Homecoming isn’t the only time to show your love for Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Although there’s nothing like coming home to your Alma Mater, there are so many wonderful opportunities to gather with your closest friends and family year-round to celebrate HBCUs. There is a huge amount of pride and tradition within every school, and when they come together it’s even more special. Whether you’re looking for events that celebrate sports, music or the culture of Black Colleges, there’s a little something for everyone in these classic gatherings, and the benefits include fellowship, supporting ongoing education through scholarships and making things better for current and future students.
Photo: The Washington Post
Some of these events, like The Florida Classic, are happening soon, so if you miss out this year, mark your calendars to start planning for 2018. Send this list to your friends and family and start planning which stop you’ll make first!
The Florida Blue Classic
Come check out the game this year on November 18 as FAMU and B-CU match-up at one of the biggest black college football games in the country. Sure there will be great football, but the event, which has been around since 1978, is also so much more than that. Come experience the community service, comedy shows, game and tailgate including a special VIP tailgate from Coors Light with special post-game performance by T.I. in Orlando!
The Bayou Classic
One of the biggest rivalries draws more than 200,000 people to the Big Easy New Orleans, a city that’s got plenty to explore any day of the year. It gets even more exciting when fans of Grambling State University and Southern University meet there during Thanksgiving Weekend. All week you can check out the parades, Battle of the Bands, Greek step shows, Coors Light post-game celebration with DJ Envy at Club XLIV/Encore and much more. Can’t make it to the game? Check your local listings to watch it live on the NBC Sports Network!
Photo: The Louisiana Weekly
HBCU Springcoming
Did you miss your homecoming in the Fall? This New York-based event is the perfect way to feel the positive HBCU homecoming vibes even during the spring. It’s a gathering of HBCU alums from all over who come together in the Big Apple to celebrate, give back in service, party and network. You can join in on the fun in NYC on April 20-22. You can enjoy some spades, tasty grilled food and basketball tournaments at The Yard, but if you’d rather discuss entrepreneurship and community building, there’s an event for that too. Check out this opportunity to rep your school every season!
Photo: Courtesy of Coors Light
Honda Battle of the Bands
Honda Battle of the Bands (HBOB) is a multinational platform for Historically Black College and University (HBCU) marching bands. Annually for the past 15 years, Honda has awarded $200,000 in grants for HBCU music education programs. The 16th annual HBOB Invitational Showcase will be held on January 27, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. Tickets are currently available online, and fans can stay updated by following #HBOB on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Photo: HBCUSports
Thurgood Marshall College Fund Annual Awards Gala
This year this gala is themed “Developing MInds… Delivering Dreams,” and plans to honor those who have helped to do both of those things for HBCU students. The Thurgood Marshall College Fund helps students access higher education that’s right for them. Last year’s event raised nearly $4.3 million in Washington, D.C. — it’s surely a powerful event to attend at least once.
National Alumni Council Leadership Conference and Alumni Summit
This annual conference brings together students, leaders and tons of other members of the HBCU community together to make decisions, stay engaged with the community and plan to keep HBCUs successful.
HBCU Graduations
Photo: obamawhitehouse.archives.gov
Graduations are a beautiful thing. To see your accomplishments all come together with your friends, family and fellow students by your side is a powerful feeling. HBCU graduations are lit. Whether you’re an Alum returning for a reunion or just a supporter looking to bask in some Black Excellence, seeing hundreds of students achieve their dream is a special occasion that everyone should experience at least once in a lifetime.
This post is brought to you in collaboration with Coors Light.
