Bambadjan Bamba Inspires at Fullerton College Commencement
From ESL student to graduation speaker, he recalls his passion and fires up the class boldly
Reshmi Das has over four years of experience as a content writer, covering parenting and films. She writes for Hollywoodjunction and Momjunction. Her interest in journaling and writing made this biotechnology postgraduate to take up content as her full-time profession.
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Image: Instagram
Actor and immigrant-rights advocate Bambadjan Bamba took the podium at Fullerton College this spring as the guest speaker for the school’s graduation ceremony. In a heartfelt address, Bamba drew on his own days as an English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) student, recalling how his passion once led a classmate to quip, “Who the heck does he think he is…MLK?”
A Journey From Esl To Stage
Born in Côte d’Ivoire, Bamba moved to the U.S. at age eight and learned English in middle school. Wrestling with vocabulary and pronunciation only deepened his drive, setting him on a path to acting—and activism. He’s since appeared in major films including Black Panther and produced the Netflix documentary Amend: The Fight for America. Alongside his screen work, he’s built a reputation as a fearless voice for immigrant communities.
Igniting The Graduates
Bamba acknowledged that he doesn’t presume to match Dr. King’s legacy—or face the same sacrifices—but he does cherish “the gift…the fire to ignite others to fearlessly chase their dreams.” He pledged to use that fire “until the day I die” and challenged the class to pursue “bold, unapologetic, purpose-driven” lives. On Instagram, he shared a shot of himself at the podium (https://www.instagram.com/p/DJ7JXvsS8FT/), capturing the energy of his opening remarks.
A Memorable Speech
His talk blended humor with practical advice on public speaking—skills he’s honed on red carpets, film sets, and community forums. Mid-speech, as he recounted the awkwardness of his first presentations, he invited graduates to think of the most powerful address they’d ever heard, prompting both laughter and reflection.
Activism Beyond The Stage
Offstage, Bamba has been vocal on immigration issues. In a recent post decrying mass deportation orders in Los Angeles, he called on allies to stand with families at risk of separation, using the hashtag #stopmassdeportations. He’s also lent his voice to DACA and TPS debates, urging empathy and policy reform. His advocacy extends to supporting ESL education and mentoring programs, amplifying the stories of newcomers who, like him, arrived not knowing the language but certain of their potential.
As he wrapped up his remarks, Bamba turned to his audience one last time: “What’s the most powerful speech you’ve ever heard? Drop it below.” It was more than a closing line—it was an invitation for ongoing conversation, echoing his own journey from shy newcomer to seasoned communicator.
Bamba continues to balance film and television roles with his activism. He’s developing a series highlighting immigrant storytellers, an effort that underscores his belief that every voice deserves its moment in the spotlight. When the ceremony ended, graduates walked away not only with diplomas in hand but with a renewed sense of purpose—exactly the spark Bamba set out to provide.
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