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- Homecoming Hit Different This Year 💚
Homecoming Hit Different This Year 💚
From breaking barriers to healing together — this week’s HBCU stories prove the yard’s heartbeat never fades.
In partnership with
Hey Fam,
Whew… what a homecoming season. 🏟️ From stadium turn-ups and drumline chills to moments that made us pause and pray, this week’s headlines hit every emotion.
But that’s the beauty of the HBCU experience — we celebrate, we show up, and we keep moving with pride and purpose. Let’s get into it 👇🏾
🎬 Keke Said What She Said!
When Keke Palmer dropped the trailer for Southern Fried Rice, Twitter (okay, X 👀) had opinions. The HBCU-themed show sparked convo about representation, creativity, and storytelling. Keke kept it real: “It’s about identity and connection — not division.”
🏈 “First Take” Turned Magic City Classic Into a Whole HBCU Block Party
Stephen A. Smith brought the ESPN crew to Birmingham — but the real stars were the bands, the Greeks, and the fans. The Magic City Classic broadcast looked like one big family reunion with microphones.
🕊️ Heavy Moment at Lincoln University
A shooting during Lincoln University’s homecoming left one person dead and several hurt. 💔 Students have since gathered for a Day of Healing and campus leaders are doubling down on safety and community care.
📱 HBCU Creators Running the Internet, Period.
From TravQue’s skits to Janerika Owens’ ESPN glow-up — these seven alumni turned campus hustle into digital dominance. Proof that when HBCU grads go online, culture goes viral.
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🎺 FAMU’s First Female Drum Major = History in Motion
Say hello to Oluwamodupe “Dupe” Oloyede, the first woman ever to lead FAMU’s iconic Marching 100. She’s Atlanta-raised, DeKalb-made, and now holding the whistle at the most legendary band in HBCU history.
💭 “I can’t be anyone else’s version of a head drum major — I’m here to serve the program that made me.”
📌 Why It Matters: Because when Dupe took that field, she wasn’t just leading a band — she was shifting a legacy. For 80 years, the Marching 100 symbolized precision, pride, and power, but her presence adds something new: possibility. ✨
Internship Highlight: Dow Jones | OPIS Data Analyst Internship
Turn numbers into narratives. Join Dow Jones & Co. next summer to work with real-world data that powers global markets — and get paid while you do it.
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⏰ Deadline: Nov 15 2025
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👉🏾 Visit our Career Hub for more job opportunities!
Scholarship Spotlight: TMCF | Enterprise Access HBCC Scholarship
Community-college fam, this one’s for you! The Thurgood Marshall College Fund + Enterprise Mobility Foundation are dropping $1,500 scholarships for students making moves and maintaining that 2.75+ GPA.
📅 Deadline: Jan 16 2026
💰 Up to $1,500
🎓 Open to: Full-time students at TMCF member schools
🔗 Apply Here →
👉🏾 Visit our Scholarships Page for more HBCU scholarships!
Upcoming Event: HBCU+ Entrepreneurship Virtual Conference
Big ideas only 🚀 — Bowie State University is hosting its 5th Annual HBCU+ Entrepreneurship Conference, exploring AI, Deep Tech & Innovation. Expect student founders, investors, and changemakers dropping gems all day.
📅 Nov 7, 2025 | 10 AM – 4 PM EST
📍 Virtual (Hosted by Bowie State University)
💰 Free w/ registration
🎤 Theme: “Charting New Frontiers: AI & Innovation”
👑 Morgan State Alumna Ivy Harrington Takes the Crown at Miss USA 2025
Ivy Harrington, former Morgan State basketball captain turned communications pro, is officially repping New Jersey at Miss USA 2025 — and doing it with major HBCU pride. 🏀👑
After making waves on the court and in the classroom, Ivy’s now gracing national stages, proving that Black women from HBCUs shine wherever they stand.
💭 “If a young girl sees me and feels like she belongs — that she’s seen, valued, and capable of anything — then I’ve already won.”
💭 Her Vision: To show that beauty, brains, and purpose can coexist — and that representation matters from the court to the crown.
💡 Her Impact: From Morgan State to Miss USA, Ivy’s redefining what it means to wear a crown — leading with faith, confidence, and that undeniable HBCU grace. ✨
📸 IG Post of the Week
Straight from the Yard 👉🏾 Each week we’re pulling one of our favorite moments off IG to keep the culture in your inbox. Don’t just peek—make sure you’re following so you never miss a vibe.
🏆 She Kicked Her Way Into the Record Books!
Nina Schiks became Mississippi Valley State’s first female scorer after going 4-for-4 on extra points during the Delta Devils’ 49-0 homecoming blowout. 🏈💅🏾
✨ Why it matters: Because “you play like a girl” just became the highest compliment on the field. Nina’s milestone is proof that HBCU women are changing every game they step into. 💪🏾🏆
Hip-Hop Meets Tech at Howard 🎤💻
The 3rd Annual Hip Hop Studies Conference at Howard University is about to merge beats with bytes. Tap in for panels, performances, and convos on how AI and innovation are shaping the next era of the culture.
📅 Nov 14–16, 2025 (Fri–Sun)
📍 Howard University | Washington, DC
💰 $0 – $55 (Early-bird ends Oct 31)
🏨 Hotel Hook-Up: Discounted rates @ Eaton DC & Hyatt House w/ code MYHIGO
🗣️ Let’s Hear It: How’d this week’s roundup hit? |
That’s the Roundup, fam. We laughed, we cried, we danced in the rain (and at the tailgate 😅).
No matter what the headlines say, the heartbeat of HBCUs stays the same — proud, loud, and full of love for the culture. 💚✨
— Team HBCU Lifestyle