The former President, Barack Obama, in a virtual graduation address to the class of 2020, gave out three pieces of advice to this year's students: don't be afraid, do what you think is right, and build a community.

"America's gone through tough times before ... and each time we came out stronger, usually because of a new generation, young people like you, learned from past mistakes and figured out how to make things better," he said.

Speaking about doing what you think is right, Obama said in part, "I hope that ... you decide to ground yourself in values that last, like honesty, hard work, responsibility, fairness, generosity, respect for others. You won't get it right every time, you'll make mistakes like we all do. But if you listen to the truth that's inside yourself, even when it's hard, even when it's inconvenient, people will notice. They'll gravitate towards you. And you'll be part of the solution instead of part of the problem."

Lastly, on building a community, the former President said, "No one does big things by themselves. ... If we're going to save the environment and defeat future pandemics, then we're going to have to do it together.

"Stand up for one another's rights. Leave behind all the old ways of thinking that divide us — sexism, racial prejudice, status, greed — and set the world on a different path," he added.
Obama closed out his remarks with, "Congratulations, Class of 2020. Keep making us proud."