Homecoming Bliss: How Virginia State University’s 2024 Celebration Brought Fashion, Food, And Fellowship To Trojan Land
There is simply no place like homecoming at a historically Black college or university (HBCU). From the fashion to the food to the fellowship, it is truly the destination to be during the fall season, and there’s this sort of magic that falls over the yard in preparation for homecoming.
In anticipation for next week’s AspireU: HBCU Spirit Week, which will feature programming from your favorite aspireTV shows like HBCU 101, 6 Minutes To Glory: The HBCU Band Experience, The Graduates, and more, we are taking an inside look at Virginia State University’s Homecoming.
Virginia State University recently wrapped celebrations on its 2024 homecoming season, and it was filled with everything from a new plot uncovered by Alpha Phi Alpha Fratenity, Inc., a riveting concert performance by GloRilla and Bossman D Low, along with a fashion show, step show, and many more activities.
Moreover, HBCU 101’s host, Jahliel Thurman, a proud graduate of VSU, journeyed home to Trojan Land to continue his HBCU Honors dinner, a traveling event where he is activating with various schools to celebrate HBCU legends in their respective journeys. Alongside Kevin Hart’s Gran Coramino tequila, brands like DTLR, iPower 92.1, Remy Martin, Team Hood Enterprises, and the HBCU Made platform partnered with Thurman to bring the event at VSU to life. Held at Mary Lou’s in Richmond, Virginia, a Black-owned restaurant, which also happens to stem from another proud product of VSU, many alum gathered along with one lucky Mass Communications student who won a contest to be able to attend and rub shoulders with alum who bring their Trojan pride into everything that they do.
“For anyone who has attended an HBCU, homecoming is more than just a game or a series of events—it’s a family reunion. It’s a time to reconnect with the place that molded us, celebrate the culture, and be surrounded by people who truly understand the HBCU experience. The energy at homecoming is unmatched because it’s a celebration of community, history, and the shared legacy of excellence that HBCUs represent,” Thurman told aspireTV. “That’s what inspired me to hold the HBCU Honors Dinners this season. These dinners are my way of paying tribute to those who have helped shape the HBCU culture and continue to carry the torch forward. It’s about recognizing the past while celebrating the present, and ultimately preparing the next generation to continue the legacy.”
He added, “The Virginia State University Honors Dinner, in particular, hit differently for me because it was a return to my alma mater. Being back at VSU, where my own journey began, brought a special sense of pride. I was surrounded by people who have walked similar paths, whether they were there with me years ago or came after me. It was a full-circle moment, paying homage to the institution that gave me so much and allowed me to be part of the greater HBCU legacy.
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“There’s truly no place like home, especially at an HBCU homecoming,” Thurman continued. “It’s a celebration of the unique bond that exists among HBCU alumni, students, and faculty—a bond that continues to grow stronger each year.”
On the official day of homecoming, the morning kicked off with a parade in downtown Petersburg, Virginia, just a few miles shy of VSU’s campus, followed by the afternoon kickoff of the matchup between the VSU Trojans football team and the Bowie State University Bulldogs. With perfect weather intact, this was a homecoming for the books as VSU also celebrated 100 years of the event..
In addition to Thurman’s activation at his home school, Greenwood Whiskey’s Kwellin “KG” Gordon also took a trek to VSU to tap into the celebrations with a commemorative bottle designed specifically with HBCU homecoming season in mind.
The brand released a celebratory bottle of their award-winning flagship whiskey featuring artwork from Atlanta-based visual artist Sway Jones.
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“We understand the cultural significance of homecoming for HBCU grads so it made perfect sense for us to create the first-of-its-kind HBCU celebratory whiskey label, said Kweillin “KG” Gordon, co-founder and CEO of Greenwood Whiskey. “This label represents community and an unforgettable shared experience. We look forward to this label being the new staple at HBCU homecomings across the country.”
“HBCU homecoming holds a special place in the hearts of all alumni,” added co-founder and Hampton alum James Roach. “It’s a safe space where we can unapologetically bring our full black selves and celebrate black culture and excellence. We decided to do the homecoming edition because we felt there was no better way to celebrate this special time of year than to create a first of its kind homecoming whiskey label.”
With homecoming season underway, aspireTV has you covered with the official schedule and lineup from the events taking place at HBCUs nationwide.
Check off the full remaining HBCU homecoming schedule below.
October 2024:
Howard University: October 13 – 19, 2024
North Carolina A&T State University: October 13 – 19, 2024
Clark Atlanta University: October 13 – 19, 2024
Grambling State University: October 13 – 19, 2024
Johnson C. Smith University: October 13 – 19, 2024
Bowie State University: October 13 – 19, 2024
North Carolina Central University : October 20 – 26, 2024
South Carolina State University: October 20 – 26, 2024
Hampton University: October 20 – 27, 2024
Norfolk State University: October 20 – 26, 2024
Morehouse College: October 20 – 26, 2024
Florida A&M University: October 27 – November 2, 2024
Jackson State University: October 27 – November 2, 2024
Allen University: October 27 – November 2, 2024
Virginia Union University: October 27 – November 2, 2024
November 2024
Tuskegee University: November 3 – 9, 2024
Winston-Salem State University: November 3 – 9, 2024
Edward Waters University: November 3 – 9, 2024
Tune in to AspireU: HBCU Spirit Week only on aspireTV, starting Monday October 21st. Enjoy your favorite shows and interact on social media with fan favorite challenges, such as the HBCU Homecoming Bracket.
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