Lake Buena Vista, Florida – It was just enough anticipation to make fans dance as they walked into the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex at the Walt Disney World Resort.
Ashley Springs, whose son was a member of the North Carolina A& T-band.
Anyone who knows the HBCU teams knows it’s the real show on match day.
HBCU cheerleader Felicia Smith also described the first half as not the time for fans to leave their seats at an HBCU football match.
“They’re in the stands,” Smith said. “They’re watching. They’re cheering. They’re screaming!”
So what happened on Sunday afternoon at the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex was an HBCU fan’s dream come true.
See also: Dream Come True: On-Site Scholarships Offered During HBCU Week at Walt Disney World
Bands from Delaware State University, Winston-Salem State University, North Carolina AAnd Alcorn & T State University go head to head in a gang battle.
“I’m so glad Disney opened the door to HBCUs to get attention,” said one Cardona Lewis parent.
It was an unforgettable moment when Disney hosted HBCU Week for the first time. The event, which began in Wilmington, Delaware, in 2017, included a job fair, a parade on Main Street, and the Battle of the Bands.
“I appreciate it very much because I see how Disney is embracing the culture,” Rachel Wesley said as she prepared to enter the stadium.
Despite the quality of the music in Battle of the Bands, it wasn’t all about the show.
For some kids, the HBCU week has been life-changing.
“I decided I wanted to go to HBCU,” said Kimori Young, a high school student.
See also: HBCU Week Disney 2022: Bands Bring Bass to the Magic Kingdom
Felicia Smith brought several of her students to a career fair on Friday, which included immediate admission and scholarships. It had 8,657 students.
“This was their first experience with HBCUs, it was great. Four of them got accepted into the Alcorn State,” Smith said.
Tracee Davis founded a dance school that focuses on teaching girls HBCU dance techniques. A number of her students now also attend HBCU. Some were even in the field on Sunday in a gang fight.
Their school choices are not only because of the academics but also because of the culture – HBCU provides an atmosphere like no other.
“Historically black colleges and universities have truly provided a supportive culture and supportive environment to ensure students thrive,” said Tunis Agramonte, Vice President of Diversity, Equality and Inclusion for Disney’s DPEP.
With all that in mind, it doesn’t really matter who wins the gang battle… or does it?
It’s not, but it’s coming for the bands, it kind of does it,” a Howard University graduate said in the stands.
After all, what is an HBCU squad without a good fight?
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