It’s not every day that a graduating high school senior is left stunned by their commencement speaker, but that is exactly how William Smith felt as he listened to Airbnb co-founder Joe Gebbia address Brookwood High School’s Class of 2022 on Wednesday night.

Gebbia, who himself graduated from Brookwood in 2000, was invited to speak at the school’s graduation ceremony. During his speech, he announced a big surprise for the graduating class: He was giving 22 shares of Airbnb stock to every member of Brookwood’s Class of 2022 to help them get their future off to a solid start.

I'm a Crawford Long baby who grew up in Marietta and eventually wandered to the University of Southern Mississippi for college. Earned a BA in journalism (double minor in political science and history). Previously worked in Florida and Clayton County.

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