Sheila Rayam Shares Three Valuable Lessons with Arts and Sciences Graduates at 152nd Commencement

Sheila Rayam, ’90, executive editor of the Buffalo News, delivered a moving speech to the graduating Class of 2024 during the School of Arts and Sciences afternoon Commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 18. Rayam addressed a full crowd in the Sports Arena for Buffalo State’s 152nd annual Commencement, during which the university conferred degrees on nearly 1,700 undergraduate and graduate students over three ceremonies.

Rayam imparted three lessons to students:

First: Be prepared to pivot and keep pushing, Rayam said. “Life doesn’t always go as we plan. Surprises will come. Some of them will be shocking. Adjust the plan and keep it moving.

“Expand your mind and your network,” she continued. “The degree that you’ve earned—that you have worked so hard for during your time here—will be a big part of your future success. But you’re not done learning. Keep expanding your mind and strengthening areas where you know you need work.

“Finally, trust yourself, even when you’re afraid,” Rayam said. “Listen, nobody knows everything. And nobody gets everything right all the time. You are going to make mistakes. Just know that you are stronger than you think, you are more prepared than you realize. Don’t doubt yourself.”

A graduate of Buffalo State’s journalism program, Rayam has worked in print media for more than three decades. She is the first Black journalist and the second woman to hold her position in the Buffalo News’ 144-year history.

Following is the full text of Rayam’s speech:

Good afternoon!

To the esteemed faculty, special guests, friends, and family and—most importantly—GRADUATES—thank you for having me here today.

Truth be told, I can’t believe that I was asked to give a Commencement speech. You should have seen my face when I received the invitation. I was like, “Uh…they want me?”

Allow me to introduce myself again: My name is Sheila Rayam, and I am the executive editor of the Buffalo News, a news organization that has informed readers for more than 140 years.

I am so honored to stand before you on this very special day—your special day! You’ve put in the work to make this day happen. The skills you’ve learned during your time here—the problems you’ve solved, the sleep you’ve lost—will help you be successful in the next phase of your life.

Cherish this moment. Celebrate what you’ve done to get here!

And don’t worry if you don’t have every aspect of life after graduation mapped out right now. I didn’t either. 

Trust me: you got this.

I remember my graduation day. Back then, my dream was to work at my hometown newspaper in Rochester, New York.

Three months after graduation, I received a call from an editor at the evening paper in Rochester. He was contacting me about an opening for an editorial assistant position, and he invited me to apply.

I applied, got the job, and my career in journalism began. I started out answering phones and typing in engagement announcements. I would get the chance to do some reporting and even review some hip-hop and R&B music. I was a staff music critic/clerk!

Eventually, I was promoted. I would go on to be a suburban reporter, features reporter, copy editor, opinion editor, and much more.

Back then, working your way up at one newspaper wasn’t the gold standard to developing as a journalist. You were supposed to move around to a few papers. But that wasn’t the path I chose, and I was determined to do it my way—and it worked. My graduation dream came true!

But it was no fairy tale. Not by a long shot. I learned lessons, some of them difficult and very unsettling. And I want to share three of those lessons with you.

As a young suburban reporter, I once had to visit a neighborhood that was reeling after a home invasion in the area.

My editor sent me to the neighborhood to get reaction from residents. I had never knocked on doors in this sort of situation. I was super uncomfortable. But I went and knocked on several doors. No one answered.

As I walked back to my car, a man came out of his house, waved, and talked to me about how he felt. He walked with me down the street and introduced me to a few neighbors who were standing outside.

I had a great conversation with that group. And as I was wrapping up the interview, one man wanted to reiterate just how shocking it was that something so awful had happened on their street.

He stressed that “This is really a nice neighborhood,” and then he said, “It’s not overrun by minorities at all.”

My reaction? I said “Mmm, mmmm, hmmm,” and I kept taking notes. I thanked them and I left, went back to the newsroom, and told my boss, who was visibly shaken by my story. She said she was sorry that happened to me.

I sat down, took a breath, and wrote my story. I didn’t let that shocking moment keep me from making my deadline. It could have—and it would have been understandable—but it didn’t. I was prepared to handle what happened thanks in major part to what I learned about reporting on this campus.

Life doesn’t always go as we plan. Surprises will come. Some of them will be shocking. Adjust the plan and keep it moving.

The next thing I want to share with you is this: expand your mind and your network. The degree that you’ve earned—that you have worked so hard for during your time here—will be a big part of your future success. But you’re not done learning.

I know you don’t want to hear about more studying today; I get it.

Just know this: even with three decades in journalism under my belt, I continue to seek learning opportunities that will help me be a better leader, story editor, and journalist.

Keep expanding your mind and strengthening areas where you know you need work. Look for opportunities to improve your skills, join organizations that are connected to your chosen profession. Stay curious and stay hungry for knowledge. Be a sponge and always work on perfecting your chosen craft.

Finally, trust yourself, even when you’re afraid. Listen, nobody knows everything. And nobody gets everything right all the time. You are going to make mistakes.

Just know that you are stronger than you think; you are more prepared than you realize. Don’t doubt yourself.

Don’t dim your light by hiding because you might not have all the answers and don’t want to get it wrong. You might get it wrong. So what?

Raise your hand, share your ideas. Be bold. You won’t grow if you do not try.

Trust yourself!

You got this.

Congratulations, Class of 2024.

Thank you.