#hbcu dance line

[brattyfics]

Soul food, AAVE, black fraternities and sororities, HBCUs, soul line dances, hip-hop/r&b/funk/folk/blues/basically all genres of music, and so much more wouldn’t exist without the enslaved Africans (and their descendants) who made the most out of what they had. It’s a total slap in the face for anyone to pretend otherwise.

[vargskelegore]

OK! So transfer student shuri showing up to your practice, with an extra water bottle! Transfer student Shuri who says "I'm here for _____" and takes ur bag with all ur stuff in it, slings it across her shoulder and walks u to ur dorm!. Pls I need this!

author's note: now thats some gay ass shitttttt, ain't no way reader's friends would assume their relationship is straight.

friends, huh? - hbcu!shuri x black!reader

word count: 958 words. (shorter than normal, sorry!)

homecoming was coming up fairly soon, and your majorette team was stopping at nothing to perfect the routine that was being prepared for the school.

your school’s band decided the song they would play for the homecoming game was remember the time by michael jackson, and your majorette team would prepare the dance for the song.

with being homecoming being a little under a week away, these practices got more intense. you were the leader of the majorettes, too, so this was more pressure on you than anybody else.

as the practice continued, your water was beginning to run out, and as of right now, since your school was so cheap, the water lines in the gyms and practice rooms/halls weren’t working properly.

you mentally cursed yourself as your team went over the dance routine one more time. “fuck.. i think i’m gonna die if i don’t get no damn water soon.” you muttered. “alright ladies, we’re gonna take ten, if you need to go get water from the other building, feel free, i don’t care.” you were out of breath, and needing a towel asap.

you went to go sit down in the locker room, checking your phone. your face lit up when you saw a message from shuri. opening up your phone, it was a selfie of her, smiling, walking outside. you tilted your head a bit. where was she walking to? not that it was any of your business.

you replied a quick ‘cute :)’ before setting your phone down to get a towel from your locker. coming back, you see she read it, but nothing more. you frowned a bit, because usually she’d walk and text you at the same time, but not this time you assumed.

you overthought a lot-- you never meant to do that, but it always happened. combine that with dance practice, and you were bound to have a stroke.

you sighed for a bit before turning off your phone, because you realized the ten minutes was up, and everyone was back, chatting.

you left the locker room with your towel, setting your phone down next to your bag.

a couple of girls were having a conversation about someone, squealing and giggling. “y’all seen that girl that transferred here? shit, i didn’t think i liked girls til i saw her.” a couple of them laughed, and you raised your eyebrow, wondering what they were talking about, you called out.

“who y’all talkin bout?” you simply asked, getting prepared for another practice.

“nothin, just that new girl.. where she from, wakanda?” you stopped in your tracks once you heard that. they were talking about shuri. your stomach turned a bit hearing them talk about her like that.

“oh, her.. yeah i know who y’all are talking about. why are y’all talking about her?” your voice was a bit weary, but you tried not to show it.

“we saw her walking down the sidewalk.” another girl said, her voice getting all giggly from talking about shuri.

you stomached the way they spoke, clearing your throat before clapping. “alright y’all we need to run the dance again! we ain’t got much time.” your leader voice came through because you couldn’t bare to have this conversation.

there was about ten more run throughs of the dance in twenty minutes, and you were burnt out.

as the rehearsal came to a close, you gathered the girls in a circle to talk about things that need to be fixed in the future rehearsal.

“alright y’all, we did good today but it needs to be better tomorrow. i’m really proud of what we have going on as of right now, but i’m sure we can do better--”

you were interrupted by the loud door opening. all the girls turned around to look, and you were confused yourself at who could’ve came in.

“..are you looking for something?” one of the girls called out. you could hear some of them giggling at who walked into the room, and whispering.

“uh.. i’m here for y/n.” your ears perked up at who it was. shuri.

she was holding up a water bottle, other hand in her hoodie pocket as she stood there awkwardly.

you moved away from the girls to walk up to shuri. you could see her face visibly light up once she saw you.

“what are you doing here? i thought you were studying..” you whispered to her as you walked up to her. she only laughed.

“when you were complaining about there being no water in the gym, i asked you when rehearsal ended so i could give you some.. i didn’t want to interrupt during the rehearsal.” she was clearly shy and embarrassed because everyone else was staring at you.

“that’s so sweet.. um- thank you, shuri.” your face was getting warm as you grabbed the water from her.

“oh, so you wasn’t finna tell us that you know her, y/n?” one of your co-majorettes called out. everyone else just laughed. you cleared your throat.

“well, she and i are friends-- wait, why are you in my business? rehearsal is over, y’all go back home.” you were quick to speak as shuri went over to grab your bag and put it over her shoulder. “i’m ready when you are, y/n.” her voice was back to being soft as the girls giggled some more.

“friends, my ass.” one of them whispered. you were so embarrassed at this point, there was nothing more to say.

“girl hush, y’all better get out of here before y’all get locked inside.” you warned as you walked out of the dance practice room with shuri.

there was something neither you and shuri could deny,

and that was being friends was kiiinda overrated.

[ackee]

i see your magic girls are based off of sports and i must ask. what is ace based off of. i can never figure it out...... - 💌

she's a majorette! aka a baton twirler for marching bands.

though all of my magical girls are from a (fictional) historically black college, so it's more inspired by actual hbcu dance lines! like these:

(also ace has a twin brother, and her twin brother is in band!)

[xsteveharringtonsmistress86x]

HBCU!Steve Harrington Headcanons

Setting 1990-1994

AUTHOR’s Note: Complete AU with the timeline. Steve is 18 in 1990 when he gets into Howard. Also this is only the first part. Like I said I can’t write simple headcanons. This is a thought out process lol. Please if you have any suggestions or advice drop it in my ask box.

Soundtrack

The first time Steve saw you was during sophomore year orientation. The campus grounds were littered with other sophomores, incoming freshmen, and very excited seniors (class of ‘91). But he only spotted you.

There were several registration tables set up and the lines extended past the campus grounds. Steve stood in the line near the end of the first table and you were standing across from him in the first line for the second registration table. While he was waiting to spend the check his father egregiously had sent to him that was burning a hole in his pockets, he looked right over at you. At the same time, you turned to look at him.

Steve had to do a double take because of how beautiful you were. He had that image of the first time he saw you embedded into his memory. You were dressed in a pair of jean shorts rolled up your thighs (it literally made you look like you had legs for days) along with the HU sweatshirt your parents got you when you first got accepted. You had on the CLEANEST pair of white Reebok’s with the white slouch socks to match. Your hair was in intricate, single braids that fell just below your waist (one day you would explain to him what box braids and other cultural hairstyles are). Your thick lips were covered in a dark brown shaded liner and fully glossed.

Steve literally thought you were the most beautiful girl he’d ever laid eyes on, and he made that completely obvious. When the two of you made eye contact, Steve gave you his signature smirk and threw a small wave your way.

You kindly returned the gesture, before turning back to your best friend, where the two of you shared a very not so subtle giggle. After a few seconds, Steve then watched as your best friend let you know that he was still staring, causing you to turn back to look at him. Steve gave you another wave as you gave him a tight lipped smile and tried your best to ignore him.

You and Steve made it to your respective registration tables when you knew that he was still staring at you. You didn’t want to admit at that time that you were flattered but you absolutely were. Of course you knew who Steve Harrington was. Everyone in your graduating class knew him. He was the popular white boy at a Historically Black College that almost every girl (and closeted boy) seemed to want to throw themselves at.

Even if he was interested, you were not.

Or you knew you couldn’t be.

So that’s why when the two of you finally finished and Steve approached you to introduce himself, you immediately blew him off and walked away from him arm in arm with your best friend. Steve was obviously shocked and a little dumbfounded at the fact you gave him the brush off but he knew there was something about you that he knew he couldn’t resist.

It was a little over a month later, Steve still couldn’t get you out of his head. He even made the mistake of telling his best friend, who went and told not only the entire basketball team but the entire Kappa frat house, where Steve was now residing as a second year pledge. So, he definitely wasn’t hearing the end of it.

And speaking of the Kappas. They were hosting their first party of the year at their frat house. All fraternities and sororities were invited. And being a Delta yourself, of course you’d be there.

While posted up with his frat brothers, Steve watched just you. You were in the middle of the makeshift dance floor, almost the center of attention (which, according to Steve, you should be). You were dancing with the same girl he saw you in line with that first day. But you were also surrounded by other girls that he assumed was also in your sorority.

Steve was mesmerized by every move you made while It Takes Two by Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock blasted from the DJ spinning on the ones and twos. He wanted so bad to walk up to you and ask for a dance but he couldn’t find the courage.

Steve’s best friend, who could always be counted upon, noticed Steve’s behavior and called him out on it. He officially fessed up that you were the one he couldn’t get out of his head. The rest of the Kappas immediately discouraged Steve from ever trying anything with you.

Steve was confused as to why when they explained two things about you. First, mostly every guy in their class has tried and failed to make a play for you (apparently, they were calling you a “tease”). And second, you were the daughter of HU’s newest Dean.

Part One | Part Three

[lboogie1906]

Jackson State University (Jackson State or JSU) is a public HBCU. It is one of the largest HBCUs and the fourth-largest university in Mississippi. The university is a member of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund and is classified among "R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity". Its athletic teams, the Tigers, participate in NCAA Division I athletics as a member of the Southwestern Athletic Conference. The university is the home of the Sonic Boom of the South, a marching band founded in the 1940s. Their accompanying dance line, the Prancing J-Settes, are well known for its unique style of dance, known as J-Setting. It grew out of Natchez Seminary, founded on October 23, 1877, in Natchez. The seminary operated under the auspices of the American Baptist Home Mission Society of New York, "for the moral, religious, and intellectual improvement of Christian leaders of the colored people of Mississippi and the neighboring states". The school changed its name to Jackson College and moved from Natchez to a site in Jackson that is today the campus of Millsaps College. Jackson College moved to JSU's current location early in the 20th Century. The Society withdrew financial support in 1934, and the school became a state-supported public institution in 1940. #africanhistory365 #africanexcellence #hbcu https://www.instagram.com/p/CkDsyYprdTz/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[hbcu-dance-love]

The Golden Delights- North Carolina A&T University vs Delaware State (2019)

[hbcubands]

Alabama State Stingettes vs Jackson State

[fr0gheart]

hbcu

anonymous said: can i request a finn x black!fem!reader, where she's apart of a black sorority and he goes to the football game where she'll be stepping and baton twirling and all that jazz 🥺 just all cute and he's like really proud of her

authors note: this is so so so cute. im crying. thank you sm for requesting. as always enjoy!!

warning: aged up finn(nothing to drastic like 18), blackfem!reader

masterlist

where do i even start

so growing up

you were really smart

and you loved like embracing your culture

so when you got the chance to study at an hbcu after high school

you were all for it

just the idea of being with people like you was so amazing

you would like go to orientations and stuff 

and you would just have a killer time

your roommate was amazing

and she always welcomed you into things

you met finn at a bar

you were drinking water 

and you saw him across the room staring at you

and you were like really shy but he walked over to you

and used the dumbest pickup line 

“You’re so beautiful, you made me forget my pickup line”

and you would blush

but lol noone would see it( just humor from a black girl for ya)

ANYWAY

you guys got to talking and finn kinda seemed familiar to you 

but you didn’t really know

so you would get his number

fast forward to two months of dating

you guys would have done everything in your city by two months. 

you just liked exploring new things with finn

he would tell you, he was an actor and you’d just be like

‘ OH YEAH ‘

cause he seemed familiar

but literally you googled him once you got together

anyway it was just cool exploring the city with someone who was new just like you

finn would want to see your life at college 

but you were scared that your friends would make fun of you for dating a white boy

so he would just keep pressing

“ can we please go to your college. pleaseeee”

and he would beg an give you those puppy dog eyes

so you agreed 

and you told him to come to your schools football game

but you didnt even tell him

you were dancing 

like you always kind of avoided talking about yourself

you were embarrassed

cause compared to his acting. your baton twirling seemed pretty stupid

anyway 

you would just like get ready

and you would like walk out on stage. and just start dancing to the beat of beyonce’s party

and you would let it all go 

the crowd would be going wild and hyping you up

so you would just let the music move you

after the game you would go into the crowd and 

see finn on his phone.

you would like run up and scare him. and once he saw you

he would get lovey dovey eyes

he would pull you on his lap 

and start peppering kisses on your face

and you would start giggling 

finn would just start showering you with compliments

and he would get all serious

‘ why didn’t you tell me you danced? ‘

and you would shrug and bury your face in your hand

“ just compared to what you do. it seemed pretty small”

he would laugh and turn your head towards him 

“ whatever you do. i will always be amazed. i fuckin like you so much”

and you would like against his chest

‘ y/n is this your man?’ your friend would ask you

you would look over to finn and take his hand

“ yeah, finn this is y/f/n”

[isolctions]

𝔅𝔲𝔪𝔟𝔩𝔢𝔟𝔢𝔢𝔰  &  𝔅𝔲𝔤𝔤𝔞𝔟𝔬𝔬𝔰!             

               — a modern, black af, HBCU-based AU group verse. now enrolling for the fall semester!

ᴢᴏᴏᴍ ɪᴅ: 0415-2018.

about the campus.

bumblebees & buggaboos is an hbcu inspired group verse, inspired by the iconic beychella performance, along with other black university-based media. (see: a different world, girl’s trip, stomp the yard, drumline.) an inclusive, yet alternate universe where your muse can live out their college days, attend the parties, rush the fraternity & sorority, show off their school spirit, find their future spouse???, and more. extremely verse dependent, however your muse is not limited to a fraternity or a sorority only. you may simply just chill out as student, join the sports or band, or show off your skills as a cheerleader / majorette!

about the sorority.

the iconic bumblebees are a close-knit group dripping with excellence. after pledging successfully, you may choose to live in the on-campus sorority building, within the dorm halls, or in an off-campus building of your choosing. don’t let the tightly-functioning group fool you, though — the queen-aligned bees know exactly how to have a good time, and have no problem showing off the variety of talents that their pledges have to offer: whether it be business, writing, technology, history, or fashion. keep your eyes peeled on campus for the black, gold & pink.

about the fraternity.

the aptly-named buggaboos are a group with their heads held high and their goals even higher. same with the bumblebees, your muse may choose whatever living situation fits them best after pledging. whether they’re out on the quad practicing their latest step routine, making themselves known out on the campus through a variety of sports, music, dance, business, & technology achievements, or simply throwing the loudest, most tweeted about party of all time, you’ll certainly never live a dull moment around this fraternity. keep your eyes peeled on campus for the black, purple & yellow.

rules & regulations.

aight, so there kinda are no rules??? i mean, the first time around, we all kinda just did our thing and answered each other’s starters on a whim. however, this time around, i will ask that if you are joining or returning to this group verse, that the muses of your choosing must be black. you can tack on as many muses as you want for this verse, list them anywhere you want to on your muse pages or anywhere so that others can come plot easily, so long as they fit or are within age range. if not, then i mean...alternate faceclaims exist for a reason, babes! so no need for your older muses to miss out on all the fun. (though, faculty members can be a thing too.) also, all starters must be tagged along the lines of ‘verse — bumblebees and buggaboos’ so that they are seen by others. however y’all choose to format your posts and tags to your aesthetic is fine with me, but at least have the group verse name clearly tagged somewhere in your post so that others can find any starters & threads of yours in order to respond to them. there’s also no need to wait on any one person to drop a starter in order to interact with each other, ‘cause most of y’all are mutuals anyway, but it’s fine if y’all wanna give your muses dimension / tweak their AU biographies and whatnot before deciding to drop an open or two related to the verse. finally, this was fully my brain child when beychella dropped — i pulled this out of my ass deadass the day after the performance, and lots of people requested that i change your lives once more, so don’t forget who put y’all on!

update 9/28: i’m aware that duplicate fc’s are gonna be a thing. and because this is not a structured / group rp, this is regular degular indie rp & i’m not out here policing what anybody does bc who has the time for that — it’s up to you guys individually if you want to acknowledge other muses that share the same faceclaim. however y’all wanna go about that is up to y’all, but since there was never any first-come-first-serve basis around here, it’s fine if you look at the muse lists & see that someone has the same faceclaim as another person — they’re categorically different muses, written by different people with different backgrounds. so it’s all chill!

returning members (look, this is for visual purposes only. you don’t have to list all of your muses to me fully, tbh. just use who you want, post a starter, and tag it.):

me, obviously. @isolctions​ — classmates listed here.

@hiphcp​ — classmates listed here.

@calldrcps​ — classmates listed here.

@fcdedlcve​ — classmates listed here.

@ghcstfce​ — new page & muses pending.

new members:

@mchvelli​ — muses pending.

@thvndcrstrvck​ — classmates listed here.

@tribeof​ — classmates listed here.

@outkcst​ — classmates listed here.

@fallcnshcrts​ — classmates listed here.

@stcteofemergency​ — muses pending.

...what you waiting for? join the meeting, tf!

[lady-olive-oil]

Chapter 3

|| Characters || Intro || Ch 1 || Ch 2 || Ch 3

A/N: Hey everybody!! So here’s the next installment of Brown Sugah Baby. The events in this story are complete imagination, and I don’t own the characters of BP. Nor do I own the Divine Nine; Southern University or the Fabulous Dancing Dolls, I only own the OCs. Thank you for reading and stay tuned for more!

Word Count: 2,506 [had to get in the details hunny]

Warnings: nothing really besides harsh banter.

Tag Squad: @maddiestundentwritergaines || @destinio1 (I need extra help so gotta tag my girls) @designerwriterchic @terrablaze514

[let me know if you’s like to be apart of the tag squad]

It was another scorching humid day at Southern University, and everyone had their hands full. Tailgating, getting the team ready for the game, the band tuning their instruments for the halftime show, the majorette team stretching and making sure the speakers were loud enough. The whole campus was on fire about the homecoming game against Alabama. One thing's for sure though, M’Baku could not focus for the life of him.

“Dude. You playin or not?” Erik nudged his teammate to get him out of the trance he was in.

“Huh? Uh y-yeah. Sorry man, I was just distracted. Let’s play.” Getting refocused on the plays for the game, he glance back at her occasionally.

What caught his eye you may ask? His best friend in her dark blue leggings and an SU tank top, practicing with the majorette team. The SU Fabulous Dancing Dolls, were one of the best in the land; and everyone knew it.

Once Nefe became captain, she made them even better. She lead the team to nationals her first year. It was like the music was in her blood, and she could throw out a stand like nobody’s business.

“If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you were checking out your so called best friend. Who I might add, was -“

“Sean, think about what your gonna say. Choose wisely before I send you to Jesus early.” M’Baku stopped him before he could even finish. These two were like bulls in a China shop.

They were constantly butting heads over Nefe and it didn’t make sense. One was only with her for the sex but she didn’t see it like that; the other was  her best friend and would do anything to protect her. Which mad shin want to go the extra mile to make sure she was safe at all costs. Yet it made Sean want to work harder to keep her.

“Or what? You gonna stomp me into the ground like a elephant?” The joking tone was paired with a sickening smirk. Sean wouldn’t let up with the Africa jokes and it made the situation worse.

“At it again with the African jokes I see.” The disapproving chuckle that left M’Baku’s lips, was a rare one because Erik was eating this up with a shit eating grin.

“What are you gonna do about then, huh? As far as I’m concerned you don’t have feelings for her, or do you? Cause either way, I’m gonna be the one she wakes up to every night till senior year.”

Now he was just taunting him. The low growl that erupted from his chest was loud enough for both men to hear.

“Man you straight up buggin. Even I know that ain’t right, and I was just like you.” Both of them looked towards where to voice came from. Erik of all people got over his old ways once he met Nakia. She put him in his place and he never left since.

“Your only chance of getting laid again, Sean, is crawling up a chickens ass and waiting.” M’Baku eyed him up and down and smirked a bit at his own roast, upon hearing the football team egging him on.

“Whatever man.” With that Sean just backed off, going back to stretching.

“Never in my years of living, would I be around to see you stand up for me. Of all people really.”

“Man, you’ve been there for my shit. I gotta be there for you. We boys, we gotta stick together.”

Erik was right. In this world all they had was each other, and for him to stand up for M’Baku like that was eye opening.

“I wonder what that was all about.” Nefe being an on looker to what just happened, taking a break from practice and all. Nattie knew exactly what it was about and Nakia pointed it out first.

“The boys were arguing over you. I’m so close to beating the hell out of Sean.”

Nefe sighed at what her friend was saying and didn’t even wanna ask as to why. She was tired of the boys fighting, yet was ecstatic for Erik breaking it up.

“Ya boy stopped em too. I don’t know how you got him to draw back is gangsta ways, but I gotta hand it to ya Kia.”

“He’s still like that, just a bit toned down. I love me some Erik though.” Nakia was smitten over Erik just the same. Them two, along with T’Challa and Nattie, were what Nefe wanted in a real relationship.

What she had with Sean, was just for fun. Did she tell Sean that? Nope. She couldn’t because she was afraid he’d hurt her again, and by hurt her that meant grabbing her. She only told Nattie and the girls, mortified about how M’Baku would feel. He’s very protective over her, along with her brothers too.

“Oh please. That fine ass man with locs can have any woman he wants. Even me, I have the body; mind and skills to prove it. I’m surprised he’s even dating you. You have less hair than he does.”

Nakia nearly lunge for her, but Okoye grabbed her before she could claw her face.

Melanie couldn’t stand anyone else’s happiness but her own. Tearing others down was her thing, and she never got tired of it.

“Listen here med school,” Nefe got tired of her whack behind and was about to give her a piece of her mind.

“Save it. If only you were on the cheer team. Because as captain I wish I could kick your as off the squad.” She got in Nefe’s face, at a comfortable distance.

“As a 2nd degree black belt, I can just kick your ass.” Nefe sucks her teeth and looked her up and down.

“I’d like to see you try-” Melanie was off till the coach called her back, and she gave them a sinister look before sassaying away.

“Count ya blessing bruja! You better be lucky she’s holding me back!” Nakia growled in rage and Melanie smirked before going back with the cheer team.

Ain’t no way in hell, was Nefertiti about to have her on the majorette team and not think about choking her.

“Alright y’all. Save the fight for the parties tomorrow. We have a game to practice for. Nakia, good job on your Spanish.” Nefe winked at her friend, who then gave her a hug.

“Nefe’s right. Come on.” Nattie rallied them all together, with the rest of the team, and got into formation.

“We doing Formation or Dose?” Nattie asked before pressing play on the laptop, that was plugged in near the stands.

The smirk laced that Nefe’s face, was a triumphant one.

“Let’s switch it up. We’re doing Dose.”

~The Game: Southern University vs Alabama A&M~

The game was close. It was 77 to 76 with SU in the lead so far. M’Baku has scored the touchdown and the field goal kick. Only 2 more quarters left to go and the crowd was hyped, with a sea of sky blue, yellow and white. Nefe gathered up the girls in a huddle one last time for a prayer. A Southern University tradition.

“Alright girls, one shoe in.” All the girls places their right foot in the circle and Nefe led the prayer. They all held each other’s waists and bowed their heads.

“Father god, I ask that you cover and protect us as you always do going into these life changing moments. We ask that you guide our senior girls to victory and cover them with your hedge of protection, dear lord. Marchbus into victory, in your name we pray..”

“Amen.”

Sending off with a proper SU chant, getting into position and putting on smiles was what the girls were used to. Down south with an HBCU halftime was a goldmine. It was like watching the history of black rhythm come alive.

“Nattie. There go ya boy.” Nefe nugged her best friend nodding in the direction of T’Challa, dressed in his drum major outfit, practicing.

Anyone who knows Nattie and T’Challa is that, she’s the dancer one of the two. Even though he tries his best, he knows he’s enjoying himself. Who else would be best as drum major?

“This fool here knows how to make people laugh. He loves what he does and that all I can hope for.”

Nefe could see the love in her best friends eyes, as she gazed at the goofy man with the feather hat. That’s what she truly wanted and needed in life; an honest and loving relationship. She kept battling with her herself on it and couldn’t decide when it was time to be upfront with Sean about it.

“I see you love. Good luck out there like always.” He cape over to give her a hug, the girls and the band all made noise with the sign of affection between the two.

“You two are cute. Ok Drumline, we gotta go. Lead us on Udaku.” Nefe smirked and gave him a fist bump, sharing a quick laugh, before watching him leave to start the whistle to let the girls go.

Their outfits were jumpsuits with sheer tights, that were a lustrous jet black; with cut out parts. The ensemble hugged every curt and left little to no imagination, as the girls sashayed from the outside of the field to the field. Hearing the crowd cheering them on as they lead the band in all their glory.

They all had their hair down and pressed out, in order off them to whip them back and forth. Except for Nefe because she refused to take her braids out, since she just got them done.

M’Baku knew where to look, as he glance at the field watching his best friend move with grace and elegance, to the music of the band. That was until his coach told him to come back and was embarrassed, causing Erik to laugh a bit.

T’Challa was doing his thing as any great drum major would, and gave the crowd a show. Any HBCU had a great leader, and Southern University had one of the best. Whomever was next in line, had to live up to his expectations.

The music changed quick as Nefe threw out the first stand, everyone in the stands was into the groove with the music as well. Everyone knew the Dolls would be immaculate as whatever song they danced to and didn’t expect less from the team.

The girls followed Nefe’s every move with a smooth nature. Throwing out high kicks; backflips, a few twerking moments and few gyrating movements. The girls felt right at home. Plus adding little bit of Latin flare of course.

Getting the crowd hype was what the Fabulous Dancing Dolls were known for. All the right counts; the formations and the stands were on point. All the way down to the strut back to the stands.

[Watch this to get a visual!!]

As the game went on, the hype never died down. The girls were allowed to stand on the sidelines with the cheerleaders, during the last 5 minutes of the game.

“The suspense is killing me man. Alabama State A&M is gonna probably kick our ass.”

“Come on Nefe. Have a little faith in our boys. They’ve never disappointed us and won’t now.”

Nattie tried her best to calm her friend down as they watched the game. This M’Baku’s first game as a running back and it was only his junior year. He had strived to be quarterback by time senior year came, and would never back down from striving to get there.

“I just hope he doesn’t miss this. This could be his big break for the head spot next year.” Nefe couldn’t hold in her excitement as much as she’d like to, and Melanie scoffed at her in annoyance.

“Oh please. Why are you so worried about M’Baku’s chances of being quarterback for? He’s got me as his good luck charm to worry for him.”

“Listen here Med School, I had a enough of your shit for one lifetime let alone in practice. I’m his best friend and I have a right to worry.” With as much fire to throw back at her, Nefe snarled and gave a once over.

“Why do you care? It’s not like-”

“Shut the hell up before I herky you in the throat.”

Nefe cut her off before she could ever start, and paid attention to the game. Getting antsy with anticipation.

“M’Baku, this is all you my dude. Score it for us, better you than Sean.” Erik encourages him as he glances his way, receiving a head nod and a smile.

“I got you.” With a gentle smirk towards him, and a wave to the Nefe but Melanie took it as one to her. He shook his head in defeat and got back in the game. As the call was heard he caught the ball from David, and ran for the end zone from the 40 yard line.

“Go M’Baku!” Nefe and her girls cheered him on along with the crowd.

Melanie had had enough and decided to speak up.

“Why are you so into his future, not like he likes you or whatever.”

“I’m into his future as much as he is into mine. That’s what friends do. Scouts are out here tonight, like they are at every game so they look out for him. I’m his friend and he is mine. Whomever he dates has to deal with it.”

Nefe didn’t even have to look at her to explain her reasoning. Hell, she didn’t need to and yet still did. Receiving a high five from Nattie, she got back into the game and was on the screaming happily when M’Baku scored the winning touchdown. Making the score 98 to 83.

The crowd's reaction was just like hers, as both majorette and cheer teams ran onto the field with the superfans. Nefe knew who’d she wanted to hug but was stopped by Sean and hugged him anyway.

“Did you see me babe? How’d I do?” He was too prideful in himself to congratulate the rest of his team.

“Uh yeah. You did great. I’ll catch you later ok? I gotta get the girls ready to uh march out.” Placing a kiss on his cheek, earning her a smile before he headed out to talk to his boys. She made a beeline for M’Baku, once they saw each other. He picked her up, spinning her around in glee.

“We did it! That was amazing.” M’Baku smiled as he held her as close as possible.

“I’m so freakin proud of you! You did so well!” Squealing in happiness, holding on tight to him as he spun her. Next thing she knew, she kissed him. It was as if time stood still, and nothing else mattered to either of them. Except for a noise from Sean and Melanie. Once they broke apart, he set her down and a sense of awkwardness filled the air.

“Oh shit..”

[tastingmellow]

Stereotypes

A/N:

Aaaahhhh, so this is my very first fic! I'm not completely sure how long this will and I'm not about to count every single word so just enjoy, sis! Also, if I depicted anything wrong in this fic let me know, sorry for the mistakes! Also, this takes place before Killmonger. So. Yeah!

Disclaimer: Gif is not mine

Warnings: Language

Word Count: I don't know, I didn't count 😂

_________________________

'Shit.'

The first thought that ran through your mind hearing that loud, unmistakable bark was 'Shit.'. You had just transferred to Howard from Cornell. The education was nice but there was something missing, that college experience that you wanted. You attended a few parties there and let's say you were...underwhelmed. So, when ypu best friend, Anastasia, suggested a transfer with her to Howard you leapt at the oppurtunity. An HBCU experience was like no other. The parties, the brotherhoods, the sisterhoods, the education, all of it was in it's own category of Hype.

Although attending Cornell, you still had knowledge of HBCUs and one of them being the Sororities and Fraternities. You loved them but never saw yourself joining one. However, your mother and father both took part in them. Your mother was in AKA, yes ma'am. And your father was part of Alpha Delta Phi, which explains the large jacket you were in the cool autumn breeze.

Students parted, some squealing excitedly as they stared behind you. Stasi had already made her way to class and you had gotten up late so here you were. You took in a deep breath and continued on, walking but making your way off the pathway and into the grass since Que Dogs usually come in large packs.

As you walked unbeknownst to you, you had caught someone's eye. Erik Stevens. He eyed you, smiling as he drank you in. His eyes ran from your large afro, to your Alpha Delta Phi jacket. His eyebrows raised slightly before nudging his friend, Tré. "Yo, you know shorty in Alpha Delta Phi jacket?" He boomed while nodding his head towards you. Tré looked you over, biting his lip before rubbing his hands together. "Nah, but I sure would like too. Aye, shawty--". He was cut off by Erik jabbing him in his chest, Tré wheezing and clutching the spot. "Damn, nigga. Chill! I was just playin', you ain't to punch me like that. Punk ass..." He coughed and rubbed his chest while Erik rolled his eyes and broke away from the group.

He straightened out his jeans and crisp white tee. The purple jacket of the Omega Psi Phi rested over his physique and and a simple gold chain hung from his neck. He licked his lips and smiler before jogging up to you.

That sixth sense of company that everyone has loomed over you, so you turned and nearly jumped out of your skin. You clutched your chest and let out a breath as Erik bit his lip to hold in a laugh.

"Fuck! You could've tapped me or something." You spoke, unconsciously stopping your trek. "My fault, ma. You just looked like you were thinking, ain't want you to lose your train of thought. Erik, by the way." He smiled and held put his hand out. Your eyes loomed over his form, stopping at his waist and back up before taking his hand and shaking it. "Y/N." You simply replied and he chuckled.

'Damn, he looks good.'

"You headed to Chem?" He asked and you nodded before regretting your decision. 'You just met the motherfucker, now you telling him your classes. Bitch, you must wanna die, huh?' Your internal voice scolded you as you mentally facepalmed.

Erik nodded and looked ahead while sliding his hands in his pockets before looking back to you. "Well, lemme walk with you. I'm headed to Chem, might as well go together." He spoke, eyes trailing from your dark brown orbs, over your thick hips, to your dirty white Vans and back up. You noticed his eyes and placed a hand on your hip. "I don't need you mentally undressing me in broad daylight." You scolded and he licked his lips while taking a step closer. "How about I physically undress you tonight?"

Your legs damn near felt weak as he spoke but you kept it together, rolling your eyes and moving to start walking again. "Wait, wait! Okay, that was out of line. Just let me walk with you to class." He spoke, eyes going big, almost like he was begging. You sighed and he smiled broadly, "Fine."

_____________________________

Erik walked you to class, as well as kept yoy entertained with his inappropriate jokes and such. You stepped into the room, waving to your professor before making your way to your usual seat, right in the middle and by the wall.

You sat down, pulling out your notebook and pen. You heard shuffling beside you and looked over, eyes widening slightly as you looked at Erik unpacking his things. He looked over at you and shrugged, "You too my spot so I'm about to bother you all class." You softly chuckled before turning to the board as class started.

___________________

A frustrated sigh left you as you looked over the notes on the board and the study guide you created. You couldn't figure out a formula and it was agittating the hell out of you. Erik noticed your frustration and leaned over, "You aight?" You glanced up at him and shook your head. "No, I can't figure out this damn formula and I know that I know it, I just can't get the shit on paper.", You cried.

Erik held out his hand you handed him your study guide. He skimmed through it before beginning to explain it to you. You nodded, listening to his little lecture before realization washed over you and you grabbed the sheet from him, scribbling down the formula. You turned the sheet to him and he nodded, you did a little dance in your chair. "Thank you so much!"

Erik nodded, while leaning over to you. "No problem, princess." You smiled shyly before getting back to your study guide.

About ten minutes later, class ended and you were packing up when Erik grabbed your hand, as well as your attention. "Let me take you out." He spoke and you were slightly shocked.

You heard a lot of "horror" stories about Ques. How they smash and dash girls, or if they do cuff they don't do anything but cheat/act as though they're single so you were a little apprehensive.

Almost as if Erik had read your mind he takes a step forward, holding your hand against his chest and looking into your eyes. "I know what you heard about Ques but I promise I'm not trying do you like that. Let me take you out, one time."

"You barely know me," you breathed out.

"Well let me get to know you. Just one date and if you hate it I won't ever ask you again." He said, hope in his eyes.

You looked at him, a small smile spreading over your lips before you nodded slowly. "Okay." Erik grinned brightly and nodded. "Great, I'll pick you up Friday. Be ready by 7." He smoothly kissed your hand before making his way down from his seat and out of the classroom.

About 2 minutes later he walked back in and ran back to you. "Okay so I need your phone and dorm number." You laughed softly and gave him both before he reminded you of the time and day and made his way out.

__________________

You had just hopped out the shower and dried off. You braided your hair into a crown and put on your bonnet before turning on your chill playlist. Focus by H.E.R played througg your Bluetooth speaker as you grabbed your Chemistry notebook as well as notebook.

About an hour into studying your phone dinged, indicating a message. You picked it up and smiled at the message. 'Good Night, beautiful. Friday, 7pm.' You playfully rolled your eyes, chuckling to yourself before texting back. 'Good Night, Erik. And I got you.'

You studied for about another hour before calling it a night. You closed your book, turned off your music and put everything away. You plugged your phone up, secured your bonnet and cut off your lamo after getting under he covers.

Your mind wondered, going from family to classes and, finally, ending on Erik. You smiled at the thought of him before letting sleep consume you.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hey! So some tags aren't working, if you're tagged and see one that isn't working, tag them for me, please and thank you! First part of 7! Positive feedback is always welcome, let me know if there is anything that needs to be changed annnnd yeah, can't wait to finish!

@destinio1

@chaneajoyyy

@inlovewithmakeupcomicsanimelove

@celgehoe

@mandapandas-blog

@im5ftbutmythroat66

@maydaydylan

@boujettobarbie

@myboyfriendgiriboy

@inspired--byfashion

@curls-and-crosses

[lightofmay]

Guys!!! I’m so excited!

So a couple of weeks ago I made a post talking about how I wanted to start dancing again because it’s my favorite form of art. Usually this is something I just do in the comfort of my own home because it’s anxiety inducing, yet some little part of me still wants to be good enough to perform in front of people. Well last week I found out that my school is starting a majorette dance team and I was so happy! When I was younger I remember watching things like Drumline and HBCU dance lines and thinking that in another life, I’d definitely be a majorette dancer. Well, here’s my chance to do it now! So I talked myself into going to tryouts. I didn’t even tell anyone, just out of the thought that I’d quit or not make it.

There were so many moments where I’d start shaking and would have to stop and do my breathing exercises to calm down because I was getting so nervous. They have me in front and we’re inside of a glass room where everyone walking by can watch us. But it wasn’t enough to make me completely lose focus or want to leave. I debated about going back just in case it gets worse. That was fear talking. However, I really think that maybe the more I do it, it might become the one thing that will reduce my anxiety. Tonight, I didn’t have to worry about shaking or having to do any breathing exercises. I was completely fine!!! Do y’all know how rare that is for me?! I don’t even care if I don’t make the team after tonight. I went out, did something I loved, learned to push through it and did well. I feel that if I can do that, I can do anything. 

[sleeplessinsiswati]

Learning to Learn—A Day in the Life

Life is. God is. Love is. I have found that the best things in life are often times indescribable in nature; sure, attributes and characteristics are easily noted, but the heart of the matter is not to be spoken on so much as felt. We know they exist because of how they make us feel, and how alive they are in us and around us. 

Long before I came to the country of eSwatini, long before I even decided I wanted to join the Peace Corps, I made the decision I had to get out of the United States. America, as some would call it, for all it’s glorious opportunities, was little more than a overused and outdated ideal that fostered little more than coerced silence and disillusioned bitterness from it’s citizens. I felt that I for one was suffocating, screaming with words trapped in collapsing lungs; I was desperately trying to breathe the air of a freedom I could not find in my mother country. Around the time that I realized that because of the color of my skin, because of my radical convictions and unapologetic perspectives I would never be accepted in America, I almost immediately wanted to belong somewhere else. 

It was in this season of my life that I began to read like I never had before; intensely, feverishly searching for an answer. In all honesty, I never exactly found what I was looking for; well, I mean, I never found what I was looking for in a book. Despite this, that time in my life planted a seed. That seed would grow into a burning desire, which eventually became my becoming a Peace Corps volunteer in the country of eSwatini (Swaziland), Africa. It was not until I arrived in eSwatini that I felt the closing of a full circle, and the beginning of a new journey with new questions and new lessons to learn. Now, a new seed was planted in me—maybe here, in this country, I can belong to the land, the people; maybe here, in this land of Black people, I can taste the air of liberation. 

 After a few days of settling in with my cohort of 46, including myself and my wife, we began our training prior to our official Peace Corps Service (Pre-Service Training, PST). It was the beginning of a 3-month-long training process that included technical, medical, cultural, diversity/inclusion, security, and personal mental health trainings in order to prepare you for service. The stakes were high—do well on your assessments, and you stay in country and move on to your service. Do poorly, and you risk returning home. When we first arrived in country we lived in a dormitory style apartment building, and would walk the breezeway to our conference room to begin trainings around 8:00 am. A few weeks later, we moved to our temporary in-community homesteads as a means of further integration and preparation for our permanent sites.

The first month was definitely an adjustment—no access to running water in our home, with home consisting of one a room house that wasn’t big enough to house much more than our (Angel and myself) luggage, a queen-sized bed, and a table.  Despite these minor inconveniences, we had a very loving and helpful Make (mother), Make Mdaka, who made sure every day we were fed and not late to our morning language classes. She also had a very sizeable homestead (the property that she owned which constituted a chicken coop, two planting fields, a garden, and several avocado and banana trees) which had three houses, including our own, and one house which had both running water and electricity which we were allowed to enter and use upon request. Honestly, we kind of had it made when it comes to temporary sites.

Other than that, our daily schedule generally was as follows—

5:30 am- Wake up and do morning routine (iron or steam clothes; pack bags; make breakfast)

7:00 am- SiSwati language class (Sentence structure; vocabulary; verb tense; sentence construction)

9:30 am- Ride Peace Corps transport to training site (IDM or SIMPA institues) for technical, security, diversity, etc. trainings

4:30 pm- Ride bus home to temporary site

5:00 pm- Settle in at home and begin evening routine (Boil and filter water for drinking; cook dinner; practice siSwati with Make)

7:30 pm- Watch a few movies or tv shows on hard drive

9:30 to 11:00 pm- Call it a night and get ready for the next day

I would say that one of the biggest challenges I have faced in my time here is learning to learn, over and over again. No matter how much you know about yourself, other people, other cultures, institutions, whatever, you must put yourself in a constant space of being willing to learn again. Whether it’s the ways of the culture, the language itself, the nuances of etiquette, or a simple trip to the store, this experience of intrinsic learning has been constant ever since my arrival. Blackness, as another example, for all it’s beauty and diversity, is not a monolith. Though I have loved connecting with umdeni wami (my family) in the African Diaspora, especially in the Motherland of Africa, it would be dismissive of me to not acknowledge there are differences between us. Furthermore, it has been challenging addressing questions that come with the nature of our being in-country as volunteers— “Are you a spy?” “Donald Trump does not even like Black people. How did you get this job?” “Why is it that volunteers always come here, but we never have volunteers go there?” “Can you just give us the money and we can do it ourselves?” The realities of imperialism and capitalism, and their effects, are felt on both a conscious and subconscious level by all involved parties at all times. Yes, we are both Black; No, we are not exactly the same. In some ways we are worlds apart, and my being here could potentially inflict as much pain as it could help. Being able to see that not unlike the missionaries and colonizers which once (and still do) settled in this country, that I can inflict damage to the self-perception of the people of this beautiful country and what they perceive as their ability to create and find solutions to concerns in their communities, is a very sobering reality. 

That said, there are times of bonding along the lines of shared experience that are utterly indescribable. It is beautiful witnessing the ways in which Black people have connections across ethnic cultures that are practically impossible considering the span of space and time. And yet, there are signs—the dancing, the rhythm, the love and compassion, the viewing of time as fluid and humanity as intricately connected with Nature— and ways of life that are deeply embedded in the fabric of Black people despite being separated and unbeknownst to either people; this, for me, is both humbling and encouraging. Despite what we may believe in the States, Black America is not too far off from the Mother and her ways. 

There have been learning curves too, interacting and fellowship within our cohort. No group of people is perfect, so long as there are people in it and our group of 43 volunteers is no different. Egos, destructive criticisms, and back-biting are all possible realities of strangers coming together to accomplish any goal. We decided as a group that our cohort name would be Simunye (meaning “We are United; We are One” in siSwati), but the chemistry of our group has not always been one of unity (and still isn’t…it’s a process). For me, coming from an HBCU undergraduate background and a very ground roots racist, institutionally neoliberal PWI for graduate school, I initially had my reservations concerning connecting with people whose backgrounds I do not know and intentions I cannot always perceive, especially White with people. Despite these prejudices I had, I have come to understand and believe that through vulnerability, transparency, patience, perseverance, and a willingness to change, even the strongest of boundaries and borders and be taken down with the strength and unity of love. We are all capable of causing each other great suffering, but because of this we are also able to bring about great healing and through that healing a greater community and a stronger bond through our shared humanity. This, for me, is a lesson I am yet learning but a journey I embark on happily (I’ll talk more about this later on!).

So I’m saying all this to say…it’s been  an adjustment. There are things that are similiar, and there are things that are not. Just like everywhere. Every city, every place has a song in it’s heart; the trick, the question is “can you catch the rhythm?” When I first arrived in country, I thought there were things that I knew; now there are things that I don’t know. I am learning to catch the rhythm. I am learning to learn, again. 

[hbcu-dance-love]

Collection of HBCU Bands and Dance  Teams

I have created a list of all of the HBCU band and dance teams and put them all in one place. If I have missed anyone or got a team or band name wrong please let me know.

1.    Tuskegee University Band: Marching Crimson Piper Band Dance: Crimson Piperettes TW: Twirling Divas Basketball Dance Team: Golden Essence Conference: Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC)

2.    Alabama A&M University Band: Marching Maroon and White “Showband of the South” Dance: Dancin’ Divas Color Guard: Fabulous Flags Conference: Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC)

3.    Talladega College Band: Marching Tornado Band Dance: Dega Diamonds Basketball Dance Team: Crimsonnette Dance Team Conference: Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC)

4.    Alabama State University Band: Mighty Marching Hornets Dance: Stingettes Color Guard: Honey Bees Conference: Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC)

5.    Miles College Band: The Purple Marching Machine Dance: Golden Stars Flags: Steaming Flags Conference: Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) 

6.    University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Band: The Musical Machine of the Mid-South Dance: Golden Girls Color Guard: 24 Karat Golden Silks Conference: Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC)

7.    Delaware State University Band: Approaching Storm Dance: The “D’Elegance Color Guard: Sweet 16 Conference: Mid – Eastern Athletic Conference (MECA)

8.    Howard University Band: Showtime Band Dance: Ohh La La Dancers Color Guard: Cannot find team name Basketball Dance Team: Howard University Bisonette Dance Ensemble Conference: Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MECA)

9.    Florida A&M University Band: Marching 100 Basketball Dance Team: Venom Pom Squad Conference: Mid-Eastern Athletic

10.   Bethune – Cookman University Band: Marching Wildcats Dance: 14 Karat Gold Dancers Color Guard: The Sophisticated Corp Conference: Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC)   11.   Edward Waters College Band: Triple threat Marching Band Dance: Tiger Dolls or Purple Passion (I have seen them go by both names. Need clarification) Dancers (Plus Size): Purple Thunder Conference: Gulf Coast Athletic Conference

12.   Fort Valley State University Band: Blue Machine Marching Band Dance: Dancing Doll Divas (3D) Color Guard: Blue Pearls Basketball Dance Team: PHASES Conference: Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC)

13.   Savannah State University Band: Coastal Empire Sound Explosion Dance: Sapphire Twirlers: Tiger Streak Basketball Dance Team: The Officials Conference: Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC)

14.   Clark – Atlanta University Band: Mighty Marching Panther Band Dance: Essence Dance Line Flags: Silver Breeze Flag Line Twirlers: Star Twirler Basketball Dance Team: Onyx Conference: Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC)

15.   Kentucky State University Band: Thorobred Express Dance: K’Rette Dancers Flag: Silkettes Basketball Dance Team: Golden Girlz Dance Team Conference: Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC)

16.   Southern University Band: The Human Jukebox Dance: The Fabulous Dancing Dolls Basketball Dance Team: The Gold’N Bluez Conference: Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC)

17.   Grambling State University Band: Tiger Marching Band Dance: Orchesis Dance Company Conference: Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC)

18.   Morgan State University Band: Magnificent Marching Machine Dance: Foxxy Dancers Color Guard: Cannot find official name Basketball Dance Team: Morganettes Conference: Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC)

19.   Bowie State University Band: Symphony of Soul Dance: D.I.V.A Flags: Sensational Color Guard Conference: Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA)

20.   Mississippi Valley State Band: Mean Green Marching Machine Dance: Satin Dolls Color Guard: Valley Angels Flag Corp Conference: Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC)

21.   Jackson State University Band: Sonic Boom of the South Dance: The Prancing J-Settes Basketball Dance Team: Lady Dazzlers Conference: Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC)   22.     Alcorn State University Band: Sounds Of Dyn-O-mite Marching Band Dance: The Golden Girls Conference: Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC)

23.   Lincoln University (MO) Band: Marching Musical Storm (MO) Dance: Cannot find official name Color Guard: Cannot find official name Conference: Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA)

24.   North Carolina A&T State University Band: Blue and Gold Marching Machine Dance: Golden Delight or Facebook Conference: Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC)

25.   Fayetteville State University Band: Marching Bronco Express Dance: Royal Treasure Dancers Color Guard: Crown Jewels Conference: Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA)

26.   North Carolina Central University Band: Sound Machine Dance: Eclipse Dancers Conference: Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC)

27.   Saint Augustine’s University Band: Superior Sound Marching Band Dance: Cannot find official name Color Guard: Cannot find official name Conference: Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA)

28.        Elizabeth City State University Band: The Marching Sound of Class Dance: Allure Color Guard: Allure Flag Conference: Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA)      

29.        Winston-Salem State University Band: The Red Sea of Sound Dance: Scarlet Lace Color Guard: Silky Smooth Conference: Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA)

30.        Central State University Band: Invincible Marching Marauders Dance: Dancing Belles/The Black Diamonds Color Guard: Cannot find team name Conference: Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC)

31.        Langston University Band: Marching Pride Dance: The Golden Feline Dancers Color Guard: Flash of Fire Flag Line Conference: Red River Athletic Conference

32.        Lincoln University (PA) Band: Orange Crush Roaring Lions Dance: Crush Groove Color Guard: Cannot find team name Basketball Dance Team: Onyx Dance Troupe Conference: Central Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (CIAA)   33.        South Carolina State University Band: Marching 101 Dance: Champagne Color Guard: Electric Silk Basketball Dance Team: Sapphire Pom Squad Conference: Mid – Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC)

34.        Benedict College Band: Marching Tiger Band of Distinction Dance: Sweet Sensation Color Guard: Divine Silk Conference: Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC)

35.        Tennessee State University Band: Aristocrat of Bands Dance: Sophisticated Ladies Color Guard: Royal Elegance Flag Corp Basketball Dance Team: Tiger Gems Conference: Ohio Valley Conference

36.        Lane College Band: Marching Quiet Storm Dance: Sensational Ladies of Fire Conference: Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC)

37.        Prairie View A&M University Band: The Marching Storm Dance: The Black Foxes Color Guard: Twirling Thunder Basketball Dance Team: Panther Dolls Conference: Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC)   38.        Texas Southern University Band: The Ocean of Soul Dance: Motions Conference: Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC)

39.        Virginia Union University Band: Ambassadors of Sound Marching Band Dance: Divine Elegance Color Guard: Steel Divine Conference: Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA)

40.        Norfolk State university Band: Spartan Legion Dance: Hot Ice TW: Spartan Guards Conference: Mid – Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC)

41.        Hampton University Band: The Marching Force Dance: Ebony Fire Conference: Mid – Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC)

42.       Virginia State University   Trojan Explosion Marching Band Dance: Essence of Troy Dancers Basketball Dance Team: Trojan Fire Dance Team Conference: Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA)

43.        Livingstone College    Band: Marching Blue Thunder Dance: Blue Elegance Conference: Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA)

[hbcubands]

The Stingettes Dancing to Kendrick Lamar’s Loyalty

[xtruss]

Spelman College graduates move their tassels from right to left after their degrees are conferred on May 16, 2021 at Bobby Dodd Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. Founded April 11, 1881 to educate Black women, Spelman is the top-rated historically black college in the United States. Photograph By Lynsey Weathrproof, National Geographic

History & Culture: The Unsung History of HBCUs and Their Distinguished Alumni

Since their founding in the 1800s, historically Black colleges and universities have had a significant role — from the pre-Civil War era through Reconstruction and into the modern era.

— By Reginald Stuart | June 20, 2022

President Joe Biden sent heads spinning in 2020 when he selected California Senator Kamala Harris as his vice-presidential running mate.

“Today is an extraordinary moment in the history of America and of Howard University,” wrote Howard President Wayne A.I. Frederick, on the day of Biden’s announcement. “As Senator Harris embarks upon this new chapter in her life, and in our country’s history, she is poised to break two glass ceilings in our society with one fell swoop of her Howard hammer!”

The election generated needed energy for historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), a group of higher education institutions that include Harris’s alma mater Howard University.

Top: A Spelman College graduate returns to her seat after receiving her degree during the May 16, 2021 commencement ceremony. Photograph By Lynsey Weathrproof, National Geographic. Bottom: Members of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity break into an impromptu step dance after Howard University’s May 8, 2021 commencement in Washington, D.C. Photograph By Jared Soares

Now vice president of the United States, Harris is part of a long tradition of distinguished HBCU alumni. Although they only make up three percent of the nation’s four-year-colleges, the 101 institutions of higher education have been credited with educating more than 50 percent of the nation’s Black doctors and dentists until the 1960s.

The list of individual achievements is endless. Alabama State University graduate Fred Gray is a legal legend who represented Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King, Jr., himself a Morehouse College graduate. David Satcher, another Morehouse alumnus, worked his way up to become U.S. Surgeon General in 1968. Levi Watkins, Jr. broke the color line at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine and went on to be a pioneer in cardiac surgery. All four of the math and computer scientists portrayed in the movie Hidden Figures were HBCU graduates. So was actress Taraji Henson, who starred in the film, author Alice Walker, filmmaker Spike Lee, and musician Lionel Richie.

Yet HBCUs have been chronically misunderstood and under financed since their founding in the 1800s. Although these institutions are still the higher education link for most poor and low-income Blacks, federal and state support has gotten shakier in the past century. And private contributions have become tougher to secure.

“You’ve got a really mixed bag,” says Frank G. Pogue, Jr., who spent 50 years in higher education administration, including helping run the State University of New York System. “Some are thriving. Some are hanging. Some are seriously weak and on life support.”

Harris’s vice presidency doesn’t translate to a gold rush for HBCUs, but it does give them a firm foot in the door of rooms in Washington where billions of tax dollars are spent daily. Meanwhile, recent high-profile donations and a resurgence in enrollment gives some observers hope for the future of these imperiled institutions.

The Origins of HBCUs

HBCUs emerged as a vital educational niche before the Civil War. In the South, antebellum “slave codes” prohibited the education of the millions of enslaved African people who were considered property, not citizens, at the time.

Left: In February 1956, attorney Fred Gray uses a diagram of a bus to illustrate his case on behalf of African Americans, Browder v. Gayle, which successfully resulted in the integration of the Montgomery, Alabama bus system. Photograph By Don Cravens, Getty Images

Middle: More than 800 young men participated in the combined 2020-2021 Morehouse College commencement ceremony. Founded in 1867, the all-male college in Atlanta, Georgia is the largest producer of African American men with doctoral degrees.

Right: Morehouse students are challenged to meet high expectations: “Over the heads of her students, Morehouse holds a crown that they are challenged to grow tall enough to wear.” This statement by former Morehouse President John Hope, which popularized words from historian Howard Thurman, class of 1923, is a source of inspiration and motivation for Morehouse students and alumni. Photographs By Joe Carlos

So runaways and freedmen seeking an education had to travel north. As part of their efforts to expand comprehension of English, Quakers and religious missionaries established one-room schoolhouses to educate freed Blacks. Cheyney University of Pennsylvania was the first to be founded in 1837, followed by Lincoln University in Pennsylvania and Wilberforce University in Ohio.

As the Civil War began in the 1860s, these schools also drew in poor immigrant whites and displaced Native Americans, all seeking to master the English language as a route to success in the United States.

In 1862, that momentum was embraced by Representative Justin Smith Morrill, a former Vermont shopkeeper who had dropped out of school upon realizing his family could not pay for him to go to college. Morrill championed the Morrill Land Grant College Act, a piece of door-opening legislation giving states federal property—30,000 acres for each congressional district—plus funding to establish state-controlled colleges.

“HBCUs Create a Truly Nurturing Environment that Helps Students Understand How to Compete in the Global Society.”

— Quinton Ross, Alabama State University President

The Morrill Act set the stage for decades of growth in educational institutes for ordinary income whites. The legislation empowered new states in the West to establish colleges for working farmers and the poor who could not afford private school educations.

Mary Peake, an educated free Black woman and abolitionist from Northern Virginia, taught the “contrabands” in makeshift shacks before moving to an abandoned cottage. When Butler retired in 1863, one of his final official acts was to use federal government funds to pay for a school in the Hampton area that could seat 600 students.

By the end of the decade, a flurry of post-Civil War initiatives resulted in the establishment of a trade school on the adjacent property—a school that would become today’s Hampton University.

Top: Students are featured in the annual report of the Cheyney Training School for Teachers (Institute for Colored Youth) in 1914. Cheyney Institute, now Cheyney University, is the oldest historically black college, founded February 25, 1837 in Cheyney, Pennsylvania. Alamy Stock Photo

Left: A Spelman College graduation program sits on the ground at Bobby Dodd stadium. Spelman is the top producer of Black women who receive doctoral degrees in STEM fields. Spelman alumnae are prominent civic, business, political and cultural leaders.

Right: Spelman alumnae include Dr. Audrey F. Manley, former Surgeon General of the United States and first alumna president of Spelman College, and Rosalind Brewer, chief executive officer of Walgreens Boots Alliance and chair of the college’s board of trustees. Photographs By Lynsey Weathrproof, National Geographic

Post-Civil War Growth

As the Civil War drew to a close in 1864 and the federally controlled Reconstruction period began to “reunite” the states, there was no plan for educating the estimated four million suddenly freed enslaved people who had worked on Southern plantations. The government stepped in again.

In March 1865, Congress created the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands—commonly known as the Freedmen’s Bureau—with an ambitious agenda and no budget. Run by Union generals, the Freedmen’s Bureau was charged with integrating Black Southerners into society.

The agency set up makeshift schools to educate the freed Black Americans. In September 1865, three months after the war officially ended, Atlanta University (now Clark Atlanta University) was founded with assistance from the Freedmen’s Bureau. It was soon followed by the Fisk Free Colored School in Nashville, Tennessee in 1866.

The Freedmen’s Bureau had its greatest symbolic impact with the establishment of Howard University in Washington, D.C. Started as a seminary in 1867, the institution quickly expanded its liberal arts mission. By the following year, Howard had opened Freedmen’s Hospital, giving students who wanted to practice medicine a training ground not available anywhere else in the country.

Southern states, however, remained determined to prevent Blacks from getting an education. During Reconstruction—and in the years after it ended in 1876—they enacted a flurry of state and local laws known as “Black codes” that were designed to restrict Black people from owning property and moving freely through public spaces. The violent and racist Ku Klux Klan reinforced those laws.

Morrill was once again on the case. The Morrill Act of 1890, commonly referred to as the Second Morrill Act, established a land-grant system that forced states that banned Blacks from their public institutions of higher education to designate a separate institution for people of color. That fueled the launch of 17 colleges for Blacks, more recently expanded to 19.

Left: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority sisters Aryn Franklin, Jasmine McCaskill, Jaden Jackson and Kiara Mahoney sing a song following their May 16, 2021 Spelman College commencement ceremony. Alpha Kappa Alpha, founded in 1908, is the oldest Black sorority. Its members include Vice President Kamala Harris who attended Howard University. The sorority has more than 1,000 chapters and 300,000 members. Right: A crowd of students gather on the lawn at Howard University near Miner Hall in the early years of Howard’s 1867 founding. Photograph By John S. Moulton, Library of Congress

Debating Segregation

As educational opportunities for freed slaves grew, so did differing schools of thought among emerging Black leaders on how to secure economic and educational advancement. One of the most divisive education debates of the last century—often called the “Great Debate”—took place between distinguished academics Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. DuBois.

One of Hampton University’s earliest students, Washington was born a slave in Virginia and moved to West Virginia after emancipation. In 1872, Washington reportedly walked 500 miles to Hampton, arriving with 50 cents in his pocket. The school enrolled him anyway, allowing him to earn his tuition by working as a janitor.

By contrast, DuBois was a Massachusetts-born, Harvard-trained educator who taught at Wilberforce University and Atlanta University. DuBois asserted the best course for the future was to push for civil rights and a liberal arts education for the “talented tenth” of Black citizens who could then lead their communities.

In the 1950s, the unresolved issue of racial segregation in schools was pushed front and center when the U.S. Supreme Court declared in its 1954 Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka decision that the separate-but-equal doctrine that had propped up segregation was unconstitutional.

Although most Southern states would ignore and contest the ruling, civil rights advocates saw it as an opportunity to continue pushing the envelope on racial disparities in higher education. In 1962, James Meredith became the first African American to enroll at the University of Mississippi in the face of fierce protest from whites who declared integration was tantamount to disruption of society.

Effects of Desegregation

The push toward desegregation would have unforeseen consequences for HBCUs. Bluefield State College, founded in 1895 to provide higher education to children of Black coal miners in West Virginia, quickly began to desegregate in the 1960s—starting with quiet removal of its Black administrators. By the late 1990s, Bluefield State would have a Black enrollment of under 10 percent.

Top: James H. Meredith, whose 1962 admission to the previously all-white University of Mississippi caused bloody riots, receives his Bachelor of Arts degree on August 18, 1963. Photograph By JiM Bourdier, AP Photo

Bottom Two: Spelman College graduates Sydney Price, left, and Cylantra Dees stand for portraits following the 2021 commencement exercise. Photograph By Lynsey Weathrproof, National Geographic

HBCUs also remained underfunded compared to white institutions of higher education. In 1970, the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund took on the federal government, arguing that it had granted funds to 10 states with racially segregated educational systems. The NAACP also provided evidence that state and federal agencies had endorsed and condoned unequal funding, enrollment, staffing, salary, infrastructure, curriculum development, and more.

The courts agreed. In response to the ruling, the federal government formally acknowledged the unique role of HBCUs and invested millions of dollars to upgrade their facilities.

This confluence of developments spelled the demise of more than a handful of HBCUs, mostly private religious-based institutions including Bishop College in Texas, Knoxville College in Tennessee, and St. Paul College in Virginia. Many public colleges were bailed out by their state governments.

Today, the tangible value of HBCUs is next to nothing when compared with Ivy League institutions. Harvard University possesses more than $30 billion in its endowment and its alumni have deep pockets and a culture of giving. Harvard does not rely on student aid to get its students through each year.

Howard University, by contrast, possesses a $740 million endowment and relies on a Congressionally mandated line-item appropriation, which in 2020 reached $240 million. Most HBCUs have even smaller endowments of $50 million dollars or less and rely on tuition to enroll as much as 90 percent of their students.

Empirical data provided by several alumni groups further indicates that alumni giving across the board at HBCUs is approximately 15 percent.

Top Left: Morehouse’s House of Funk marching band takes the field in front of a packed stadium for the first home game of football season. Band rivalries at halftime can be as strong as those between the football teams. Photograph By Radcliffe “Ruddy” Roye Top Right: Monica Franklin wears a T-shirt with her daughter’s picture during Spelman College’s 2021 commencement ceremony at Dodd Stadium. Photograph By Lynsey Weathrproof, National Geographic

Bottom Left: The senior preparatory class of Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee sits for a portrait in the early 1900s. Alamy Stock Photo Bottom Right: Students sit in a classroom at Hampton Institute, now Hampton University, in Hampton, Virginia in 1899. Library of Congress, Getty Images

“A lot of HBCU alumni are first-generation college students and don’t come from family and generational wealth,” says Vita Pickrum, vice president of institutional development at Delaware State University, the state’s historically Black land-grant college.

With those challenges looming on the horizon, Capitol Hill has increasingly questioned whether HBCUs are still a necessity.

A Hopeful Future?

After the civil unrest across the nation in 2020, sparked by deadly police shootings in a number of cities, the talk of more HBCUs joining the ranks of America’s dying institutions quickly vanished.

“We are beyond that debate now,” says California-based consultant Hugh C. Burroughs, who has worked for several philanthropists including the John Hay Whitney Foundation, William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, and the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. “These institutions are important pillars and foundation for equality and racial justice.”

He argues that the public outcry for political civility and protesting police misconduct signals a “new normal” with respect to race relations. “We’ve got to get this race thing right,” he says. “I really think the door is open.”

In September 2020, Congress stepped in with an emergency half billion-dollar bailout to revive the institutions from near financial collapse during the pandemic, which disproportionately hit poor and minority communities. And that aid was more than matched a few months later with a surprising gesture of private support.

In December 2020, philanthropist MacKenzie Scott announced plans to distribute $5 billion dollars to hundreds of organizations—including HBCUs. The institutions receiving gifts ranged from urban Howard University, which got $40 million, to rural Prairie View A&M University in Texas, which received $50 million.

Scott—who became the world’s richest woman after her divorce from Amazon founder Jeff Bezos—gave the money upfront with no strings attached. This bold move diverted sharply from a pattern of corporate giving in which donors tie conditions to their support, typically earmarking it for business, science, and math while liberal arts get cut.

Left: A Spelman College student stands among her fellow graduates as the choir sings at the 2021 commencement ceremony. Photograph By Lynsey Weathrproof, National Geographic Right: The class of 2021 sit on the field at Bobby Dodd Stadium near downtown Atlanta during the Spelman College commencement on May 16, 2021. Photograph By Lynsey Weathrproof, National Geographic

Now, HBCUs are experiencing a renaissance of sorts. In a report based on interviewed with dozens of students, guidance counselors, and college officials, the New York Times found that they “are increasingly becoming the first choice” for a new generation of promising young people who have come to see the historical value of HBCUs.

Sprinkled throughout the true stories and lore of HBCU history are tales of how these institutions blended their rigid academic standards with a compassion for students. Like Hampton with Booker T. Washington, they created practices of financial flexibility that allowed poor students to enroll and pay their tuition and fees as they could.

“HBCUs create a truly nurturing environment that helps students understand how to compete in the global society,” says Alabama State University President Quinton Ross, a second-generation graduate of the school, where 75 percent of students are Pell Grant-eligible.

Pickrum of Delaware State agrees. “The time has come for when HBCUs are recognized for what they have done.”

Left: The Atlanta University Center’s campuses adjoin. Spelman student DeJah Ault, with Gerard Contee and Khalil Pickering from Morehouse in front of Clark Atlanta’s Harkness Hall, says, “It doesn’t feel like we go to separate schools.” Photograph By Radcliffe “Ruddy” Roye

Right: Students at Clark Atlanta University work on a chemistry lesson. Historically black colleges account for nearly half of the top 50 schools that produce black students who go on to receive graduate degrees in science, technology, engineering, and math. Photograph By Nina Robinson

— Lynsey Weatherspoon’s work has been exhibited at The African American Museum in Philadelphia and Photoville NYC. Her affiliations include Diversify Photo, Authority Collective, and Women Photograph. Lynsey is available for assignments and projects nationally and internationally through both stills and video. She also develops curriculum for high schools and colleges lectures, conferences and is available for virtual and in-person speaking engagements.

— Nina Robinson’s photography unites personal, documentary, and fine art styles. Brooklyn-based photographer Radcliffe “Ruddy” Roye uses portraiture and photojournalism to tell real stories of real people, especially fellow Jamaicans.