In a commencement speech for Philadelphia Public Schools’ virtual graduation on Tuesday morning, former Eagle Malcolm Jenkins urged high school graduates to use their voices and work toward change in their communities.
While Jenkins re-joined the New Orleans Saints this offseason, Philadelphia is still his home and the school district thought his devotion to the community made him a perfect choice as a speaker.
“I consider Philadelphia my home and there isn’t a city in the world that understands and embodies grit, determination and perseverance than Philadelphia,” Jenkins said.
Jenkins began his 9-minute speech by telling the graduates he was proud of them and that it’s OK to be hurt, outraged and frustrated by the world right now. The class of 2020 has had their senior year derailed by COVID-19 and is now watching protests across the city and country in the wake of George Floyd’s killing.
Jenkins, 32, has been an advocate for racial equality and police and criminal justice reform for years. In recent weeks, Jenkins has been among the protesters in Philadelphia.
Anything worth fighting for takes hard work,” Jenkins said. “When the world told the Philadelphia Eagles that we couldn’t win that world championship, we came together as a team, as a community and a family to battle day in and day out, practice, strength training, watching film, talking to each other, our coaches in meetings every day. And you, our strong Philadelphia community, cheered and supported us to victory.
“So I also want you to think hard about your voice. And that your voice matters. Not only the Eagles, but Philly is known for its grit and determination. The community leaders, the clergymen, the community organizers that I’ve been fortunate enough to meet in my lifetime have motivated me and inspired me to get involved and get our neighbors to strengthen our community. The past few months — from the pandemic to the tragic deaths of George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor, among many others — have brought our communities together to voice that change is needed and we can be a part of making that change possible.
“It is our civic duty to understand who’s making decisions on our behalf and letting them know what is important to us, to have a safe community, one that offers us employment, housing and resources in good times and in times like this when we need our police to work alongside us. And when they fail, they are held accountable to the full extent of the law, like every other citizen. One of you could be our future mayor, the president of the city council or the police commissioner. That might seem far away but what you can do now is register to vote, talk to your parents or another trusted adult and use your voice to make our community the way you want it to be. You do have this power. And I hope every single one of you uses it.
The big announcement from The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation on Tuesday was the creation of the Power Pathway Academy, a digital career readiness program to provide youth ages 13-23, including those not college bound, with skill training and exposure to different career pathways.
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The goal of the program is to connect youth to culturally diverse role models and digital skills required in the workforce.
Jenkins is now a member of the New Orleans Saints, but has pledged that he’ll continue to do his charitable work in Philadelphia. That continues with his foundation and now this new program.
“I’m hopeful today,” Jenkins said. “Because as I look across our country and our city, I see millions of people on one accord coming together. I can feel our country’s eyes opened even if we’ve had to shake her from her slumber. I’m hopeful because of all of you. I can’t wait to see what each of you does.”
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