Jada Sayles received her degree at the hospital hours after giving birth on graduation day in New Orleans.
Sayles reportedly had her baby on May 14, the same day of her graduation from New Orleans-based HBCU Dillard University. The school’s president, Dr. Walter M. Kimbrough, took a trip to the hospital to award the young woman with her degree the following day.
Kimbrough took to Twitter to write a post about the touching moment, alongside a video clip recorded by his wife, Adria Kimbrough. Sayles’ family was also in attendance for her special day.
“Jada went into labor on Friday evening,” Kimbrough wrote. “[She] Texted me around 4:30 am Saturday saying she was being admitted, & the baby was born on her graduation day, May 14th. So we rolled up to the hospital so I could finish my tenure in the most special way. #myDU.”
Jada went into labor on Friday evening. Texted me around 4:30 am Saturday saying she was being admitted, & the baby was born on her graduation day, May 14th. So we rolled up to the hospital so I could finish my tenure in the most special way. #myDU pic.twitter.com/JieETrXVgy
— Walter M. Kimbrough (@HipHopPrez) May 15, 2022
The proud mommy and Dillard grad also took to her Twitter page to shout out her university for bringing her graduation to her hospital room.
“I thought I was gonna walk across the stage to get my degree,” she wrote. “Instead, I got my baby. My sweet face decided to make his way on MY big day (now his). Shoutout to my university for still bringing my graduation and degree to me. Ima college graduate & mommy, talk to me nice!”
I thought I was gonna walk across the stage to get my degree, instead I got my baby. My sweet face decided to make his way on MY big day (now his). Shoutout to my university for still bringing my graduation and degree to me. 🎓 Ima college graduate & mommy, talk to me nice! 🎉 pic.twitter.com/3KyVReqyUJ
— Jada S. (@JadaSayles) May 15, 2022
Sayles’ post included sweet pictures of herself dressed up in a cap and gown alongside Kimbrough, holding her newborn and another of herself and the infant moments after giving birth.
“Black Girl Magic,” “Anisa 11:11,” and “Easton,” her beautifully decorated graduation cap said.
Her now alma mater is a Black private liberal arts faith-based university founded in 1930 after incorporating earlier colleges founded as early as 1869. Dillard University is affiliated with the United Church of Christ and the United Methodist Church, and its notable alumni include legendary actor and comedian Garett Morris.
