Verizon announces lineup for virtual commencement series


What you need to know:

  • Aisha Bowe, Ajay Banga, Alex Rodriguez, Bob the Drag Queen and Melissa Villaseñor to speak during Verizon’s “Ready for Anything” virtual commencement
  • Freestyle Love Supreme Academy to provide real-time, original compositions
  • “Ready for Anything” to stream on Verizon’s Twitter and LinkedIn on June 3 and June 17 at 11:00 a.m. ET

BASKING RIDGE, N.J., May 26, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Verizon today announced the lineup for its second “Ready for Anything” virtual commencement series. Launched last year after the pandemic brought in-person graduations to a halt, Verizon’s virtual commencement program features keynotes from a cross-section of leaders, entrepreneurs and entertainers offering their wisdom, wit and humour to 2021 graduates. Hosted by Yahoo Finance’s Julie Hyman, “Ready for Anything” will stream on Verizon’s Twitter and LinkedIn on June 3 and 17 beginning at 11:00 a.m. ET.

“While parts of the world are starting to transition back to limited in-person events, many graduates around the globe are still not able to celebrate together,” said Hans Vestberg, Chairman and CEO, Verizon. “This series is a way for us to connect with these graduating students and acknowledge their strength and resiliency.”

Freestyle Love Supreme Academy, the improvisational hip-hop comedy musical group founded by Lin-Manuel Miranda, will provide real-time, original compositions following each speaker.

The “Ready for Anything” lineup includes:

Thursday, June 3
Aisha Bowe, Former NASA Rocket Scientist, Entrepreneur and Global STEM Speaker
Alex Rodriguez, Entrepreneur and Baseball Legend
Bob the Drag Queen, Drag Superstar and Activist
Freestyle Love Supreme Academy

Thursday, June 17
Ajay Banga, Executive Chairman, Mastercard
Melissa Villaseñor, Actress and Saturday Night Live Cast Member
Freestyle Love Supreme Academy

About Verizon
Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ) was formed on June 30, 2000 and is one of the world’s leading providers of technology, communications, information and entertainment products and services. Headquartered in New York City and with a presence around the world, Verizon generated revenues of $128.3 billion in 2020. The company offers voice, data and video services and solutions on its award-winning networks and platforms, delivering on customers’ demand for mobility, reliable network connectivity, security and control. Verizon was the first company in the world to launch a commercial 5G mobile network with a commercially-available 5G-enabled smartphone. The company's operating structure focuses on three customer-facing areas: Consumer, Business and Media. Citizen Verizon is the company’s responsible business plan for economic, environmental and social advancement.

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Media contact:
Jason Shumaker
jason.shumaker@verizon.com