HBCU ORIGINAL
Harris-Walz Campaign Kicks Off HBCU Homecoming Tour to Engage Black Voters
With the 2024 election season heating up, the Harris-Walz campaign is hitting the road with a dynamic new strategy aimed at mobilizing young Black voters. Vice President Kamala Harris and Governor Tim Walz have officially launched their Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Homecoming Tour, targeting pivotal battleground states ahead of election day.
Connecting with Gen-Z and Millennials at HBCUs
As the race for the White House narrows with less than 40 days to go, Harris and her opponent, Donald Trump, are aggressively working to win over undecided voters, particularly in swing states like Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, North Carolina, and Nevada. Both candidates understand the growing influence of Gen-Z and millennial voters, especially within the Black community. This group has shown an increased level of engagement in the 2024 election, with voters under 35 making up 81% of new registrations on National Voter Registration Day, according to Vote.gov.
The Importance of HBCU Homecomings
HBCU homecomings are much more than just football games and reunions – they are powerful cultural celebrations that honor the history, heritage, and academic achievements of Black Americans. For many, these events are a reflection of the progress made in education and civil rights, and they provide a perfect backdrop for political outreach.
Homecoming season draws thousands of current students, alumni, and families to campus for a series of events. Harris and Walz are tapping into this unique energy by visiting some of the most prominent HBCUs across the nation, beginning with Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) in North Carolina on September 28, where they hosted a tailgate for the WSSU vs. Bowie State University game. Despite the challenges caused by Hurricane Helene, the event brought together students and supporters alike.
Key Tour Stops and Special Moments
A particularly significant stop on the tour will be Howard University, Harris’ alma mater. As a proud graduate and member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Harris will join in celebrating Howard’s 100th homecoming on October 19. This historic occasion is set to be a memorable one, with thousands of alumni expected to attend and the Vice President herself leading the charge.
The campaign will wrap up in Georgia with stops at Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, and Spelman College, where Harris and Walz aim to energize young voters ahead of election day.
Tour Schedule
Here’s a look at the current schedule for the Harris-Walz HBCU Homecoming Tour:
- Sept. 28 – Winston-Salem State University
- Oct. 12 – Lincoln University
- Oct. 12 – Virginia State University
- Oct. 19 – Howard University
- Oct. 19 – North Carolina A&T State University
- Oct. 19 – Clark Atlanta University
- Oct. 26 – Morehouse College
- Oct. 26 – Spelman College
More campus visits may be announced in the coming days as the campaign continues its efforts to engage and mobilize voters.
Why This Matters
The Harris-Walz HBCU Homecoming Tour isn’t just about political rallies – it’s about recognizing the significance of these educational institutions in shaping Black leaders of tomorrow. By connecting with students and alumni, the campaign is making a concerted effort to address the issues that matter most to young Black voters, from education and healthcare to civil rights and economic justice.
Stay tuned for more updates from the tour as Harris and Walz continue their journey through HBCU campuses, rallying voters to make their voices heard in this pivotal election.
The SWAC delivered one of the biggest championship storylines of the season as Jackson State and Florida A&M claimed the 2026 outdoor track & field titles.
Jackson State shocked the conference by capturing the men’s championship, powered by explosive sprint performances and clutch relay execution. The Tigers built momentum throughout the meet and held off late pushes to secure a historic breakthrough title.
On the women’s side, Florida A&M continued its championship tradition, controlling the meet with consistent scoring across sprints, hurdles, and field events. The Rattlers’ depth once again proved decisive as they stayed ahead of a competitive field to claim another SWAC crown.
Two different stories — one breakthrough, one dynasty — defined the SWAC season.
The SIAC championships belonged to Morehouse and Tuskegee as both programs delivered complete team performances to claim the 2026 outdoor track & field titles.
On the men’s side, Morehouse controlled the meet from start to finish, scoring consistently across sprints, distance, and field events to build separation early. The Maroon Tigers maintained their advantage through the final events, sealing another conference championship built on depth and execution.
On the women’s side, Tuskegee continued its dominance with a back-to-back SIAC championship performance. The Golden Tigers delivered strong scoring across sprints, relays, and field events, holding off the field once again to repeat as conference champions.
Together, Morehouse and Tuskegee set the standard in SIAC track & field heading into postseason competition.
The HBCUAC championship meet marked a new era as Voorhees and Dillard claimed the 2026 outdoor track & field titles in defining early conference performances.
Voorhees secured the men’s championship through consistent scoring across sprints, middle distance, and field events, proving to be the most complete team in a tightly contested meet.
Dillard followed on the women’s side with a strong all-around effort, highlighted by relay execution and key individual performances that helped them control the championship race from start to finish.
The HBCUAC now begins its competitive identity with two early benchmark programs setting the standard.
HBCU ORIGINAL
OVC Outdoor Track & Field — Eastern Illinois & Southeast Missouri Take Control, Tennessee State Battles in the Mix
The Ohio Valley Conference delivered a high-level championship meet in Little Rock as Eastern Illinois and Southeast Missouri claimed the 2026 outdoor track & field titles, while Tennessee State fought to stay inside the top tier.
Eastern Illinois captured the men’s championship with a powerful overall team performance, using depth across sprints, distance, and field events to hold off a competitive field. Southeast Missouri stayed right behind the pace, finishing runner-up behind a balanced scoring attack that kept pressure on throughout the meet.
On the women’s side, Southeast Missouri dominated the field to secure the OVC crown, led by consistent scoring across multiple event groups and a strong closing push in the final sessions. Eastern Illinois again finished near the top, locking in runner-up status and showing its program-wide strength on both sides of competition.
Tennessee State was the key HBCU presence in the conference, finishing in the middle of the standings on both the men’s and women’s side. The Tigers showed flashes in sprints, hurdles, and relays, but lacked the depth needed to break into the championship tier against the OVC’s top programs.
The meet reinforced Southeast Missouri’s growing conference dominance while Eastern Illinois remains a consistent championship contender on both sides.
The MEAC once again ran through two familiar powers as Norfolk State and Howard claimed the 2026 outdoor track & field championships in dominant fashion.
On the men’s side, Norfolk State continued its conference dynasty, securing its fifth straight MEAC outdoor title. The Spartans delivered across sprints, hurdles, and relays, using depth and execution in the final events to separate from the field and close out another championship run.
On the women’s side, Howard extended its own reign of dominance, stacking points across distance races, field events, and relays to secure another MEAC crown. The Bison’s balance and consistency across all disciplines once again proved too much for the rest of the conference.
MEAC dominance remains firmly in the hands of Norfolk State and Howard heading into postseason competition.
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