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So many colleges and universities tend to have extremely dated ways of engaging with their alumni. LaChanda Ricks set out to change that with FABA Fest, the For Alumni by Alumni Festival. FABA Fest’s inaugural celebration took place on the lovely island of Barbados from June 15 to June 18. The goal at its core was simple: to bring HBCU alumni together. As part of that objective, attendees gave back to the community in Barbados as well as enjoyed fellowship with one another across networks.

Of course, homecoming is something that is synonymous with HBCU culture. But what FABA Fest offers is a homecoming celebration that tangibly connects attendees with service opportunities in the community. Experiences that could be had weren’t limited to the curated events on the island — in addition, guests enjoyed a vacation with other Black alumni. Guests left the country as ambassadors of their respective alma maters. They can also now spread the culture of HBCUs and expose new generations and demographics to it.

Ricks said that the festival is truly her “love letter to her HBCU experience.” As a graduate of Howard University, Ricks stayed true to the principles of service that were previously instilled in her. What led her to choose Barbados as the locale for the first ever FABA Fest was Barbados’ connection to the United States, namely South Carolina. (When British settlers in Barbados left for South Carolina in search of more land, they brought enslaved people with them to the states. As is the case for many West Indian countries, Britain’s involvement in the slave trade remains glaring.)

When asked if FABA Fest will occur at another destination next year, Ricks said her goal was to “continue building strong relationships on the island [Barbados].”

Taking place on Juneteenth weekend, FABA Fest didn’t give attendees any time to rest on their laurels. Blavity staff members celebrated in the festivities, and from the start, it was a celebration of excellence, community and Blackness. The festivities began with a “Toast to Excellence” VIP rum tasting, courtesy of Mount Gay Rum. The evening soon transitioned into “Homecoming in Barbados,” an opening celebration held at the Copacabana Beach Club.

In the days that followed, guests attended pool parties and brunches on some of Barbados’ most lovely beaches. But one of the most impactful activities occurred at the Excellence in Service event. Vauxhall Primary School, located within Christ Church in Barbados, has been educating the community there since July 8, 1976. On April 4, the school was renamed the Shirley Chisholm Primary School. This was in tribute to Chisholm’s Bajan heritage, and the time she spent in their school system as a youth.

FABA Fest also brought an HBCU college fair to Barbados, right at the Shirley Chisholm Primary School. It was Ricks’ vision coming to life, and attendees witnessed the meshing of Bajan and HBCU culture. Students familiarized themselves with what is possible and attainable should they choose to continue their education in the states. With every iteration of this festival, it appears that guests can expect to see more and more community involvement.

This festival is dynamic, and it is in no way only limited to HBCU alumni. In fact, it’s truly an opportunity for all Black alumni to commune in a new and joyful environment. While many other higher education institutions lose the attention of their alumni networks, FABA Fest has created a way for Black alumni to give back to their communities and have a blast while doing so. With the success of the inaugural FABA Fest, Ricks and company will certainly be back, one mo’ gin.