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The opinions expressed in this article are the writer’s own and do not reflect the views of Her Campus.
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Bowie State chapter.

We’ve all experienced some type of homecoming in our lives, whether in high school or college. You haven’t been to a real homecoming though until you’ve experienced an HBCU homecoming. An HBCU homecoming is like a rite of passage, a lifetime memory. 

From coronation to the parties to the concert to the tailgate to the football game. An HBCU homecoming is a highlight in black culture as a college student. Homecoming is a time when the university comes together to be proud of how far it has come and celebrate the richness of cultures with its current students and alumni. People come from all over to enjoy themselves and reconnect. 

Each event lit in its own glory. We can’t talk about an HBCU homecoming without mentioning Greek life. The D9 really contributes to making homecoming what it is. Celebrating the brotherhoods and sisterhoods created over the years and celebrating unity.

Nothing beats the HBCU homecoming experience than your freshman, and senior years and coming back as an alumni . Your freshman year is like your initiation, your senior year is like your graduation and coming back as an alumni is reliving of youth. In all these stages, it’s a time to let loose.

As a freshman, you want to experience every event, get your feet wet, make new friends and it’s a week you’ll never forget. As a senior, you’re trying to live your best life, your last hoorah before real life hits. As alumni, you come back home and see how far home has come and show the young ones how it used to go down and put them “on game” to knowledge. 

One thing that makes homecoming so special is the feeling of family. Homecoming is the best place for networking. “Taken in its totality, the HBCU homecoming experience is invaluable on a number of levels as Black colleges continue to play such a vital role in providing joy, fulfillment and opportunities.

Last but not least, we can’t talk about the HBCU homecoming experience without talking about the fashion. HBCU homecoming ranges between the ultimate fashion show and the red carpet. One thing that is undeniable is that HBCUs really make you feel like your home. Make sure you attend an HBCU homecoming for a life changing experience. Without it, we lose touch of what the HBCU community really means.

Kimberly Symba

Bowie State '24

Kimberly is a Fashion Design major and Business Administration minor. She is creative by nature and loves to write for pleasure. She aspires to be editor-in-chief of her own fashion/arts magazine.