Love & Hip Hop: NY star and businesswoman Erica Mena surprised the graduates of Unity Center for Urban Technologies by giving a commencement speech recently. According to a press release, Erica gave a passionate speech encouraging students to learn from her televised mistakes; while stressing the importance of chasing their dreams no matter the financial obstacles and negativity faced.
“We love Erica, myself and the student body can relate to HER story full heartedly! What she did for us today, will be remembered forever,” said Simone Dixon, senior class vice president, who invited Erica to speak.
During the speech Erica touched on her life, revealing she hadn’t received her diploma, but was inspired to do so after this revolutionary experience. She also shared other parts of her life as a mother, entrepreneur, model and creative before ending her speech.
“As you go through life, you’re going to make mistakes, but it’s not the mistake that counts, its how you bounce back! I’m not proud at the route I chose, but because of it I can stand before you today and deliver these words of wisdom. Learn from my story and remember life is what you make it. Where you’re from does not determine where you’re going. You are the creator of your destiny,” said Erica.
The financially restricted High School is mainly comprised of underprivileged minority students who weren’t able to enjoy prom due to the institutions lack of funds. When asked to attend, Erica saw the opportunity as chance to uplift spirits and grant students an alternative experience they would remember for years to come.
Source: Alicia Gooding and Jade Norfleet | The Code of NYC
I would have boycotted her a$$. Bish can’t tell my shyt and wouldn’t have been able too then
*me
They just letting any ole body do commencements huh
She gave the ICDC commencement speech… How nice
how? and what was she doing the whole time? mother****** this, ***k you, bitch, bitch, congratulations you son of b*****, you are the mother****** future, you hear me? and to all my heaux out here, you dont gotta be loyal. we don’t owe them ****. get cho money.
#fail
Interesting choice…
Well at least she trying I guess
Girl go sat on a dyke and STFU
I’m on mobile and can’t see well. Does she have on a dress with the sides cut out?
I’d demand a tuition refund. She wore her hoe dress to they graduation 
How dreadful
Ummmmm but she still doing the same mistakes …. On tv… For some shine…
@ pointhimout: I keep telling you kids those reality shows are scripted.
Girl go sat on a dyke and STFU
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God bless those students (no prom?)
I pray they can improve their lives/situations through education 
no comment on Erica
Who the hell still wears white forces A baby or your old school uncle. If you don’t know nothing about shoes just don’t even comment
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So only Charlie Wilson can wear ’em now?
So only Charlie Wilson can wear ‘em now?
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Hell yea, I prolly wouldn’t blink if my daddy wore them. I would still shake my head tho
A commencement speech full of grammatical errors from a high school dropout reality star with a violent temper. That’s rich. Poor chirren stay losing. Wishing them all luck.
San ah make ya dance says:
I would have boycotted her a$$. Bish can’t tell my shyt and wouldn’t have been able too then
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not if you graduated from Unity Center for Urban Technologies. wtf is a urban technology anyway?
Urban Technology = doing sew-ins on your porch, bagging up weed, and making crack from scratch with just the right amount of baking soda
they probably had a hologram of Steebie give the speech last year.
Up in here stirring the pot
Guess I’m the only one who feels like she made good points. Oh well.
Mistaken the one got me going off
Made it personal and shyt
Who booked her?
Like frfr. Let me go google this alleged school…probably graduation class of 3
not if you graduated from Unity Center for Urban Technologies. wtf is a urban technology anyway?
Urban Technology = doing sew-ins on your porch, bagging up weed, and making crack from scratch with just the right amount of baking soda
they probably had a hologram of Steebie give the speech last year.
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No male out of high school should wear brightly colored sneakers – so childish to me… graduate to some all white forces or a pair of dress shoes… dress your dang age – I mean you Mello, Mayweather, and that preacher man who came out in Camo pants
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Who the hell still wears white forces A baby or your old school uncle. If you don’t know nothing about shoes just don’t even comment
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I had to bring this upstairs
seriously the most accurate sn on the planet
But for dudes just rock some regular Nikes, maybe under armor tennis shoes or a casual shoe (non athletic) once you get of a certain age
wow……no words……
missyJ says:
I’m on mobile and can’t see well. Does she have on a dress with the sides cut out? I’d demand a tuition refund
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now you reaching. they probably take EBT in the bursar’s office
Speech actually sounded pretty good. And Erica finer than a motherphucka so I know people was tuned in to what she was saying and chit.
Now, watch some busted mofo come in here and say Erica is “average.”
pointhimout says:
how? and what was she doing the whole time? mother****** this, ***k you, bitch, bitch, congratulations you son of b*****, you are the mother****** future, you hear me? and to all my heaux out here, you dont gotta be loyal. we don’t owe them ****. get cho money.
#fail
But for dudes just rock some regular Nikes, maybe under armor tennis shoes or a casual shoe (non athletic) once you get of a certain age
Yep 45 maybe 40 Idk yet 
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Simone Dixon, senior class vice president
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Simone, you’re responsible for this?!
Wait, this is a high school?!?!?!
Nakeya_J or Keke thanks to Unshake says:
Guess I’m the only one who feels like she made good points. Oh well.
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Good points are good. But this is totally a do as a I say not as I do situation. Sadly many of the young ladies will aspire to do what she has shown them for 3 seasons and don’t give a damn what she’s saying about taking another path. Too bad Yandy or Tara the college grads couldn’t give the speech.
@man Erica is a cute girl. Its her crazy ways I have a problem with.
they probably had a hologram of Steebie give the speech last year.
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Nakeya_J or Keke thanks to Unshake says:
Guess I’m the only one who feels like she made good points. Oh well.
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Erica is a pretty hoodrat
Nice build a bear body and everythang
Erica is baddddd!
I feel so sad for these young babies, they really though Erica Mena was a good choice? Lawd help us… Auntie can we get some pics of Kelendria and her cute baby bump? ????
@bird I love you but are you serious? Yandy? Miss I married a drug dealer and bailed his no job having assout of jail? If she was quita from down the block, she would get no props.
I want some red sneakers so bad!
Erica looks like she stinks????
Just read Hanks back at home w/kendra and they’re going to work out their problems
If we all want to be honest, not one soul from LAHH should be trying to tell anyone anything. At all.
Too bad Yandy or Tara the college grads couldn’t give the speech.
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or that greasy girl tht Tami put her paws on. what was her name again?
she actually had a real career and a husband–no wonder they got rid of her so fast.
Man, I just don’t care™ says:
I want some red sneakers so bad!
Are you over the age of 18
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Nakeya_J or Keke thanks to Unshake says:
Guess I’m the only one who feels like she made good points. Oh well.
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I mean, I guess. It for sure wasn’t anything groundbreaking. Basically bounce back from your mistakes and don’t do as me.
That’s inspiring…I guess :confused:
@luvin Kendra better than me.
Man, I just don’t care™ says:
Now, watch some busted mofo come in here and say Erica is “average.”
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Hey, I already tole yall I done saw the girl in person and she’s drop dead gorgi. Looked dang near angelic with her perfect makeup. Unfortunately all that glitters ain’t gold.
f we all want to be honest, not one soul from LAHH should be trying to tell anyone anything. At all.
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@vdot I would not call it inspiring….but at least she knows she is crazy and is trying to not have people be like her. That’s what I got out of it.
luVn_liFe… says:
Just read Hanks back at home w/kendra and they’re going to work out their problems
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I really cant see why not. she seems like she would be into that freaky stuff. no telling what Hugh Hefner had her doing.
I feel so sad for these young babies, they really though Erica Mena was a good choice?
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That’s the worst part of the situation. That they really related to her and admired her. Chit’s scary.
@MAN
those dope red ones are going for $900; its bean brought to our attention if ur out of high school
You prolly should not wear them
She could’ve said what she said on VH1
Damn ghetto azz school – Erica bad attitude Mena is gonna uplift your kids… I eat chipolte flavored puccee is supposed to empower students…
@KeKe
Kendr is better than u/me both.
I would physically assualt his ass every time I looked at him
Lol @OpinionHated, oh Lordt
I stand by my word, Erica Mena looks like she has a BO
Kendra knew that man liked it up his poop shoot, she probably straps on. She’s just felt some kind of way getting blasted in the media
How yall gonna say that girls puss smell like Chipotle?! Just wrong!
Nakeya_J or Keke thanks to Unshake says:
@bird I love you but are you serious? Yandy? Miss I married a drug dealer and bailed his no job having assout of jail? If she was quita from down the block, she would get no props.
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Chile boo! I ain’t got no love for Yandy’s poor decision making. Let us not forget that me and her got into it because I said Mandeecees needs to try to stay out of prison for his family. But if you gotta use one of those reality chicks for a commencement speech a college grad would be a better choice than a high school dropout
who doesn’t know how to act.
Urban Technology?
Erica Mena 
is it a school for thot arts? im starting to put 2 and 2 together and I think its a school for hoes on how to improve your craft. gots to be. aint no other explanation.
they giving em degrees in :blow: now? which leads me to the smizing boy thats hugged up in that picture. he must be the test subject. thts why his ass so dam happy.
Chile boo! I ain’t got no love for Yandy’s poor decision making. Let us not forget that me and her got into it because I said Mandeecees needs to try to stay out of prison for his family.
my fault. 
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How did I forget that!?
luVn_liFe… says:
Just read Hanks back at home w/kendra and they’re going to work out their problems
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Their problems being who is going to keep the house and who takes what and how much support Kendra gone get? Ain’t no cure for hubby liking peen.
Kendra knew that man liked it up his poop shoot, she probably straps on. She’s just felt some kind of way getting blasted in the media
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and I semi cosign with this it maybe the fact that she was put on blast or the fact it wasnt her doing it!!!
My friends son graduated from there and posted pics with Erica on line. Sad sad day when someone like her is chosen to gove a graduation speech.
I am really trying to understand having reality stars make commencement speeches to young people graduating high school. Is there no one in their community that can do it? The majority of them didn’t even graduate high school. Then there are the ones who have a good enough degree (GED). These kids are going to think being successful is being ratchet.
Eye think Erica giving the speech was brilliant
Mona is reaching her target audience, making her look less ratchet and making coins all the way to the bank. Next school will want Heauxsaleen to speak and Mimi and Nikko on the error of fckng while hanging from a curtain rod on tape 
this story is as awkward as paying for gas with EBT.
What the hell???