2026 HOODING CEREMONY & COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY
Ceremonies to mark the conclusion of our graduates’ time in law school begin with the David A. Clarke School of Law Hooding Ceremony on Friday, May 8, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. and conclude with the conferral of degrees by President Edington at the University Commencement on Saturday, May 09, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.
Congratulations to the Class of 2026!
UDC Law School Hooding Ceremony Speaker Announced
Nkechi Taifa is a nationally recognized civil and human rights attorney, scholar-activist, and author committed to advancing racial justice and reparations. She is President and CEO of The Taifa Group LLC and Executive Director of the Reparation Education Project, Inc.
Taifa previously served as Advocacy Director for Criminal Justice at the Open Society Foundations, where she led national efforts on sentencing reform, reentry, and clemency. She founded the Justice Roundtable Coalition, helping to advance major federal legislation including the Second Chance Act and the Fair Sentencing Act, and contributed to the Obama clemency initiative that freed over 1,700 individuals.
A founding member of N’COBRA and an inaugural commissioner of the National African American Reparations Commission, Taifa is a leading voice in the reparations movement. She has testified before Congress, the United Nations, and other international bodies on issues of racial justice and human rights.
She is the author of the bestselling memoir Black Power, Black Lawyer and Reparations on Fire, along with numerous scholarly articles and children’s books, and delivered a riveting TEDx talk.
Taifa has received numerous national honors, including the DC Bar’s William J. Brennan Jr. Award and NACDL’s Champion of Justice Award, and has been recognized by Essence Magazine as one of “100 Woke Black Women Advocating for Change.”
She holds a J.D. from George Washington University Law School and is admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court.
Nkechi Taifa’s work continues to shape national conversations on justice, freedom, and reparations.
Honoring the Class of 2026: A Celebration of Excellence
UDC Law would like to celebrate you as you stand at the threshold of a remarkable new chapter. The culmination of years of rigorous study, perseverance, and purpose. The University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law is proud to honor your achievements during a weekend of historic and momentous ceremonies.
Commencement Weekend marks a pinnacle of academic and professional excellence. We begin with the David A. Clarke School of Law Hooding Ceremony on Friday, May 8, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. in the Theater of the Arts — a solemn tradition where graduate candidates are formally hooded, symbolizing their transition from scholars to practitioners of law and guardians of justice.
The celebrations culminate at the University Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, May 09, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, where President Maurice D. Edington will confer degrees in a ceremony that honors not only personal triumphs but the collective spirit of our university.
Together, these events comprise the Commencement Weekend. A once-in-a-lifetime celebration that honors your journey, elevates your accomplishments, and commissions you into a lifetime of leadership, service, and advocacy.
Eligibility to Participate
Graduates must be on track to complete degree requirements by the end of the Spring 2026 semester:
- 80 credits (if you entered law school before Summer 2023)
- 76 credits (if you entered law school in Summer 2023 or later)
This weekend belongs to you. A tribute to your perseverance and the bright future you will shape.
Commencement Weekend Points of Contact
- Ravaughn Pope (he/him), Assistant Director of Student Affairs
- Loretta Young-Jones (she/her), Staff Assistant for Student Affairs
- Chiquita Shields (she/her), Executive Assistant to the Dean (For Guests Needing Additional Assistance)
- Cassandra Bland (she/her), Law School Registrar and Director of Law Registration (For Degree Requirement/Completion Questions)
- Percy Henry III (he, him), Director of Student Life and Services (For Commencement Ceremony Questions Only)
Commencement Weekend Speakers
- University Commencement Address: The Walter E. Washington Convention Center at 801 Allen Y. Lew Pl., NW Washington, DC 20001
- Invocation and Benediction: Dr. Jeffery Fleming, Dean, College of Arts and Sciences
- SBA President Remarks: Craig Bass Jr.
- Hooding Ceremony Address: UDC Theater of the Arts at 4200 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008
- Student Speakers: Amber Mannie and Jasmine Wallace
Commencement Logistics
Requirements for Guests
- Each participating graduate is allowed to receive eight invitations and admit cards so that guests can attend the hooding ceremony.
- Tickets are required for admittance to the UDC Theater of Arts.
- Guests must have their tickets. (Please see Mr. Pope for questions)
- Children three and older will require a ticket. An adult must accompany children at all times.
Prohibited Items
Many items are prohibited from the UDC Theater of Arts, including:
- No Balloons!
- Metal, plastic and glass containers of any kind
- Backpacks and large bags over 14″x14″
- Large flags and banners
- Food and beverages
Commencement Weekend Rehearsals
The David A. Clarke School of Law Hooding Ceremony rehearsal will take place on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, from 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. in the Theater of the Arts Building. Attendance is mandatory if you want to participate in the David A. Clarke School of Law Hooding Ceremony.
The University Commencement Rehearsal will tentatively take place on Friday, May 8, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. Attendance is mandatory if you plan to participate in the University Commencement Ceremony.
Commencement Weekend Tickets
- The David A. Clarke School of Law Hooding Ceremony tickets are available. Each student will receive at least 9 tickets.
- The University Commencement tickets are available. Each participant will receive 8 tickets.
- Students who selected on their Intent to Participate Form will be emailed with instructions on how to access their tickets.
Law School Hooding Ceremony Logistics
The David A. Clarke School of Law Hooding Ceremony will take place on Friday, May 8, 2026, from 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
12:00 p.m.: Graduates participating in the event must arrive by and check-in with Student Affairs in the Black Box Theater
12:30 p.m.: Graduate Group Photo in Regalia at the Black Box inside of the Theater of the Arts and check-in with Mr. Pope.
1:00 p.m.: Faculty and University officials begin to arrive at the Theater of the Arts and check-in with Ms. Chiquita Shields.
1:00 p.m.: Theater of the Arts Doors open at 1:00 p.m. for ticketed guests only.
1:45 p.m.: Auditorium doors will be closing to allow graduate procession.
2:00 p.m.: Class of 2026 Hooding Ceremony Commences.
– Livestream and viewing options available at the Law School throughout the 5th Floor on a first come; first serve basis
Graduates’ Celebration Dinner
The Graduates’ Celebration Dinner will take place on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, from 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. in the UDC Theater. This special evening is dedicated to celebrating our graduating class and will include the presence of Dean Gilmore.
Please note that this event is reserved for graduates only. Attendance is limited to those who have RSVP’d to Mr. Pope.
Class of 2026 Photo
The Class of 2026 class photo will take place immediately before the David A. Clarke School of Law Hooding Ceremony on Friday, May 8, 2026. Graduates must arrive by 12:00 p.m. in the Black Box to take their group photo followed by lineup for the procession.
Important Dates & Timeline
- Friday, May 8, 2026 – 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. – David A. Clarke School of Law Hooding Ceremony at the Theater of the Arts Building. Graduates must arrive by 12:00 p.m. to the Blackbox Theater at UDC Theater of the Arts for group photo and lineup.