Historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) were the talk of the town in Charlotte, North Carolina, as the city held its inaugural HBCU Festival. The festivities began on Wednesday, May 29 with a networking mixer, followed by four days of activities honoring the rich history and traditions of HBCUs.
On Thursday, May 30, attendees enjoyed a pitch competition, career fair, and inspiring keynote speakers. The following day, musical talents like Soulja Boy and Bow Wow took the stage to entertain the crowd. Saturday, June 1 featured a food drive, while Sunday, June 2 wrapped up the event with a special brunch and gospel concert.
The majority of the festival’s events were free to attend, with all other activities priced at under . Nasir Jones, an alum of North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University and one of the festival’s organizers, expressed the importance of bringing together the diverse cultures of HBCUs to raise awareness and support community causes.
Alumni from HBCUs throughout the southeast region showed up in solidarity to represent their schools and give back to their communities. Students who participated in the festival were entered into a scholarship drawing, with four lucky individuals receiving 00 each to assist with their educational expenses.
Overall, the HBCU Festival in Charlotte proved to be a successful and meaningful gathering that highlighted the significance of these institutions in today’s society.
