Barack Obama, Michelle to headline YouTube's 'Dear Class of 2020' graduation event

YouTube is set to organise a virtual commencement celebration honouring high school and college seniors whose graduation ceremonies were canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. They are calling it the Dear Class of 2020.

In a positive move by the video-sharing platform, there is news that Barack Obama and wife Michelle will headline the ceremony by delivering commencement speeches. Additionally, Michelle Obama's Higher Reach initiative will host a full hour of content to kick off the celebration.

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The YouTube event will premiere on June 6 and will run for a couple of hours in the form of a live-stream. 

Talking about the event, Susanne Daniels, global head of content for YouTube, said in a statement: "Graduation is a tradition that students and families look forward to and with the current state of the world, YouTube is lending some inspiration in the form of a virtual commencement. We hope bringing together noteworthy, influential speakers along with performances from some of their favorite artists will provide encouragement for the students who have worked so hard to get here."

Apart from the Obamas, the other high-profile speakers include BTS, Lady Gaga, former Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates, Alphabet and Google CEO Sundar Pichai, former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Malala Yousafzai, Alicia Keys, Kelly Rowland, Kerry Washington, Chloe x Halle, Zendaya and YouTube creators Jackie Aina, AsapSCIENCE, Dude Perfect, Mr. Kate and The Try Guys. 

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BTS and others will also perform at a virtual grad night afterparty.

YouTube's announcement comes after other companies have shared adapted graduation plans due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Oprah Winfrey will deliver the commencement speech at Facebook's live-stream event on May 15, while other notable names — including Awkwafina, Jennifer Garner, Lil Nas X and Simone Biles — are also set to speak. Oprah Winfrey, Malala Yousafzai surprise graduates on John Krasinski's 'Some Good News'