There’s nothing quite like Homecoming at a Historically Black College or University. As the beloved HBCU Homecoming comes to an end for this year, it’s the perfect time to look back at some favorite moments that make the festive time so iconic. Alumni and current students come together to celebrate the legacy of their respective institutions through various events and traditions like concerts, sports games, crowning Homecoming Court, and more. Here’s a time capsule or scrapbook to warm your heart.
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HBCU Homecoming Court
Howard University Homecoming Court
HBCUs take campus royalty very seriously. From campaigning to holding pageants and attending coronation balls, students gear up every Homecoming season for their chance to be one of the faces of their beloved institution.
The Howard University Royal Court cheered on their fellow classmates at the Bison Madness pep rally.
North Carolina Central State Miss Homecoming
Beverly A. Smith was crowned North Carolina Central University’s Miss Homecoming on year in the 1960s.
Mr. and Miss Jackson State University
Joshua Edwards and Naomi Harris were elected Mr. and Miss Jackson State University for the 2022-2023 school year. This picture is from the 2022 Homecoming Coronation.
Claflin University Homecoming Court
These three ladies made up South Carolina’s Claflin University Homecoming Court one year in the 1950s.
Florida A&M University Homecoming Court
Miss FAMU 1960 sits on her throne surrounded by other runner-up queens for Homecoming!
Jackson State University Homecoming Court
During Homecoming week, Miss JSU Eunette Gentry wore white and stood alongside Miss Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, and Senior in 1997.
Allen University Homecoming Court
Wyndell Davis was crowned Miss Homecoming for Allen University in 1959. She stands with President Frank Veal and Miss Jeffery during the Homecoming Coronation.
Howard University Homecoming Court
The 2016-2017 Howard University Homecoming Court and President Dr. Wayne A.I. Frederick and Simone Frederick hold hands as they sing on the field during the Homecoming game halftime in 2016.
Homecoming Concerts
Spelman and Morehouse College
One of the highlights of Homecoming week is the many concerts for students and alumni to attend!
Offset surprised students and performed at the Spelman and Morehouse Hip Hop concert in 2023!
LL Cool J
In 2004, rapper LL Cool J had students going wild during his performance before doing the coin toss to start the Homecoming football game.
Cardi B
In one of the biggest years of Cardi B’s music career, 2017, the rapper performed at Jackson State University for Homecoming.
Jacquees
R&B singer Jacquees took to the stage at Baltimore, Maryland’s Coppin State University Homecoming concert in 2018.
THEE Gospel Explosion
Jackson State University hosted “THEE Gospel Explosion” concert to kick off Homecoming in 2023.
Rick Ross
In 2018, rapper Rick Ross hit the stage at Coppin State to perform at their Homecoming concert.
Lil Wayne
Who wouldn’t absolutely love going to a Lil Wayne concert? The rapper shut down the Jackson State University stage in 2017.
Homecoming Parades
North Carolina Central University
During Homecoming week, schools put together elaborate floats (or just sit on the hoods of decorated cars) to represent various campus groups!
In 1967, North Carolina Central University’s student union and dining dall participated in the school’s Homecoming parade.
Claflin University
South Carolina’s Claflin University opened its Homecoming parade in 2000 with a banner stating the week’s theme, “Preserving Claflin Pride In The 21st Century.”
Prairie View A&M University
Miss Prairie View A&M University sat with fellow classmates on the College of Engineering float during the Homecoming parade in 1984.
Bowie State University
Maryland’s Bowie State University marching band strutted around campus during the 2007 Homecoming parade.
Claflin University
Who needs a float? Miss Claflin University and her runner-ups sat on the front and roof of a decorated car during a Homecoming parade in the 1980s.
Jackson State University
The Jackson State University cheerleaders and Sonic Boom marching band filled the streets of Jackson, Mississippi streets during the 1970 parade!
Prairie View A&M University
In 1984, the Prairie View Color Guard put on a show on L.W. Minor Street as they participated in the Homecoming parade.
North Carolina Central University
Miss North Carolina Central University Kia Hardy looked beautiful as she sat on this grand Homecoming parade float in 1992.
Elizabeth City State University
North Carolina’s Elizabeth City State University marching band showed their school pride in the 2004 Homecoming parade!
Gameday
Howard University and North Carolina A&T University
All of the week’s activities lead to gameday! One of the most anticipated sports days of the HBCU school year is Homecoming which features an appearance from the campus royalty, tons of alumni and students, and an explosive halftime performance!
In 2016, Howard University’s football team played against the North Carolina A&T Aggies for their Homecoming game!
Howard University
Howard University’s marching band showed up and showed out during the school’s halftime in 2016.
Jackson State University
The iconic Jackson State marching band, known as “Sonic Boom of the South,” is getting ready to perform at the Homecoming game in 2010.
Howard University- Bison Madness
Howard University’s Showtime Marching Band and Ohh La La at the Bison Madness kicks off basketball season and Homecoming week! This photo is from the 2023 Bison Madness.
Howard University
Bryce Harris, a student at Howard Univerisity, dunks at the Bison Madness game during Homecoming 2023.
Howard University
Howard University’s Marcus Dockery participates in the Bison Madness shooting contest in 2023 during Homecoming.
Xavier University of Louisiana
Xavier University Of Louisiana competing in their basketball Homecoming game in New Orleans.
Greek Life
Morgan State University
One of the most important parts of some alumni’s Homecoming week is seeing their fellow sorority and fraternity members!
Alumni and members of Kappa Alpha Psi enjoying a classic tailgate party at the Morgan State University Homecoming game in 1993.
Jackson State University
The 2002 Delta Sigma Theta members of Jackson State University at the 2023 Homecoming.
Claflin University
Sorority members sit atop a Kappa float in Claflin University in the school’s Homecoming parade in the 1960s.
Xavier University of Louisiana
Kappa Alpha Psi members: Fred Henley, Charlton Bivins, Ted McField, Walace Davenport, Randall McHenry pose at Xavier University of Lousiana’s Homecoming tailgate.
Jackson State University
Members of Delta Sigma Theta are all smiles at the 2023 Jackson State Homecoming.
Celebrities Stop By Campus
Jackson State University
Not only will students and alumni get to reunite on the special week in the fall semester, they might also run into a celeb!
Magic Johnson taught Jackson State University students about career paths and choices during Homecoming in 2019. Here he snaps a picture with the campus royalty!
Bethune-Cookman University
Hillary Clinton made her way through a crowd of students and alumni at the Bethune-Cookman University Homecoming game in 2016.
Jackson State University
Kirk Franklin stopped to take pictures with students and alumni at Jackson State’s Homecoming in 2017.
Howard University
Mascots are celebrities too, right? Howard University’s mascot, the Bison, gears up to pose with students and alumni at Homecoming.
Campus Mascots
Xavier University of Louisiana
Xavier University’s mascot, Gold Digga, takes a picture with XU alum Gina Smith in 2019.
Jackson State University
Jackson State’s Wavee Dave Tiger was ready to show some school pride with Miss JSU in 1997.
Family and Friends
Morgan State University
Homecoming is all about the memories! Having the opportunity to come back to your beloved campus to see the people you love is like no other feeling.
Morgan State University alumni reunite on campus for Homecoming in 1992.
Spelman College
Spelman College’s student events planning committee. P.U.L.S.E, stand together for the Homecoming Talent Show in 2023.
Xavier University of Louisiana
Brenda Alexis, Angela Pierre, Gina Smith, and Kim Bishop pose with their “Eyes on XU” sunglasses at Xavier’s Homecoming in 2016.
Morgan State University
Sheila Dobson and Don Dobson share a cute moment at the Morgan State Homecoming in 1993.
Spelman College
Current Spelman student Ashé Kelsey and her alumnae aunts Riba Kelsey and Rimani Kelsey-Rogers reunite at Market Friday during Homecoming in 2023.
Xavier University of Louisiana
It’s a family reunion! Larry Bishop, Tia Bishop, and Kim Bishop were all smiles for Xavier University’s Homecoming in 2023.
Spelman College
Spelman College alumnae Nyeelah Matthews, Brielle McDaniel, Jasmine Jenkins, and Whitney Barr reunite for the SpelHouse Homecoming in 2023.
Morgan State University
Alumni Paul Homes and Pete Pompey pose at Morgan State University Homecoming in 1993.
Spelman-Morehouse College
Morehouse student, Christian Pearson, and Anastasia Salem hang out on Spelman College’s campus in 2023 during Homecoming.
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