Alumni Spotlight
Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation Commits $6.5 Million To Refurbish Fields at Four Historically Black Colleges and Universities
With support from the NFL Foundation, LISC oversaw the field preparations for the upcoming 2024 football season.
On August 20, 2024, it was announced that four historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) will unveil newly refurbished football fields this fall, thanks to grants exceeding $6.5 million from the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation.
The HBCU Invitational Field Refurbishment Program, an invitational grant initiative, was established to enhance the quality, safety, and accessibility of football fields for students and local community youth groups. Funded by the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation and supported by the NFL Foundation, this program targeted select HBCUs in Georgia and Alabama. The Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), the nation’s leading community development support organization, managed the program. LISC, in partnership with the NFL, has refurbished hundreds of community football fields across the country over the past 25 years.
The grants were allocated as follows:
- Albany State University (Albany, Georgia): Conversion of the natural grass football and soccer field at Albany State University Coliseum to turf.
- Clark Atlanta University (Atlanta, Georgia): Replacement of the current turf at Panther Stadium.
- Miles College (Fairfield, Alabama): Conversion of the natural grass at the practice facility to turf.
- Savannah State University (Savannah, Georgia): Replacement of the turf at Ted Wright Stadium’s football and soccer field.
The grant awards followed a competitive request for proposals process. Construction was managed by The Land Tek Group, Inc., a company with over 40 years of experience in sports facility development, in collaboration with local contractors engaged by the universities.
“The positive impact of athletics is a driving force across our business portfolio,” said Rich McKay, CEO of AMB Sports and Entertainment. “Arthur Blank and his Family Foundation prioritize community impact through sport, and supporting these historic institutions aligns with our values. We’re proud to partner with LISC, the NFL Foundation, and these universities to enhance their playing surfaces, with the shared goal of creating more opportunities for students and the surrounding communities.”
“This program is one of many ways the NFL is deepening its commitment to HBCUs,” said Alexia Gallagher, NFL VP of Philanthropy and Executive Director of the NFL Foundation. “We are thrilled to provide resources that allow student-athletes at these institutions to excel on the football field while fostering equal opportunities for all.”
“Thanks to the Arthur M. Blank Foundation and the NFL Foundation, we can provide capital and technical expertise to institutions that offer immense value to students but may not have the same financial resources as larger universities,” said Michael T. Pugh, LISC President and CEO. “With access to these flexible resources, the schools can make critical updates that benefit not only the institutions but also improve the health and well-being of students and community members.”
About the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation
The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, established by Arthur M. Blank, co-founder of The Home Depot, in 1995, focuses on transforming lives and communities by bringing people together across differences to find common cause. The foundation has granted over $1 billion to various charitable causes, with collective giving areas including Atlanta’s Westside, Democracy, Environment, Mental Health and Well-Being, and Youth Development. For more information, visit www.blankfoundation.org.
About LISC
LISC is one of the largest community development organizations in the U.S., dedicated to creating vibrant, resilient communities. Since 1979, LISC has invested $32 billion to develop affordable homes, community spaces, and employment opportunities, all while working to close systemic gaps in health, wealth, and opportunity and advance racial equity.
About the NFL Foundation
The NFL Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving lives through football, supporting athletes at all levels and the communities that embrace the sport. The foundation, backed by the 32 NFL clubs, focuses on health, safety, and wellness, and has become a leading philanthropic entity, contributing to various causes across the U.S. and beyond. For more information, visit NFLFoundation.org.
Alumni Spotlight
Essence Fest 2026 puts Grambling State’s marching band and HBCU culture on a national stage
Coca-Cola is once again using the ESSENCE Festival of Culture to put a spotlight on HBCU pride, and this year Grambling State University is at the center of it.
The 2026 festival runs July 3-5 in New Orleans, and Coca-Cola has released its entertainment and cultural programming for the weekend. On the Coca-Cola Stage, the lineup includes performances from Destin Conrad, Coi Leray and Mario. But the bigger story for the HBCU community is a separate activation built around Coca-Cola’s “The World Is My Yard” platform, which brings actress Eva Marcille together with a performance from Grambling State’s World Famed Tiger Marching Band — one of the most recognized names in HBCU band culture.
The activation goes beyond a performance slot. Representatives from 15 HBCUs will be on-site holding office hours for prospective students and their families, covering admissions, academic programs, campus life and other pathways into HBCU education. That turns the festival into a recruiting and visibility opportunity as much as a cultural showcase — a chance for schools like Grambling State to reach families who may never set foot on a Southern HBCU campus otherwise.
This marks Coca-Cola’s 31st consecutive year as an Essence Fest partner. The company’s 2026 platform theme, “Every Side Shines,” is centered on music, wellness, culture and connection. Stephanie Eaddy, Coca-Cola’s senior director of cultural marketing, framed the festival as something bigger than a single weekend, calling it “a powerful platform for connection, community and impact.”
The festival’s footprint extends well past culture and music. Coca-Cola noted that the 2025 event generated more than $321 million in economic impact for New Orleans, supported upwards of 2,400 jobs, and produced over $103 million in income for local workers and businesses — numbers that underscore just how much weight Essence Fest carries for the city each summer.
For Grambling State, the appearance is another example of HBCU culture reaching a national audience through a mainstream platform — band culture, brand partnership, and student recruitment all overlapping in one weekend in New Orleans.
Alumni Impact
Alabama State University and Morris Brown College Forge New Graduate Education Pathway
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — In a move that highlights the continued spirit of collaboration among Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Alabama State University (ASU) and Morris Brown College have officially entered into a new partnership designed to expand educational opportunities for students seeking advanced degrees.
The two institutions signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on June 16, 2026, at Alabama State University’s historic campus in Montgomery, Alabama. The agreement creates a direct pathway for Morris Brown College graduates to apply for admission into Alabama State University’s graduate degree programs, including several online offerings.
University leaders say the partnership reflects a shared commitment to increasing access to higher education while preparing the next generation of professionals, educators, and community leaders.
“Historically Black colleges and universities have long worked together to create opportunities that transform lives and strengthen communities,” said Alabama State University President Dr. Quinton T. Ross Jr. “As an institution founded to educate and prepare teachers, this partnership brings us full circle. Joining with Morris Brown College to continue that legacy makes this collaboration especially meaningful.”
The agreement is expected to create new opportunities for Morris Brown graduates seeking advanced degrees, particularly in the field of education. Alabama State University’s College of Education will play a key role in supporting students as they continue their academic journeys.
Dean Anthony Broughton emphasized the importance of the collaboration in addressing future workforce needs.
“This partnership with Morris Brown College represents our shared commitment to student achievement and to creating pathways that support educational and professional advancement,” Broughton said. “We are excited to welcome and support Morris Brown students as they pursue careers in education and help strengthen the teaching workforce for generations to come.”
The signing ceremony brought together ASU President Dr. Quinton T. Ross Jr. and Morris Brown College President Dr. Kevin E. James, symbolizing the growing cooperation among HBCUs dedicated to student success and institutional advancement.
As HBCUs continue to innovate and build strategic partnerships, this agreement serves as another example of how Black colleges are working together to create opportunities that extend beyond graduation. The collaboration not only strengthens academic pathways but also reinforces the historic mission of HBCUs to uplift communities through education, leadership, and service.
HBCU Original Magazine will continue to follow this partnership and its impact on students across both institutions.
Alumni Impact
Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation’s HBCU Scholarship Initiative Tops $4.2 Million in Student Support
The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation has reached an early milestone in its ambitious $50 million, 10-year scholarship commitment, announcing that more than $4.2 million has already been distributed to students attending Atlanta’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
Launched in October 2025, the initiative is designed to provide critical “gap funding” to juniors and seniors who are closest to graduation but may be held back by remaining financial balances. The program focuses specifically on students in their final semesters, a period when financial pressure is often most intense and traditional aid options have been exhausted.
To date, the foundation has supported approximately 600 students across three major HBCUs in Atlanta: Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, and Spelman College.
Breakdowns provided by the foundation show $1.45 million distributed to 290 students at Clark Atlanta, $1.24 million to 115 students at Morehouse, and $1.65 million to 189 students at Spelman.
Among the recipients is Kayla Drummond, a first-generation Clark Atlanta University student who is set to graduate this year. Drummond used the scholarship assistance to eliminate a remaining balance that had threatened her ability to complete her degree.
“From my first time stepping on Clark Atlanta’s campus I felt a sense of family and this is where I belong,” Drummond said. “This diploma isn’t just for me, it’s for my family, it’s for my friends, the love, the prayers, the support.”
Foundation leaders say the program is built to scale over the next decade, with the goal of supporting thousands of students while encouraging broader investment in HBCU student success nationwide.
“We’ve seen what’s possible when students get the support they need to cross the finish line,” said Margaret Connelly, managing director of Founder Initiatives at the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation. “That’s what drives this work, and why we hope this initiative encourages others to invest in closing these gaps and helping more students achieve the futures they’ve worked so hard to reach.”
The initiative continues to position itself as one of the most significant private scholarship efforts supporting HBCU students in recent years.
DURHAM, N.C. – North Carolina Central University’s Juan Velarde has secured his spot as one of 13 finalists for the prestigious Doris Robinson Award, presented by FedEx, which recognizes the top scholar-athlete in FCS football.
Velarde, who graduated in December 2023 with a degree in business administration with a focus on entrepreneurship, is now advancing his studies in NCCU’s MBA program while maintaining an impressive 4.0 GPA. A member of Beta Gamma Sigma, the National Society of Leadership and Success, and NCCU’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, Velarde’s accomplishments extend beyond the classroom. He’s also part of the University Honors Program and serves on the North Carolina Governor’s Advisory Council for Hispanic and Latino Affairs, adding to his impressive résumé.
Known for his impact in the Durham community, Velarde dedicates time to volunteer at local schools, continuing his leadership and service beyond the field.
On the gridiron, Velarde has dominated as a two-time MEAC Specialist of the Week, ranking among the top punters nationwide with a 44.4-yard punt average. With eight of his 31 punts traveling over 50 yards and 11 landing inside the opponent’s 20-yard line, he’s helped shape the field position game for the Eagles. Velarde’s kicking is equally impressive, going 4-for-5 on field goals, including a 43-yard kick against Campbell.
If selected, Velarde would join former defensive lineman Jessie Malit, who won the Doris Robinson Award in 2020, as NCCU’s second honoree. Established in 2015, the Doris Robinson Award honors FCS student-athletes who demonstrate remarkable commitment to their team, academics, and community, upholding the legacy of Doris Robinson, the former schoolteacher and wife of the legendary Grambling coach Eddie Robinson.
In partnership with FedEx, the Doris Robinson Scholar-Athlete Award reinforces a commitment to supporting student-athletes’ future success. FedEx further promotes this mission through the Career Expose – College Pathways Program, offering resources that prepare young leaders for life after college sports.
Finalists will be featured on The Analyst in November, with the award recipient announced on Dec. 10, followed by an awards ceremony at the Stats Perform FCS National Awards Banquet on Jan. 4 in Frisco, Texas. The banquet will also highlight the Walter Payton, Buck Buchanan, Jerry Rice, Eddie Robinson, and the inaugural HBCU FCS Player of the Year Awards.
For all NCCU Athletics updates, check out NCCUEaglePride.com or download the NCCU Eagles Athletics app.
Alumni Impact
How to Watch Morehouse College vs. Howard University: TV, Live Stream Info, and Location for the 2024 HBCU NY Classic
By Mary Omatiga
Published: September 12, 2024, 09:00 AM
This Saturday, September 14, Morehouse College takes on Howard University in the 3rd annual HBCU NY Classic, airing live on CNBC and streaming on Peacock. This highly anticipated matchup kicks off the start of HBCU Homecoming week, where fans, students, and alumni will gather at MetLife Stadium for the world’s largest HBCU Homecoming celebration.
Expect a day filled with exciting festivities, including a drumline showcase, step show, and a battle of the bands, all culminating in a halftime performance by Grammy Award-winning artist Sean Paul. Live coverage of the game begins at 3:00 PM ET. Find out how to tune in below.
How to Watch Morehouse College vs. Howard University:
- Date: Saturday, September 14
- Location: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
- Time: 3:00 PM ET
- TV Channel: CNBC
- Live Stream: Peacock
Game Location:
The game will be held at MetLife Stadium, home to the New York Giants and Jets, in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Head-to-Head Matchup:
The Morehouse Tigers and Howard Bison share a fierce rivalry dating back to the 1920s. Here are their most recent results:
- September 10, 2011 – Howard 30, Morehouse 27
- September 1, 2012 – Howard 30, Morehouse 29
- September 7, 2013 – Howard 27, Morehouse 16
- September 13, 2014 – Howard 35, Morehouse 17
- September 9, 2023 – Howard 65, Morehouse 19
What Does HBCU Stand For?
HBCU stands for Historically Black Colleges and Universities, institutions founded with the mission of providing higher education opportunities to Black Americans.
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