Black universities show up and show out
By Samantha Morell Miami Times Staff Writer
On July 11, 2023
HBCU picnic draws thousands to Florida Memorial
Not even summer storms or record-breaking heat could stop the seventh annual South Florida HBCU Picnic (SFHBCU) from attracting crowds like never before.
The July 8 event was a hit, with a jumble of cars lined up throughout neighborhoods surrounding the festivity’s headquarters at Florida Memorial University in Miami Gardens. Walking onto the campus, attendees were greeted by tents packed with alumni, students and families, all dancing, singing, eating and enjoying each other’s company in true cookout style.
More than 6,000 people registered to attend, doubling last year’s numbers. The event was created in 2015 by former Opa-locka Mayor Matthew Pigatt, founder of the HBCU Scholarship Community Facebook group, and attorney Josh Jones, whose law firm was the event’s title sponsor. Real estate agent Melody Miller, owner of SoulWork Innovations LLC, later joined as the third co-sponsor. All three individuals are HBCU graduates.
Originally uniting just 10 schools from across South Florida, the event has since expanded its reach out of state to serve a total of 25 HBCUs and six Greek-lettered organizations from the National Pan-Hellenic Council.
“We are not merely hosting a picnic,” said Pigatt in a press release. “We are creating a homecoming reunion for our HBCU community, showcasing our unity, celebrating our institutions and preparing for the future of our youth.”
Saturday’s celebration brought droves of Black professionals, entrepreneurs, alumni and students together in one space. Some sold children’s books or jewelry. Others sat back and shared a cold drink with friends old and new. Through the crowds, Quenay Woody lugged a giant $500 check bearing her name.
Woody is the captain of the cheer team at Florida Memorial University (FMU). Soon to be a member of the HBCU’s 2024 graduating class, she’s also the first to receive an FMU fine arts scholarship from the Miami Chapter of Jack & Jill of America.
This year was Woody’s second time attending the SFHBCU picnic. Her cheerful spirit remains with her on and off the field, especially when she’s joined in support by friends and family.
“I’m actually going to be a first-generation college graduate,” Woody said, “so I brought my family out here to see what it’s like to come to a college event and get the experience, since they didn’t get that experience when they were my age.”
Shortly after speaking with The Miami Times, Woody gave her check to a trusted friend and joined her cheer team in a coordinated dance routine – ignoring the raindrops falling from above.
Woody still has one year left to go before obtaining her degree, but others at the picnic had already moved on from their school days and had returned to reunite with old friends and share what they’ve accomplished.
Deidra Johnson is an English teacher who, although she’s no longer in the classroom, clings to that identity. She’s a proud alumni of Tennessee State University in Nashville who graduated in 2001 and now lives in Fort Lauderdale.
Johnson explained how each school has its own tent and area to organize a campaign of its own choice, whether that consists of touting a big-named sponsor or simply hanging out and enjoying a meal with friends.
“It’s just to kind of show our excellence, to be able to represent all the schools that we come from and all the great things we’re doing today to represent Black excellence,” Johnson said.
She noted how many who are studying out-of-state are home for the summer, allowing them the opportunity to reunite with family and showcase what they’ve learned. She also commended the event for drawing in new recruits, providing additional revenue and notoriety for participating HBCUs.
At the same time, Johnson’s tone amplified when she spoke of her own university and its accomplishments. Without reserve, she revealed an underlying battle between several HBCUs over which school reigns that seemed to ruminate over the entire pride-filled event. Presumably, if provoked, a friendly debate between two “rival” schools could have been ignited – and perhaps at some point, one was.
It’s all part of the college experience.
But the overarching theme of the day was one of support. Johnson expressed nothing but delight that Morris Brown College, for instance, located in Atlanta, was finding success after years of hardship.
At the same time, Johnson’s tone amplified when she spoke of her own university and its accomplishments. Without reserve, she revealed an underlying battle between several HBCUs over which school reigns that seemed to ruminate over the entire pride-filled event. Presumably, if provoked, a friendly debate between two “rival” schools could have been ignited – and perhaps at some point, one was.
It’s all part of the college experience.
But the overarching theme of the day was one of support. Johnson expressed nothing but delight that Morris Brown College, for instance, located in Atlanta, was finding success after years of hardship.
“HBCUs are schools that give people another chance, especially when they’re not able to get into Ivy League schools or a predominantly white institution,” said Johnson. “We have HBCUs with great programs. It’s going to be important for our students to continue to pour into our youth and our communities, and we’d love for everyone to support us in any way that they can.”
Many called for greater investments in HBCU’s in anticipation of higher enrollment rates.
This piece was republished from the Miami Times.