Homecoming season has arrived. It’s time to break out those old letterman jackets and your best alma mater paraphernalia because the time has come to rep your school!
Although homecoming can be an exciting time for any person proud of the institution they attended, HBCU homecomings hit differently. HBCU homecomings are more than simple events; they celebrate heritage, showcase pride, and testify to the enduring spirit of Black excellence. With the unfortunate news of the mass shooting at Morgan State University forcing the school to cancel its homecoming for the first time in history, it’s essential to shine a light on the importance of homecoming and the institutions throwing it.
My Foundation in HBCU Homecomings
These annual gatherings hold a special place in the hearts of Black women, specifically. My homecoming experience reminds me of how far I’ve come. When I first packed my parent’s car and headed to the illustrious Delaware State University in 2013, I didn’t know what to expect. Everyone always told me that college would be one of the moments I will never forget, but they didn’t prepare me for the transformation I would experience at an HBCU.
I went from going in as a young freshman girl who wasn’t entirely sure of herself and her identity to creating the foundation of what would be a powerful and career-driven Black woman. My HBCU experience prepared me to step into the professional world as a proud Black woman and in my interpersonal life. Going to an HBCU showed me my potential. This is what my HBCU homecoming brings back for me. I am reminded of my strength and resilience when I step on campus. Even better, I am surrounded by thousands of people experiencing the same reawakening as I am.
Black Women’s HBCU Homecoming Experience
Don’t just take it from me. The HBCU homecoming experience differs for each person, but it is a space where we feel welcomed across the board. The “home” aspect of homecoming slowly seeps into our veins as we approach campus each year. Journalist D’Shonda Brown says her experience of returning to her Spellman College home every year is more than a party.
“In school, you just think homecoming is all parties and activities. But homecoming is really for the alumni,” she explained. “You’re coming home. When I got a chance to go back to my first homecoming, post-graduation, with my best friend, it did hit differently because I got to see all my sisters, brothers from Morehouse, and friends from Clark. We really feel like, ‘wow, we made it,’ because college is no stroll in the park.”
That idea of having so many shared experiences with your peers is something that many HBCU alumni feel. Shanea Phillips, owner of New Jersey’s Brunch n’ Grind series and NCAT alumni, says her experience at homecoming is special. Rightfully so, North Carolina A&T’s homecoming is known as “the Greatest Homecoming On Earth” or GHOE.
“Homecoming means an opportunity to literally return home – to the place that transformed me into the woman I am today,” she shared. “It also means connecting with life-long friends and classmates and having a chance to step away from life as a working professional and turn up for the weekend. A&T has the best homecoming on earth; there is nothing like it. Aggie pride!”
Reflecting on Growth
The growth from attending an HBCU is insurmountable. As a Black woman, you are protected and consistently shown that your worth is in being alive. From there, you can stack on your different accolades and successes. But at the core, you are as Black as you want to be, and according to HBCU standards, that is enough for you to be somebody in this world.
“As a Black woman, homecoming signifies a celebration,” my fellow hornet alumni, Shynieka Taylor, an entertainment correspondent and TV personality, shared. “[It’s] a reminder of the hard work, sacrifices, and victories it took to not only shape who I am but to be where I am today.”
Black women who are products of an HBCU have always shown up and showed out! Taraji P. Henson, Phylicia Rashaad, Debbie Allen, Megan Thee Stallion, and more have shown the world what beauty an HBCU has! Take it from recent Hampton graduate and journalist Sherdell Baker, who will attend her first homecoming as an alumnus.
“Homecoming signifies to me the epitome of what the true definition of Black beauty looks like,” she gushed. “As a Black woman at an HBCU Homecoming, I feel safe and confident in how I dress, speak, and carry myself as I see so many women of all ages, body types, and styles at this event. Homecoming season also reminds me of what it means to be a part of a legacy.”
The importance of an HBCU homecoming for Black women cannot be overstated. It serves as a joyful reunion and a reaffirmation of the values that define these institutions. As we gear up for another homecoming season, remember their significance and cherish what ties us to our beloved HBCUs.