What began as a easy yard gathering for a number of HBCU associates has now grown right into a cultural celebration spanning a number of cities throughout the nation. Pricey Summer time Pageant, born out of a need to remain linked after faculty, has remodeled right into a full-fledged motion — one powered by goal, ardour, and the unrivaled energy of the HBCU community.
The roots of Pricey Summer time Pageant hint again to Virginia State and Delaware State, the place a close-knit group of scholars determined to host a small barbecue to remain in contact after commencement. It began as a option to see one another once more. From seeing one another every single day on campus to barely catching up in several cities, they wanted a cause to reconnect.
That cause rapidly developed right into a highly-anticipated competition that now attracts over 7,500 attendees in cities like New York, DC, Atlanta, and Houston. “New York was the primary metropolis to go loopy,” founder Dwayne defined. “We went from 75 individuals in a yard to 1000’s in a metropolis park.” The overwhelming assist revealed that there was an actual want for culturally grounded, enjoyable, and nostalgic areas created by us, for us.
Every cease on the competition tour is intentional. The staff selected cities with robust Black cultural roots, vital HBCU presence, and quickly rising inventive scenes. “Atlanta is the Mecca. Black excellence lives right here,” founder Drew stated. “And Houston — man, that’s like child Atlanta. It’s on the rise and has its personal wave.”
In fact, scaling a multi-city competition hasn’t been with out its challenges. From studying digital advertising on YouTube to tailoring occasions to every metropolis’s distinctive vibe, the staff has stayed hands-on. Each metropolis is totally different — how they celebration, what music they love, even how they purchase tickets. They needed to examine that.
Their method to partnerships is simply as grassroots. Beginning with product-only offers from manufacturers like Tito’s and T-Cellular, they’ve constructed belief via outcomes and tapped into their HBCU community to seek out champions inside large manufacturers. “It’s all relationship-based. Our faculty associates now work in PR, advertising, and media. They helped elevate us,” founder Shareef stated.
Pricey Summer time Pageant is greater than a celebration; it’s a reunion, a networking hub, and a cultural homecoming. I
