknowledge the efforts of protesting students. "I see you. You're unstoppable," she told them.
Lady Gaga can't wait to see what new 'seeds' students sow
Lady Gaga admitted she had written her speech two weeks ago but had to give it a re-write in light of recent events.
An emotional Gaga declared there is "much to be sad about, [but also] there is much to be celebrated".
"You are watching what is a pivotal moment in this country's evolution. You're watching society change in a deeply important way," she declared.
The singer compared contemporary America to a forest, "planted with racist seeds".
"It's you who are the seeds of the future" she told the alumnus, calling on them to continue to change perceptions about race, as they begin their new lives.
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Image copyright Beyonce/YouTube
