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- 🎓#GradSzn Continues: HBCU Wins, Lessons & Moments That Hit Different
🎓#GradSzn Continues: HBCU Wins, Lessons & Moments That Hit Different
From campus headlines to commencement wisdom, here’s what shaped the HBCU world this week.
In partnership with
We kicked off #GradSzn last week — and the energy is still here. Campuses are wrapping the semester, seniors are soaking in their final moments on the yard, and everybody’s starting to look ahead.
This week’s roundup continues that grad-season vibe — celebrating wins, holding space for the tough moments, and sharing lessons that last well beyond the cap and gown.
Let’s get into it.👇🏾
🎶 HBCU Bands Took Over Atlanta
Southern University and Miles College claimed national titles at the Red Lobster Band of the Year competition inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Southern’s Human Jukebox secured its first-ever Division I title.
🕊️ Kentucky State Mourns After Fatal Shooting
One person is dead after a shooting near a residence hall at Kentucky State University. Officials confirmed the suspect is not a student and has been arrested. Support services are available as the campus community grieves.
🙏🏾 HBCU President Reflects on Life After Transplant
Livingstone College President Dr. Anthony J. Davis received a kidney transplant after months of dialysis, calling it a second chance at life — and leadership.
⚖️ Lawsuit at UMES Draws National Attention
A former white professor’s discrimination lawsuit at UMES has escalated into a legal back-and-forth involving plagiarism claims and a $1M defamation suit.
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🎓 #GradSzn Spotlight: Ariel’s JSU Journey Was Bigger Than the Band
Meet Ariel, a senior communicative disorders major from Dallas, TX — and the only woman drum major of Jackson State’s iconic Sonic Boom of the South.
From her first days at JSU band camp to leading the Boom in front of packed stadiums, Ariel says Jackson State didn’t just shape her college experience — it shaped who she’s becoming. Her journey blended discipline, leadership, and purpose, all while balancing academics and one of the most demanding band programs in the country.
💭 “Jackson State didn’t just prepare me for the field — it prepared me for my future.”
💡 Why It Matters: Ariel’s story is proof that HBCUs don’t just graduate students, they build confidence, discipline, and direction.
Ogilvy Summer 2026 Internship Program
Ogilvy is now accepting applications for its Summer 2026 Internship Program in New York City and Chicago, offering paid, hands-on experience across creative, strategy, and business teams.
📍 Locations: NYC & Chicago
🕒 Duration: 10 weeks (Hybrid: 3–4 days in-office)
💰 Pay: $20–$25/hour
🎓 Eligibility: Undergraduate juniors; U.S. work authorization required
🎯 Roles Include: Account Management, Strategy, Analytics, PR, Media, Social, Design, Copywriting, Art Direction, Production
🔗 Apply Now →
👉🏾 Visit our Career Hub for more job opportunities!
HBCU Week ChangeMaker Scholarship
The Michael S. Purzycki ChangeMaker Scholarship awards $10,000 to a Delaware high school senior attending an HBCU and demonstrating academic achievement and financial need.
💰 Award: $10,000
🎓 Eligibility: Delaware residents; minimum 3.0 GPA; entering freshman year at an HBCU
📅 Deadline: February 16, 2026
📝 Use of Funds: Tuition, room, and board
🔗 Apply Here →
👉🏾 Visit our Scholarships Page for more HBCU scholarships!
HBCU Band & Dance Camp 2026
The HBCU Band & Dance Camp returns to Memphis, TN, offering students exposure to college bands, dance programs, and HBCU culture through performances, workshops, and college readiness programming.
📅 Dates: July 8–10, 2026
📍 Location: Memphis, TN
🎶 Includes: Band & dance workshops, college tours, fairs, and HBCU Signing Day
🎓 Jemele Hill Told GSU Grads Exactly What Time It Was: Bet on Yourself
Jemele Hill didn’t sugarcoat a thing at Grambling State’s Fall 2025 Commencement — and that’s why it hit.
The Emmy Award–winning journalist and founder pulled up with a message grads needed in this moment: your degree matters, your voice matters, and nobody gets to tell you otherwise. From cracking jokes to calling out the tired “college isn’t worth it” narrative, Hill reminded GSU grads that HBCUs don’t just hand out diplomas — they build confidence, clarity, and courage.
💭 “Always, always bet on you.”
💭 Her Vision: Hill wants HBCU grads to move with ownership — of their talent, their stories, and their future. No shrinking. No second-guessing. Just belief and bold moves.
💡 Her Impact: Her words landed far beyond the ceremony, affirming the value of HBCU degrees and giving grads permission to walk into the next chapter with confidence and purpose.
📸 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.
🏈 Four Overtimes. Zero Quit. An HBCU Game We’ll Never Forget
Listen… the Celebration Bowl really said “y’all gonna remember this.”
South Carolina State and Prairie View A&M went to war, and after four overtimes, the Bulldogs edged it 40–38 to claim the HBCU National Championship.
We’re talking backup QB heroics, big-time throws, a missed field goal that had everybody holding their breath, and a two-point call that decided the whole thing. This one came down to inches, heart, and who had a little more left in the tank.
💡 Why It Matters: This is why HBCU football hits different. Two programs put everything on the line and delivered a classic that’ll live in Celebration Bowl history.
🎓 2026 Annual National HBCU College Fair, Auditions & Dance
The Houston HBCU Alumni Association (HHBCUAA) is hosting its annual National HBCU College Fair — bringing HBCUs, admissions reps, scholarships, and performing arts opportunities together in one place for students and families.
📅 Date: Saturday, March 7, 2026
🕙 Time: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM CST
📍 Location: Houston Marriott South at Hobby Airport
🎯 Includes: College fair, auditions, theater & dance info, workshops, giveaways
🎓 Bonus: Scholarship applications available only to attendees
🗳️ Help Us Shape 2026: What do you want more of from us? |
That’s a wrap for this year, fam. This edition closes out our 2025 run as we take some time to unplug, reset, and spend the holidays with our families and loved ones.
We’ll be back with a fresh Roundup the week of January 5th, ready to kick off the new year with more stories, opportunities, and HBCU excellence. Until then, wishing you a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year.🥳🍾
Take care of yourself, keep betting on you, and we’ll see you in 2026.✌🏾
— Team HBCU Lifestyle
#HBCULifestyle #GradSzn #SeeYouNextYear