Emphasizing the Importance of Community for the 2023 Undergraduate Commencement Speaker
Yeremiya Wright, a native of Clifton, New Jersey, embarked on a new journey in Fall 2019 when he arrived at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) to explore the west coast and immerse himself in the School of Music. Little did he know that his first year would be disrupted by the global pandemic, forcing him to stay at home during the Spring quarter.
However, Wright returned to Los Angeles for the 2020-2021 school year, bringing with him a determination to make a difference in the UCLA community. As a founding member of the Student Advisory Board, Wright played a pivotal role in advocating for various initiatives, including expanding the Gluck Fellows program to an application process. The Gluck Fellows program, where Wright is also a member of the Gluck Vocal Jazz Ensemble, brings music to underserved communities around Los Angeles.
During the pandemic, Wright demonstrated his commitment to community building by organising Zoom sessions to help people meet virtually and stay connected. He also helped coordinate in-person social events to bring people back together as the pandemic loosened its grip on UCLA.
Wright's passion lies with people and community, and he is interested in bringing artists and their audiences together. This passion is evident in his role as business manager for Awaken Acapella, a co-ed UCLA vocal group, and his service as lead vocalist on the soundtrack of the recent feature film Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul.
Wright's achievements at UCLA do not stop there. He served as co-president of the Student Advisory Board, where he helped implement implicit bias training, and he has been a School of Music Troubadour, giving tours to prospective students and assisting during audition season.
As Wright prepares to graduate, he is returning to New York to perform. But his future plans include attending graduate school in arts administration, where he hopes to continue making a positive impact on the arts community.
In recognition of his contributions to the UCLA community, Wright was selected as the 2023 Undergraduate Student Commencement Speaker. His inspiring story serves as a testament to his dedication to community, arts, and leadership.
In the process of his leadership role at UCLA, Yeremiya Wright championed initiatives like expanding the Gluck Fellows program, which highlights music and community outreach, and serving as business manager for Awaken Acapella, all falling under the realm of entertainment and education-and-self-development. His lifestyle, marked by a strong commitment to community building, was further evident during the pandemic when he organized virtual sessions for people to connect and even coordinated in-person events as pandemic restrictions eased. His interest in music, combined with his dedication to the arts community, leads him to pursue a graduate degree in arts administration upon graduation.
