50 HBCU Homecoming Moments You Need to See

Howard University Homecoming Court

HBCUs take campus royalty very seriously. From campaigning to holding pageants and attending coronation balls, students gear up every Homecoming season for their chance to be one of the faces of their beloved institution.

The Howard University Royal Court cheered on their fellow classmates at the Bison Madness pep rally.

Beverly A. Smith was crowned North Carolina Central University’s Miss Homecoming on year in the 1960s.

Joshua Edwards and Naomi Harris were elected Mr. and Miss Jackson State University for the 2022-2023 school year. This picture is from the 2022 Homecoming Coronation.

These three ladies made up South Carolina’s Claflin University Homecoming Court one year in the 1950s.

Miss FAMU 1960 sits on her throne surrounded by other runner-up queens for Homecoming!

During Homecoming week, Miss JSU Eunette Gentry wore white and stood alongside Miss Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, and Senior in 1997.

Wyndell Davis was crowned Miss Homecoming for Allen University in 1959. She stands with President Frank Veal and Miss Jeffery during the Homecoming Coronation.

The 2016-2017 Howard University Homecoming Court and President Dr. Wayne A.I. Frederick and Simone Frederick hold hands as they sing on the field during the Homecoming game halftime in 2016.

Spelman and Morehouse College

One of the highlights of Homecoming week is the many concerts for students and alumni to attend!

Offset surprised students and performed at the Spelman and Morehouse Hip Hop concert in 2023!

In 2004, rapper LL Cool J had students going wild during his performance before doing the coin toss to start the Homecoming football game.

In one of the biggest years of Cardi B’s music career, 2017, the rapper performed at Jackson State University for Homecoming.

R&B singer Jacquees took to the stage at Baltimore, Maryland’s Coppin State University Homecoming concert in 2018.

Jackson State University hosted “THEE Gospel Explosion” concert to kick off Homecoming in 2023.

In 2018, rapper Rick Ross hit the stage at Coppin State to perform at their Homecoming concert.

Who wouldn’t absolutely love going to a Lil Wayne concert? The rapper shut down the Jackson State University stage in 2017.

North Carolina Central University

During Homecoming week, schools put together elaborate floats (or just sit on the hoods of decorated cars) to represent various campus groups!

In 1967, North Carolina Central University’s student union and dining dall participated in the school’s Homecoming parade.

South Carolina’s Claflin University opened its Homecoming parade in 2000 with a banner stating the week’s theme, “Preserving Claflin Pride In The 21st Century.”

Miss Prairie View A&M University sat with fellow classmates on the College of Engineering float during the Homecoming parade in 1984.

Maryland’s Bowie State University marching band strutted around campus during the 2007 Homecoming parade.

Who needs a float? Miss Claflin University and her runner-ups sat on the front and roof of a decorated car during a Homecoming parade in the 1980s.

The Jackson State University cheerleaders and Sonic Boom marching band filled the streets of Jackson, Mississippi streets during the 1970 parade!

In 1984, the Prairie View Color Guard put on a show on L.W. Minor Street as they participated in the Homecoming parade.

Miss North Carolina Central University Kia Hardy looked beautiful as she sat on this grand Homecoming parade float in 1992.

North Carolina’s Elizabeth City State University marching band showed their school pride in the 2004 Homecoming parade!

Howard University and North Carolina A&T University

All of the week’s activities lead to gameday! One of the most anticipated sports days of the HBCU school year is Homecoming which features an appearance from the campus royalty, tons of alumni and students, and an explosive halftime performance!

In 2016, Howard University’s football team played against the North Carolina A&T Aggies for their Homecoming game!

Howard University’s marching band showed up and showed out during the school’s halftime in 2016.

The iconic Jackson State marching band, known as “Sonic Boom of the South,” is getting ready to perform at the Homecoming game in 2010.

Howard University’s Showtime Marching Band and Ohh La La at the Bison Madness kicks off basketball season and Homecoming week! This photo is from the 2023 Bison Madness.

Bryce Harris, a student at Howard Univerisity, dunks at the Bison Madness game during Homecoming 2023.

Howard University’s Marcus Dockery participates in the Bison Madness shooting contest in 2023 during Homecoming.

Xavier University Of Louisiana competing in their basketball Homecoming game in New Orleans.

Morgan State University

One of the most important parts of some alumni’s Homecoming week is seeing their fellow sorority and fraternity members!

Alumni and members of Kappa Alpha Psi enjoying a classic tailgate party at the Morgan State University Homecoming game in 1993.

The 2002 Delta Sigma Theta members of Jackson State University at the 2023 Homecoming.

Sorority members sit atop a Kappa float in Claflin University in the school’s Homecoming parade in the 1960s.

Kappa Alpha Psi members: Fred Henley, Charlton Bivins, Ted McField, Walace Davenport, Randall McHenry pose at Xavier University of Lousiana’s Homecoming tailgate.

Members of Delta Sigma Theta are all smiles at the 2023 Jackson State Homecoming.

Jackson State University

Not only will students and alumni get to reunite on the special week in the fall semester, they might also run into a celeb!

Magic Johnson taught Jackson State University students about career paths and choices during Homecoming in 2019. Here he snaps a picture with the campus royalty!

Hillary Clinton made her way through a crowd of students and alumni at the Bethune-Cookman University Homecoming game in 2016.

Kirk Franklin stopped to take pictures with students and alumni at Jackson State’s Homecoming in 2017.

Mascots are celebrities too, right? Howard University’s mascot, the Bison, gears up to pose with students and alumni at Homecoming.

Xavier University of Louisiana

Xavier University’s mascot, Gold Digga, takes a picture with XU alum Gina Smith in 2019.

Jackson State’s Wavee Dave Tiger was ready to show some school pride with Miss JSU in 1997.

Morgan State University

Homecoming is all about the memories! Having the opportunity to come back to your beloved campus to see the people you love is like no other feeling.

Morgan State University alumni reunite on campus for Homecoming in 1992.

Spelman College’s student events planning committee. P.U.L.S.E, stand together for the Homecoming Talent Show in 2023.

Brenda Alexis, Angela Pierre, Gina Smith, and Kim Bishop pose with their “Eyes on XU” sunglasses at Xavier’s Homecoming in 2016.

Sheila Dobson and Don Dobson share a cute moment at the Morgan State Homecoming in 1993.

Current Spelman student Ashé Kelsey and her alumnae aunts Riba Kelsey and Rimani Kelsey-Rogers reunite at Market Friday during Homecoming in 2023.

It’s a family reunion! Larry Bishop, Tia Bishop, and Kim Bishop were all smiles for Xavier University’s Homecoming in 2023.

Spelman College alumnae Nyeelah Matthews, Brielle McDaniel, Jasmine Jenkins, and Whitney Barr reunite for the SpelHouse Homecoming in 2023.

Alumni Paul Homes and Pete Pompey pose at Morgan State University Homecoming in 1993.

Morehouse student, Christian Pearson, and Anastasia Salem hang out on Spelman College’s campus in 2023 during Homecoming.