HBCU ORIGINAL
HBCU All-Stars Embark on Historic International Tour to Paris, France!

In an exciting development for collegiate athletics, the HBCU All-Stars are set to embark on an international tour to Paris, France, taking place June 19-26. This initiative aims to showcase the exceptional talent of student-athletes from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) on a global stage, fostering cultural exchange and providing invaluable experiences for the players.
A Milestone in HBCU Athletics
The HBCU All-Stars International Tour marks a significant milestone in the history of HBCU athletics. This team is composed of ten former HBCU All-Stars who will be traveling internationally to compete in Paris’ QUAI 54 World Streetball Championship and Friendly Exhibition Games. By competing internationally, these student-athletes have the opportunity to gain exposure, experience different cultures, and engage with a broader audience.
“This tour represents a unique opportunity for our student-athletes to showcase their talents on an international stage,” said Dr. Charles McClelland, Commissioner of the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC). “It’s a testament to the hard work and dedication of these young men and women, and it reinforces the global impact of HBCUs.”
What Are They About
To understand how groundbreaking this international competition is, we must start with their story. The All-Star Game is a basketball game that showcases the best HBCU players in the country across several divisions. This annual game recently took place on Sunday, April 7, and was broadcast live on the CBS Television Network. Team Ben Wallace triumphed over Team Rick Mahorn with a final score of 108-97. Team Wallace player and MVP, Dhashon Dyson of Bethune-Cookman, knocked down five three-pointers and scored 19 points overall in the game.
Apparently, these North American coasts cannot contain the talent showcased by these young men. Shortly after the third annual game, the HBCU All-Stars announced they would be taking their skills internationally. Their 2024 roster features HBCU All-Stars from 2022-2024.
The 2024 HBCU All-Star International Team Roster:
Sponsorship and Support
The tour has garnered significant support from various sponsors, including major corporations and alumni associations. These partnerships have provided the necessary funding and resources to ensure the success of the tour.
“We are grateful for the support of our sponsors, who recognize the importance of this initiative,” said Dr. Wayne Frederick, President of Howard University. “Their contributions have made it possible for our student-athletes to embark on this journey and represent our institutions with pride.”
Tour Highlights and Itinerary
The HBCU All-Stars will spend their time in Paris participating in a series of exhibition games against top European university teams. The tour will also include various events where players can interact with local fans and students and engage in community service activities, including basketball clinics for local youth, fostering goodwill and cultural exchange.
Looking Ahead
As the HBCU All-Stars prepare for their international tour, the excitement and anticipation continue to build. This historic event promises to be a transformative experience for the student-athletes and a pivotal moment in the ongoing effort to elevate HBCU athletics.
The tour is not only a celebration of athletic excellence but also a testament to the resilience, talent, and potential of HBCU students. It serves as a reminder of the rich history and contribution of HBCUs to the broader landscape of higher education and sports.
HBCU ORIGINAL
HBCU Stars Shine in Eugene at NCAA 2025

🏅 HBCU Stars Shine in Eugene at NCAA 2025
The 2025 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships brought the best of the best to Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon—and HBCU athletes rose to the occasion. Here’s how they placed in the finals:
🥉 Jordan Pierre (University of Arkansas‑Pine Bluff)
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Event: Men’s 400 m
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Final Placement: 3rd Place – 45.75 seconds
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Achievement: First Team All‑America
💪 Jarrett Gentles (Coppin State University)
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Event: Men’s 400 m Hurdles
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Final Placement: 9th Overall
🥉 Marcia Sey (Howard University)
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Event: Women’s 100 m Hurdles
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Final Placement: 3rd Place – 12.93 seconds
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Achievement: First Team All‑America and highest NCAA finish in Howard’s track history
🏃♀️ Howard Women’s 4×100 m Relay
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Team Members: Kailei Collins, Marcia Sey, Tiffani‑Rae Pittman, Aiyana Gray‑Williams
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Final Placement: 6th Place – 43.23 seconds
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Achievement: First Team All‑America
📊 Quick Recap
Athlete / Team | Event | Final Result | Honors |
---|---|---|---|
Jordan Pierre (UAPB) | 400 m | 🥉 3rd Place | First Team All-America |
Jarrett Gentles (Coppin State) | 400 m Hurdles | 9th Place | – |
Marcia Sey (Howard) | 100 m Hurdles | 🥉 3rd Place – 12.93s | First Team All-America |
Howard 4×100 Relay | 4×100 m | 6th Place – 43.23s | First Team All-America |
Events
Breakdown: 26 Cities with Major Juneteenth Celebrations

📍 Breakdown: 26 Cities with Major Juneteenth Celebrations
Southeast:
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Atlanta, GA – Huge parade, live music, family zone
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Memphis, TN – Festival on the Mississippi + fireworks
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Orlando, FL – Juneteenth 5K & educational symposiums
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Charlotte, NC – Vendor village + youth storytelling
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New Orleans, LA – Food, music, culture by the bayou
Northeast:
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Philadelphia, PA – Historic AAMP exhibits & gospel showcase
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Baltimore, MD – Spoken word, storytelling & street festival
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New York, NY – Broadway block party + family market
Midwest:
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Chicago, IL – Annual Juneteenth Parade & picnic
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Detroit, MI – Wellness walks, cultural talks, food trucks
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Cleveland, OH – Outdoor movie night + music
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St. Louis, MO – Educational workshops + parade
South:
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Houston, TX – Celebrating at historic Emancipation Park
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Dallas, TX – Deep Ellum block party & poetry
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Birmingham, AL – Health & wealth expos
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Jackson, MS – Family freedom fest + Black-owned vendors
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Louisville, KY – Parade + Black Wall Street event
West Coast & Beyond:
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Los Angeles, CA – Grand Park celebration, Black culture exhibits
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Oakland, CA – Freedom Festival & economic empowerment fair
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San Francisco, CA – Parade across Fillmore
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Denver, CO – Street fair, live jazz, unity march
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Seattle, WA – Community rally & soul food
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Phoenix, AZ – HBCU alumni cookout & music
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Minneapolis, MN – Youth dance & spoken word
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Columbus, OH – Citywide Juneteenth march
🎓 HBCUs at the Center
Many of these celebrations include HBCU marching bands, alumni chapters, student orgs, and vendor booths. From performances to education panels, HBCUs continue to be pillars in preserving the legacy of Juneteenth.
🔗 Join the Movement
📷 Tag @THEHBCUORIGINAL
🏷️ Hashtags: #HBCUJuneteenth #Juneteenth2025 #BlackFreedom
Events
🖤 What is Juneteenth? Celebrating Black Freedom & Culture

Juneteenth—short for June Nineteenth—is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States. On June 19, 1865, more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, Union Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, with federal troops and issued General Order No. 3, announcing that all enslaved people were free.
For the estimated 250,000 Black people still enslaved in Texas, this was the first time they were told of their freedom. While freedom had been the law since January 1, 1863, it wasn’t enforced in remote Confederate states like Texas until Union troops physically arrived.
But Juneteenth is more than a date.
It’s a spiritual and cultural milestone. It represents:
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Delayed justice, but not denied dignity.
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A collective awakening to freedom.
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The beginning of a new fight—for land, civil rights, and equity.
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The power of Black resilience, community, and culture.
Since its origin, Juneteenth has evolved from small family cookouts and church gatherings into nationwide celebrations filled with festivals, education, music, and activism. In 2021, it was officially recognized as a federal holiday, a testament to generations of Black voices demanding that America remember and respect this part of its history.
Juneteenth and Slavery in Texas
In Texas, slavery had continued as the state experienced no large-scale fighting or significant presence of Union troops. Many enslavers from outside the Lone Star State had moved there, as they viewed it as a safe haven for slavery.
After the war came to a close in the spring of 1865, General Granger’s arrival in Galveston that June signaled freedom for Texas’s 250,000 enslaved people. Although emancipation didn’t happen overnight for everyone—in some cases, enslavers withheld the information until after harvest season—celebrations broke out among newly freed Black people, and Juneteenth was born. That December, slavery in America was formally abolished with the adoption of the 13th Amendment.
The year following 1865, freedmen in Texas organized the first of what became the annual celebration of “Jubilee Day” on June 19. In the ensuing decades, Juneteenth commemorations featured music, barbecues, prayer services and other activities, and as Black people migrated from Texas to other parts of the country the Juneteenth tradition spread.
Events
Under Armour Celebrates Maryland HBCUs with “Sisterhood in Style” Sneaker Campaign
HBCU ORIGINAL
Florida A&M’s Kirk Dawkins Set to Compete at NCAA Division I Outdoor Championships

June 10, 2025 | Eugene, Oregon
Florida A&M’s standout middle-distance runner, Kirk Dawkins, is headed to the big stage as he prepares to compete in the 800-meter semifinals at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships this Wednesday. The race will take place at 8:58 p.m. EST at the legendary Hayward Field, located on the campus of the University of Oregon.
Catch the action live on ESPN.
Dawkins earned his spot at nationals by running a personal-best time of 1:46.62 at the NCAA East Regional quarterfinals—an impressive mark that solidifies his status among the elite in collegiate track.
This season has been a breakout year for the FAMU junior. He claimed the SWAC Outdoor Championship title in the 800 meters with a time of 1:50.2 and followed that up with a strong 1:48.01 showing at the East Coast Relays. His steady improvement and commitment to excellence are paying off as he heads into the national spotlight.
All eyes will be on Dawkins Wednesday night as he looks to continue his historic season and represent Florida A&M on the national stage.
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