Inaugural Essence HBCU Classic football game to kick off Saturday in Boston

Historically Black Colleges and Universities Take Center Stage at Harvard Stadium

A new tradition is set to begin at one of the nation’s oldest football stadiums, Harvard University’s Harvard Stadium, with the inaugural Essence HBCU Classic. This NCAA football game brings together teams from historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), celebrating the rich culture and heritage of these institutions. The event, co-founded by Campus Rise, aims to create an atmosphere similar to an HBCU homecoming, complete with a pep rally, tailgate, battle of the bands, and step show.

The first match-up will feature the Morehouse College Maroon Tigers and the Johnson C. Smith University Golden Bulls on Saturday during Labor Day Weekend. According to Derek Brown, co-founder of the Essence HBCU Classic, “Football is definitely a part of the weekend. But I would say it’s the appetizer, and everything that comes with it is the entrée.” The event’s organizers have chosen Boston as the host city due to its large number of HBCU alumni and Harvard Stadium for its historical significance, having previously hosted an HBCU game in 1971 between Howard University and University of Maryland Eastern Shore.

A Celebration of HBCU Culture and Heritage

Michele Ghee, chief content officer of title sponsor Essence, emphasized the importance of amplifying HBCUs and their contributions. “We are trying to amplify HBCUs and the amazing folks that go to those schools,” she said. “What an amazing opportunity to say, ‘Yes, HBCUs are producing great students just like Harvard.'” The event’s goal is to showcase the excellence and pride of HBCUs, providing a platform for these institutions to share their rich history and build their national presence.

The presidents of Morehouse and Johnson C. Smith universities see the game as an opportunity to inform people about their institutions’ rich history and to build their national presence. F. Dubois Bowman, president of Morehouse, noted, “It’s really an opportunity to have that broader exposure and to bring the product of Morehouse, the product of the pride of HBCUs on the road to showcase.” Valerie Kinloch, president of Johnson C. Smith, added, “When we talk about traversing different types of spaces, we have to understand how historically Black colleges and universities have a wide impact, and that also includes an impact on spaces that we usually would not be represented in.”

A New Tradition with Strong Support

The Essence HBCU Classic has garnered significant support from sponsors, including betting giant DraftKings and Cash App, a subsidiary of Block. Zack Ashley, global head of brand partnerships at Cash App, stated, “This partnership reflects who we are and what we stand for. We’re honored to help bring the ESSENCE HBCU Classic to Boston and to celebrate the excellence, pride, and history of these institutions while providing real-world benefits to the communities they serve.” The sponsorships demonstrate a clear acknowledgment of the value of HBCUs and their alumni, recognizing the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.

Derek Brown emphasized that the sponsorships are not charity, but rather a strategic move to target a valuable consumer demographic. “It’s a new tradition, but it’s not a new consumer,” he said. “I think all of our partners recognize that this is a consumer that they wanted to target. They are not doing charity, they are sponsoring this event because it gives them great access to a consumer that is very important to their business.” The Essence HBCU Classic promises to be an exciting and meaningful event, celebrating the rich culture and heritage of HBCUs while providing a platform for these institutions to shine on a national stage.