The HBCU Homecoming Experience

While many university homecomings come and go without much notice, homecomings at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) are annual events that everyone circles on their calendars. These weeklong festivals often include alumni reunions, appearances by major celebrities, late-night parties, and great food. (If you haven’t gone on a tour of the food tents at an HBCU homecoming yet, you’ve missed out).

Homecoming at historically Black colleges and universities provide space and time to connect or reconnect with friends, the community, and, more broadly, Black culture.

While it is difficult to pinpoint a precise beginning to HBCU homecomings, the modern alumni-centered event surrounding a fall football game dates to at least Morehouse College’s celebration in 1924.

HBCUs undoubtedly had alumni events before this. But over the years, homecoming has grown beyond the football game itself and alumni reunions. It’s become a series of multi-day events that occur off and on campus, central to the HBCU experience and culture.

Homecoming is a highly anticipated event where different generations of HBCU students and alumni students and alumni connect forge relationships.

HBCU students have the chance to showcase their talents and connect to Black culture — past and present — at weeklong festivities. Students can learn firsthand about the history of their university and the surrounding communities.

“My first HBCU homecoming was in 2016, my freshman year of college,” said Aaron Johnson, a Morehouse College alum. “I had never seen that many Black people enjoying themselves in one place. Every corner of our campus was packed with alumni, celebrities, politicians, and current students — all celebrating a shared experience of going to an HBCU, which was awesome.”

Homecoming, as many have described, is a kind of family reunion, where alumni come back to give back and reconnect to their alma mater. Meanwhile, students celebrate Black excellence — past and present — and build deeper connections to their campus community and the broader alumni network.

Homecoming is planned by alumni, coordinated between friends, and prepared for — particularly monetarily — throughout the year. HBCU alumni make it a priority to enjoy themselves and recharge from the day-to-day grind of postgraduate life.

Alumni involvement in homecoming is vital to HBCU culture. However, it also is beneficial for students and the university. Especially successful alumni often come back to speak at events and to classrooms as role models and mentors.

For alumni, it’s also a chance to give back to the university.

For the university, homecoming is an important fundraising time. In fact, it may be the most important fundraising period for a school. Major donations are often made to the university. These donations are celebrated at halftime of the homecoming football game.

Alumni from the “Divine Nine” — the original Black fraternities and sororities — often donate large sums of money for scholarships. These donations can be vital to the financial standing and success of the university.

However, an HBCU homecoming experience is more than just donations and alumni reliving their glory days. It’s also a celebration of Black excellence and Black culture. And a way to build community across generations and geographies.

Each HBCU has its own unique traditions — the Lighting of the Sign at North Carolina’s Winston-Salem State University, for example. However, there are a number of elements of an HBCU homecoming that should be familiar to all HBCU alumni, students, and fans.

Decorations begin to go up the weekend before homecoming week. This marks the start of festivities and fills the community and campus with anticipation for the events ahead.

This is followed by activities, classroom alumni visits, and intense practice sessions held by HBCU marching bands and other organizations performing during homecoming week.

The campus is alive with “strolling” fraternity members, block parties, and tons of food. There are many popular events to experience and enjoy. These include the homecoming parade, the coronation (the ceremony for the homecoming king and queen — and their court), fashion shows, step shows, and often a music festival with high-profile celebrity performers.

By the time the football game — with its highly anticipated halftime show — starts on Saturday, the campus is packed with alumni, students, and fans. When not at the game, many can be found standing in lines at the food tents. Music, the aroma of food, and school pride fill the campus space as people tailgate and file into the stadium.

Looking to get involved in an HBCU homecoming celebration? The best way to be part of the festivities is to join an on-campus organization.

Most organizations on HBCU campuses participate in homecoming. They may serve as sponsors for events like the fashion show, homecoming parade, or annual car shows.

Fashion show: If you love to strut your stuff, consider auditioning to model for the fashion show.

Student government: Join the student government association, and you could be on a student homecoming committee.

Greek life: If you are already thinking about or part of a fraternity or sorority, then join your organization’s homecoming steering committee.

Homecoming is at the center of HBCU culture and the HBCU experience. This event creates important cultural spaces. Homecoming celebrates Black joy and connects the past, present, and future of the HBCU, Black culture, and Black excellence.

Depending on your talents and interests, there are many ways to get involved with this annual celebration.