HOUSTON – It’s homecoming season for most historically Black colleges and universities across the nation, and many are making plans to travel to their beloved alma maters to celebrate culture, tradition, and educational excellence (if they haven’t already).
Texas Southern University and Prairie View A&M University, two of the Lone Star State’s biggest HBCUs, are celebrating what may be two of the biggest homecomings in years, following the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Many may see the school pride and the social media posts from alumni bragging about their colleges, but what some don’t know are the reasons why homecoming is such a celebratory time for these schools.
What is an HBCU?
Historically Black Colleges and Universities, also known as HBCUs, are institutions of learning established before the Civil Rights Act of 1964 that were originally founded with the purpose of educating Black Americans. According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, the term HBCU was created as a federal designation during the 1986 reauthorization of the Higher Education Act of 1965, which expanded federal funding for colleges and universities. While most HBCUs were founded after the Civil War, the oldest one in the nation, Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, was founded in 1837.
Sense of fellowship and networking
While homecoming is undoubtedly a fun experience, the annual event is much more than that. This is a time when alumni go back to show their school spirit while pouring into the current student body. Most HBCU students or alumni have stories of meeting others from their school just by wearing a shirt or simply mentioning their school’s name at work, during interviews, or in a casual setting. The HBCU community is one that consists of important connections, genuine relationships, and overwhelming support. You may come back from these events with a new career opportunity or a valuable mentor, if you play your cards right.
Fun, food and music
In addition to getting to know valuable alumni, homecoming at an HBCU is filled with incredible fun, delicious food while tailgating, and music, whether it’s at a concert thrown by the school or classic tunes you can hear while walking across the campus to see everyone on “the yard.” This is a time for joy and happiness! Take it all in and use the time to unwind and escape your everyday worries and/or responsibilities. This is also a time when people of all backgrounds, no matter what degree or career they may have, can just simply be themselves. We are a family.
Football
What’s a homecoming without a good football game? Rival teams can battle it out on the field for bragging rights and recognition. And while a win is what we all want, there can only be one winner. But the day will still continue with more fun and fellowship, no matter the outcome.
It’s Halftime!
The game itself is important, but another part of homecoming that’s just as important, if not more important to some people, is halftime. Some of the greatest HBCU bands across the country also get their time to battle it out with attention-grabbing and electric performances that often consist of incredible renditions of your favorite, most popular songs. Any HBCU alumni would agree that this part of the homecoming experience (really any HBCU game) is crucial!
Divine Nine organizations
Some of your favorites and heroes, including Martin Luther King Jr., Barbara Jordan and Vice President Kamala Harris, are not only HBCU graduates, but they were also a part of Divine Nine organizations. Founded as early as 1906 with the first Black Greek-letter organization being Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., these organizations continue to use their pillars, programmatic thrusts, and morals as a way to not only shape colleges everywhere but pour into Black and underprivileged communities across the globe. These organizations were initially created to help Black students form a strong sense of community and support amongst each other as they were oftentimes banned from being able to join other organizations due to segregation and racism. Divine Nine organizations include:
- Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity: Founded in 1906 at Cornell University
- Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority: Founded in 1908 at Howard University
- Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity: Founded in 1911 at Indiana University
- Omega Psi Phi Fraternity: Founded in 1911 at Howard University
- Delta Sigma Theta Sorority: Founded in 1913 at Howard University
- Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity: Founded in 1914 at Howard University
- Zeta Phi Beta Sorority: Founded in 1920 at Howard University
- Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority: Founded in 1922 at Butler University
- Iota Phi Theta Fraternity: Founded in 1963 at Morgan State University
Collectively known as the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), these impactful organizations were founded as a way to uplift, give back to and elevate the Black community through service and programs that have yielded transforming results over several years. D9 organizations are about more than stepping, wearing the colors and being clothed in the symbols. They often give back during homecoming with donations and scholarships to the university, among other things. This is also a time for members of each organization to come together and celebrate the years they’ve been in their organizations, the org chapters’ progress and other victories. While these organizations are historically Black, prospects of any race, religion or background are welcome to join if extended membership.
Happy homecoming to every alumni or student from a historically Black college and/or university! Party hard, be safe and remember to continue to celebrate Black excellence.
Did you or someone you know attend an HBCU? Let us know in the comments!