Published: June 26, 2025 | By HBCU Original

In a historic and heartfelt tribute, the 2025 NBA Draft spotlighted the trailblazers who paved the way for Black athletes in professional basketball — the HBCU legends. This year, the NBA took time between selections to honor the pioneers from Historically Black Colleges and Universities whose impact helped transform the game on and off the court.

Recognizing the Legacy

Among those honored were standout HBCU alumni who shattered barriers during segregation, dominated at the collegiate level, and later became some of the first Black players in the NBA and ABA. The league recognized names like:

• Earl “The Pearl” Monroe – Winston-Salem State University

• Willis Reed – Grambling State University

• Sam Jones – North Carolina Central University

• Zelmo Beaty – Prairie View A&M

• Ben Wallace – Virginia Union University

• Rick Mahorn – Hampton University

These legends not only excelled on the hardwood but opened doors for generations of athletes from underrepresented communities.

A Moment of Gratitude and Awareness

During the ceremony, a special video segment showcased vintage highlights, narrated reflections, and stories from current NBA stars who called these legends their inspirations. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver acknowledged the underrepresented history of HBCU athletes in pro basketball, emphasizing the league’s ongoing commitment to diversity, inclusion, and HBCU partnerships.

Modern-Day Influence

With more HBCU players making waves in pro and international leagues, this tribute was also a powerful reminder of the talent, heart, and resilience that comes from HBCU programs. Current players like Robert Covington (Tennessee State) and Kyle O’Quinn (Norfolk State) continue that tradition of excellence.

Final Thoughts

This celebration was more than overdue—it was necessary. Honoring HBCU pioneers at one of basketball’s biggest events affirmed that greatness doesn’t just come from Power Five schools—it’s always lived within the culture of Black college sports.

HBCU Original salutes all the pioneers who made the game what it is today. Their stories matter. Their legacy continues. And now, the world is watching.

Tennessee State University (TSU), the state’s only publicly funded historically Black land-grant university, has signed a landmark agreement with the state of Tennessee to stabilize its financial future.

After months of uncertainty and scrutiny over budget shortfalls and rising operational costs, TSU and state officials finalized a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on Tuesday that allows the university to redirect $96 million in previously earmarked capital improvement funds toward operations over the next three years.

This move comes just days after TSU’s Board of Trustees approved a 6% tuition and fee increase for the upcoming academic year, amounting to a $270 bump per semester for students.

The MOU, signed in partnership with the Tennessee Department of Finance and Administration and the State Comptroller’s Office, activates a new state law that permits TSU to repurpose unspent capital funds for operational costs—under strict conditions. Originally, the state allocated $250 million to TSU for campus infrastructure improvements, excluding dormitory projects, despite TSU’s well-documented student housing crisis.

Under the new agreement, $55 million of the original capital funds will still go toward much-needed campus improvements—such as upgrades to electrical grids and the construction of new buildings—while the remaining $96 million will help fund operational needs, including payroll, student services, and academic programming.

Interim TSU President Dwayne Tucker hailed the deal as a critical step forward.

“It not only provides crucial cash flow to ensure the university’s financial sustainability, but also allows us to invest in enriching the student experience and strengthening our capacity to attract both students and qualified employees,” said Tucker.

Last November, the State Building Commission already approved an emergency $43 million allocation from the capital funds to help TSU meet payroll and finish the budget year.

State Comptroller Jason Mumpower, who has been closely monitoring the university’s financial challenges, expressed confidence in TSU’s new leadership and supported the tuition hike.

“I believe in their ability to understand and navigate the institution’s challenges,” said Mumpower, who previously suggested controversial cost-cutting ideas like selling the university’s Avon Williams Campus and land at John Tune Airport—proposals that TSU firmly rejected.

Tensions between TSU and the state escalated last year after a spike in enrollment strained the university’s resources. At its peak in Fall 2022, enrollment surged to over 8,000 students. To accommodate them, TSU resorted to housing students in nearby hotels and churches, prompting state Senate hearings and eventually contributing to the resignation of then-President Glenda Glover.

The university’s aggressive scholarship program, funded by $37 million in COVID-era federal relief grants, had driven the enrollment boom. But once the federal money dried up, TSU struggled to maintain the same level of support. It relied on other sources, including $19.6 million in tornado insurance funds, to stay afloat.

Amid these financial strains, leadership changes followed. After Glover’s departure, an interim president stepped in but later resigned when it was revealed he had signed two $800,000 consulting contracts with Glover—further shaking confidence in the university’s governance.

Now, with a new agreement in place and fresh leadership at the helm, TSU is aiming for a reset. The university is also advocating for additional funding, pointing to long-standing underfunding issues. A federal study found TSU was shortchanged by $2.1 billion over the past 30 years, echoing a previous state report citing a $544 million gap over a century.

With the new deal, TSU looks to stabilize its finances, improve campus infrastructure, and continue its mission to serve as a vital educational institution for Tennessee’s Black community and beyond.

On June 21st, Philadelphia’s Parkside neighborhood was buzzing with energy, community, and celebration as Elevation Project 215 marked a major milestone — their 10th Anniversary — with the 4th Annual Nice Guy Community Festival. This wasn’t just any festival; it was a vibrant, free event packed with resources, culture, and one unforgettable headline performance.

Founded by LaTrista T. Webb, a proud Southern University at New Orleans alumna, and James Smith, a respected entrepreneur and reentry advocate, Elevation Project has dedicated a decade to empowering Philly’s communities through outreach, mentorship, and uplifting programming. The Nice Guy Festival is the perfect reflection of their mission — bringing people together to celebrate resilience, brotherhood, and healing.

The festival featured a host of free services including a market stocked with essentials, wellness and self-care stations specially designed for men, and an array of local food trucks and vendors serving delicious eats. Many talented local artists also took part, showcasing Philly’s rich creative spirit and adding to the festival’s vibrant atmosphere. The spirit of giving back was palpable, with community members connecting, supporting one another, and embracing a day of unity.

The highlight of the event was the live concert featuring hip-hop legend Jadakiss, who brought the heat with a powerful set, reminding everyone why he’s not only a rap icon but also a successful businessman behind brands like Kiss Cafe Coffee and Juices for Life. His performance was a call to uplift culture and community, perfectly aligning with the spirit of Elevation Project.

This festival showed that true community empowerment comes from consistent effort, authentic connection, and bold celebration. Elevation Project’s 10 years of impact were on full display — and with leaders like LaTrista and James at the helm, the future looks brighter than ever.

Stay tuned for more events, stories, and ways to get involved with Elevation Project 215. Philly is rising — and the Nice Guy Festival is leading the way.

📍 Breakdown: 26 Cities with Major Juneteenth Celebrations

Southeast:

• Atlanta, GA – Huge parade, live music, family zone

• Memphis, TN – Festival on the Mississippi + fireworks

• Orlando, FL – Juneteenth 5K & educational symposiums

• Charlotte, NC – Vendor village + youth storytelling

• New Orleans, LA – Food, music, culture by the bayou

Northeast:

• Philadelphia, PA – Historic AAMP exhibits & gospel showcase

• Baltimore, MD – Spoken word, storytelling & street festival

• New York, NY – Broadway block party + family market

Midwest:

• Chicago, IL – Annual Juneteenth Parade & picnic

• Detroit, MI – Wellness walks, cultural talks, food trucks

• Cleveland, OH – Outdoor movie night + music

• St. Louis, MO – Educational workshops + parade

South:

• Houston, TX – Celebrating at historic Emancipation Park

• Dallas, TX – Deep Ellum block party & poetry

• Birmingham, AL – Health & wealth expos

• Jackson, MS – Family freedom fest + Black-owned vendors

• Louisville, KY – Parade + Black Wall Street event

West Coast & Beyond:

• Los Angeles, CA – Grand Park celebration, Black culture exhibits

• Oakland, CA – Freedom Festival & economic empowerment fair

• San Francisco, CA – Parade across Fillmore

• Denver, CO – Street fair, live jazz, unity march

• Seattle, WA – Community rally & soul food

• Phoenix, AZ – HBCU alumni cookout & music

• Minneapolis, MN – Youth dance & spoken word

• 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

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:

• Delayed justice, but not denied dignity.

• A collective awakening to freedom.

• The beginning of a new fight—for land, civil rights, and equity.

• 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.