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With this school year's commencement season at an end, all of us at the Goldhirsh Foundation and LA2050 congratulate the graduates of the Class of 2025 and their families!

We’re marking the occasion by releasing a new installment of what’s become an LA2050 blog tradition: A run-down of some of our favorite recent commencement speeches from colleges and universities in Los Angeles. 

This year, we’ve selected filmmaker Jon M. Chu, musician Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, educator and author Dr. Bettina Love, and CSUN communication studies graduate Désirée Kiva Powell. Read more and find links to their respective remarks, below.

Jon M. Chu | University of Southern California

On May 15th, USC School of Cinematic Arts alum Jon M. Chu took to the stage and addressed the 2025 USC graduating class as their main commencement speaker. Chu touched on the necessity of community in an ever-changing world. He focused on storytelling as the best navigator in an unprecedented time, and how the graduates’ job is “not simply to inherit a world, but to reimagine it and set the foundation for who we are moving forward.” He encouraged students to redirect their imagination away from worry and to embrace all the mistakes and flaws that led them to this point in their lives, emphasizing that the best stories are written alongside community. “You will go through tough times. Terrifying times even,” Chu said. “But your beautiful brain will figure out creative ways to get out of it. And your ferocity will get you through it.”

Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson | Loyola Marymount University

Academy Award-winning filmmaker and multiple GRAMMY Award-winning Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson of The Roots joined the Loyola Marymount University graduating class on May 17th as their main commencement speaker, sharing four guiding practices that he said provided him with the resilience to grow amidst adversity. Drawing from his personal experience, Thompson stressed the importance of gratitude, daily habits, conscious breathing, and movement as means of alleviating the anxieties of uncertainty and the physical toll of unprocessed emotions. He encouraged students to “dig deep” and noted that “the stuff that changes your life is usually buried under your biggest fears,” underscoring the power of self-affirmation. “Transformation begins with how you talk to yourself,” he said. “Flip that question, ‘Am I good enough?’ into, ‘I

On May 19th, 2025, author, academic, and educator Dr. Bettina Love addressed the doctoral graduates at the USC Rossier School of Education. Dr. Love also urged graduates not to confuse credentials with wisdom, and to always stay true to one’s community because “education without accountability is empty, and knowledge without application is wasted.” In her final remarks, Dr. Love encouraged graduates to center love and community in every endeavor. “A degree is what you bring into this world,” she said. “And that degree also asks you to give back, reflect, and keep learning.

On May 19th, CSUN Communication Studies graduate Désirée Kiva Powell addressed her class of 2025 peers at the university’s commencement for the Mike Curb College of Arts, Media, & Communication. Sharing some of her own life’s triumphs and tribulations, Powell reminded graduates that when you are down the only way to go is up: “Mistakes are always an opportunity to grow, and messing up is how you really learn.” As Powell reminisced on her educational journey and her experiences as a single mom of two, she highlighted the importance of learning to be happy and present.

To all the recent graduates who are stressing about their next steps or worrying about their future, embrace both the sweet and sour moments of your journey. In the wise words of Désirée Kiva Powell, always remember that “life should be lived… if you dare!”

 Four of Our Favorite LA Commencement Speeches: 2025 Edition 

Come join our team as the Social Media and Communications Coordinator. 

Our mission at the Goldhirsh Foundation is to identify the brightest emerging talent from this diverse metropolis, and beyond, and plug them into the tools to best support their success. We fund social innovation efforts across these three areas: opportunity, sustainability, and activation, with a particular focus on Los Angeles County. 

The Goldhirsh Foundation is looking to add an enthusiastic and proactive team member to serve as Social Media and Communications Coordinator. The position reports to the Director of Communications.

The position is currently remote, but this may change. A candidate who is based in the Los Angeles County area is required.

The Goldhirsh Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive staff team. We strongly encourage applicants who are people of color, LGBTQ+, women, people with disabilities; and/or formerly incarcerated people.

Play an active role in building our brands across various social media platforms, including:

Creating and scheduling content for Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn

Engaging and interacting with our social media communities

Conducting research to identify new platforms and trends in social media to help grow each of the brands

Monitoring social media analytics, and using them to inform strategies

Strengthen the brands through traditional communications and marketing, including:

Creating videos (depending on the candidate)

Updating media lists and press contacts, and conducting research to identify aligned outlets

Pitching to journalists, bloggers, and influencers

Writing and editing short- and long-form articles, newsletters, and blog posts on behalf of LA2050 and the Goldhirsh Foundation

Assisting in planning, outreach, programming, and logistical support of and at events

Curating articles related to the Goldhirsh Foundation and/or LA2050’s interests

Staying up to date on happenings in the social impact and philanthropic sectors, with particular attention to Los Angeles

Making regular updates to the LA2050 and Goldhirsh Foundation websites, using our CMS, and monitor website analytics

Additional duties, as assigned, including administrative tasks

Exceptionally well-organized with strong attention to detail

Professional experience in a field related to social media, communications, journalism, filmmaking, public relations, or similar

Interest in the social impact and/or social innovation field, including non-profit organizations, foundations, corporate social responsibility, or social enterprises

Experience in an administrative support capacity

Exceptionally well organized with strong attention to detail

Spanish language ability not required, but is a plus

WE’RE LOOKING FOR THE FOLLOWING EXPERIENCE, ATTRIBUTES, AND STYLE:

An organized individual who is able to handle many tasks simultaneously and calmly

A clear and concise communicator who conveys confidence and enthusiasm when communicating to partners, grantees, vendors, and colleagues

Detail-oriented and organized with an adaptable, entrepreneurial nature in order to work with a variety of partners and stakeholders

A flexible and enthusiastic approach to work, including the humility and grace to work effectively with others whether completing large or small tasks

Proficiency and speed in completing tasks and a high sense of urgency

Initiative-taking ability and resourcefulness

Eagerness to learn and grow within the position

A sense of humor, and appreciation for a team dynamic that is fun, social, and intensely dedicated to results

An interest in social innovation, philanthropy, and how the two relate to Los Angeles

Send resume, cover letter, and links to writing, social media, and video work (if applicable) that you’ve done to 

This is a full-time, exempt position, with full benefits. The pay range for the position is $60,000-$75,000, depending on expertise and experience.

Join Team LA2050 as the Social Media and Communications Coordinator

This report highlights the trends we observed in the 2019 My LA2050 grants challenge and looks at how local leaders, nonprofits, volunteers, government entities, and businesses are working together to make Los Angeles a better place for all. (For a pdf version, 

LA2050 Blog

Report on the 2019 My LA2050 Grants Challenge