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The Source Magazine Presents The Source HBCU [W]RAP UP 2017

October 26, 2017
NDSmith

There is nothing like an HBCU Homecoming.

That could be the entirety of this re-cap but would that really be fair? ABSOLUTELY NOT!  Especially since this year, The Source was front and center of all the hot action during two historic homecomings at Howard University and Morehouse College— as they celebrated 150 years of Black excellence.

During Oct. 19th through Oct. 22nd thousands of grads returned to campus to cut up in the name of scholarship. And while Cheney University and Hampton University also had homecomings this weekend, The AUC (Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, Spelman College) and Howard University hosted The Source for a weekend of fun and mayhem.

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Howard University

Homecoming Theme for Howard was “Iconic”.  The weekend kicked off with a bang. But you already know how the Bisons do it! The infamous International Yard Fest did not disappoint and was live in 2017 as it was back in the day with celebrity personalities like Sean “Puff Daddy” Combs, Anthony Anderson and Taraji P. Henson stomped the yard. At the ‘fest, there were vendors, sponsors, live performances and a whole ton of black girl magic and black boy joy. Current students blessed the open mic and rocked the stage as well as up and coming artists repping for the culture. The Source tapped emcee Tracey Lee to be our host for the weekend. But it would not be The Real HU homecoming if big names did not make an appearance. Artists like Tory Lanez, Rick Ross, Wale, Rotimi and Kid Capri had girls sweating their blowouts out and dudes dripping with sweat. But we know a party ain’t a party until the greatest entertainer turns it all the way up! That’s right… Doug E. Fresh lead the epic swag surf leaving no room for discussion is the original party rocker!

The crowd was live, the outfits were poppin’ and there was love from all classes young and old.

After the concert, the crowd swelled with folk excited to reconnect with old friends, impromptu music from members of the Howard Showtime Marching Band and Greeks on the yard strolling in preparation of who is gonna best rock the step show later that night.  Well… it didn’t take long to find out. The Devastating Divas, Ladies of Distinction from Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.’s Alpha Chapter took first place against all the other sororities and the men of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. took first place for the guys.

Saturday’s festivities started off with the Howard University Homecoming football game.  The HU Bisons went up against the Morgan State Bears to beat them 39 – 14: A great win for HU. After the football game was the highlight of any great homecoming: The tailgate! Alum, students, admin and friends gathered on the yard to party to old school tunes with food and good vibes while the younger alum and current students had their own fun at the lower parking lot with music, food, and lit music

All around this weekend was filled with good vibes

Morehouse and Spelman

Every year, homecoming for these two schools overlaps in spirit and duration. Though Spelman is not Morehouse’s official sister school (Bennett College is), the two schools share a history of excellence and programming that makes them often seem inseparable. Well… until you look at their rankings. Spelman always bests King’s alma mater by a long shot, maintaining the number 1 spot of over 20 years.

Except when it comes to concerts! Travis Scott, Kylie Jenner’s baby daddy rocked literally rocked Da ‘House

Like years in the past, the Spelman launched homecoming weekend with Arts and Entertainment Conference, exposing students throughout the AUC to powerful women in the industry like Jamila Hunter, Senior Vice President, Comedy ABC Television Networks and Traci Blackwell, Senior Vice President of Current Programming at the CW Network. But homecoming for the two schools was not only about networking with powerful alums that could help you navigate your career… Market Friday allowed commerce and camaraderie to go hand-in-hand. Step show? Like Howard, the gentlemen of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. took the crown.

Alpha’s might have won, but look at the Ques and their bruh, Terrance J catching wreck!

Saturday was equally lit as the Morehouse College went up against Benedict College losing 29 – 26.

Clark Atlanta University

Clark Atlanta University is the home of Atlanta’s power players. Boasting alum like hip-hop tastemakers like Chaka Zulu, Mase, Champ Rockwell, Brian Michael Cox, Taiye Samuel and Makeda Smith, this party school knows how to bring in Homecoming with the best of them. This year was no exception.

While it is never a question that Morehouse and Spelman combined bring more people out, it was the undeniable southern star power offered by CAU that made it the place to be. At their annual Hip-Hop concert, 21 Savage beasted that stage and tore it to shreds. While Hip-Hop mogul Clifford T.I. Smith dropped science in an impromptu class on students interested in business.

(photo by Jay The Filmenist)

Ending the week, RUNCAU featuring DJ Trauma and DJ Mars shut all the Friday night parties by flying in celebrity wax-spinner, Clark Kent.

To everyone’s surprise the cast of the hit show, The Quad personally gave out gifts to students and participated in the tailgate. Homecoming 2017 was closed out on Sunday evening with gospel singer, Deitrick Haddon.

There are 100 HBCUs located in 19 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Of the 100 HBCUs, 51 are public institutions and 49 are private nonprofit institutions. Although HBCUs were originally founded to educate Black students, they have historically enrolled students other than Black Americans.

Congrats to all the students for partying responsibly and keeping the tradition of Black excellence alive.