It’s on You Now

Written & Performed by: Aitina Fareed-Cooke

For Buffalo State University for the First-Year Convocation (Class of 2028)

August 23, 2024

First and foremost I want to let you know that 

I am not here to convince you that this road towards success will be easy 

I am not here to sell you on the fact that Buffalo State University is reputable in building strong successful leaders

My assumption is that you did your research on us and you decided this was the place you wanted to be

Or maybe your parents pushed you 

Maybe a family member calls this place their alma mater

And you wanted to try it for yourself

Either way you are here and I’m just here to tell you the truth

The truth of the matter is that it is on you now

It’s on you - I know. I understand.

This was a shocking development that I realized mid journey of my first year here back in 2004 - yes, 20 years ago 

Yes, I know I don’t look like it 

But I’ve driven on a road similar and I’ve tripped 

Fell, failed and found that some advice just didn’t work for me

It just wasn’t practical

I was not in the position to want to be convinced 

I just wanted the truth 

And I really just wanted to win

For me it was a matter of proving to myself

That I could rise above the labels that were placed on me

Like “Failure to thrive”

“Emotionally handicap”

“Foster child” “Insubordinate”

I come from displacement 

A mother who I lost to substance abuse disorder

The odds were against me

But because of my community and the opportunities they provided

Even beyond that - Because of my willingness to accept the support

I developed a want and desire for more

I wanted to see what could happen if I tried

Through my pursuit of winning I lost often

I even had to leave this place due to unwise decisions 

I withdrew - I failed

Went through the darkest side of life 

Sat within a puddle of disappointment 

Depression and suicidal thoughts were my acquaintances 

I am not here to convince you that the road to success is easy

No, this road will be tough  

That’s because life is

But that is also the beauty in it

That toughness will supply you the muscle to endure

If you allow it 

But I get that you knew that already

Being that your class has been through the most difficult moments in modern history 

You don’t need me to remind you 

But at least let me applaud you because for the most part 

Many of you were just getting comfortable in high school until our world went wild

Some of you may have felt forgotten, unheard

Some of you lost loved ones

Some of you were displaced

I'm so sorry

But look at this - look at you - you are here now

You pushed and persevered 

Through that time you have gained

Much of what it takes to make these next years work for you

It’s on you now

That’s just the truth 

I am not here to convince you that our administration

Staff and professors are the best in the country

Though many of them are from my experiences

I am just here to tell you the truth

That you are more likely to succeed if you establish healthy relationships with them

The truth is that they are human too

Please don’t forget that

At times you may catch them on an off day

Please reciprocate the extension of grace

Actively listen 

Speak up and advocate for yourself when it is necessary

But please be tactful in your approach

To win doesn’t mean that every move you make will be perfect

What is perfection

Who is perfect

We are imperfect people

As long as you don’t position your imperfections as excuses

Mistakes will be made

But with every step you take may you become all the more fascinated

With the power of rising above

I didn’t win when I walked across the stage and accepted my degrees

I won because I endured the journey

I won because I was afraid but didn’t allow it to suffocate me

I won because in the midst of my failures I stood back up

There were moments where I didn’t spend the time

To dust myself off I just got back in there

I won because I wasn’t the same person when I walked across that stage

I was more - more equipped - more knowledgeable

I gained a new level of thinking

I designed the framework of who I wanted to be in relation to what this world needed

Someone with dignity, honor, respect, servitude 

Someone who desired change and began to change on the inside

In order to exude the change that I wanted to see 

Someone who is Fokus’d. So be Fokus’d.

Fokus’d first letter…

“F” - Build a Firm foundation saturated in values and beliefs

“O” - Be optimistic even when things may not look too promising

“K” - Be knowledgeable - educate yourself with both lived and learned experiences

“U” - Be unwavering in the midst of the steepest mountains that life often presents

“S” - Be Strategic, have a plan and be proactive

“D” - Be dedicated, disciplined and determined through the process

For those of you who are afraid 

Don’t allow fear to hold you hostage

Do it afraid

But tame the fear

Tame the anxiety

Tame the imposter syndrome

Tame the uncertainties

I am here to tell you the truth 

That though it’s on you now

We are here 

With you and for you

In your corner

On your side

We got your back

Because for us it is imperative that you succeed 

Your success determines the amount of strength we will have within our society 

It’s not just about the lessons you will learn within the lecture halls

But it will be the valuable lessons you gain from life itself

We are grateful that you chose this place to allow your ideas to flourish

The place where your passion and purpose can thrive

The place where your education can shape you into the leader that you envision

Yes it’s on you now

I don’t believe you need to be convinced 

You just need enough push

Just enough support 

You will need just enough grit, grind and grace

To carry you forward on this road towards success

It’s on you now 

Be ready for it

You got this

And we got you

Now all you have to do is go win