CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) – Maryland Gov. Wes Moore told Johnson C Smith University graduates to lead unapologetically and unafraid during the university’s 153rd commencement ceremony Sunday.
More than 200 JCSU graduates filled Bojangles Coliseum for the ceremony. Moore, Maryland’s first Black governor and currently the only Black governor in America, delivered the commencement address.
Valedictorian overcomes challenges
Valedictorian Jayden Petrus graduated at the top of the class. He had maintained A’s since he was in 6th grade. He said he experienced pain during his time on campus.
“I left all my friends in California – football wasn’t going well – everything was at a slump, so I hit rock bottom. I was completely depressed,” Petrus said…