From paying homage to the historic marching bands and dancers at the nation’s historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) to demonstrating the resiliency, beauty and sacrifice embedded in the Black experience, Beyoncé’s newly released documentary Homecoming is a testament to the vivacity of Black culture that is celebrated at HBCUs.
Following Homecoming’s release – nearly a year after Beyoncé became the first Black women to headline the predominantly White Coachella festival – social media was abuzz with individuals recalling their HBCU experience, sharing their Black pride and reacting in total awe to the megastar’s bold and intentional two-hour performance. To scholars and leaders across higher education, Homecoming is a reminder of the relevance and significance of HBCUs in preparing their students to thrive in the real world all while embracing their cultural heritage.
“For Black audiences, particularly for Black youth, it’s a reminder of the legacy of these institutions and that particularly in this moment – this kind of Trump’s America – that these are still vibrant institutions that still have a mission to educate Black folks,” said Dr. Mark Anthony Neal, chair of the Department of African & African American Studies and the founding director of the Center for Arts, Digital Culture and Entrepreneurship at Duke University. “It’s a great celebration of HBCUs, particularly from someone who didn’t have the opportunity to go to an HBCU.”
In a time when HBCUs have not historically been celebrated at this level, Neal added that the way Beyoncé celebrated them and Black culture throughout her Coachella performance and documentary was important, given she did not have to use her platform to elevate them.
Throughout the documentary, Beyoncé infuses the words and work of Black leaders, thinkers and poets into the narrative that depicts her months-long journey preparing for her April 2018 Coachella performance. She features video clips and wears the paraphernalia of several HBCUs as well.
Beyoncé recalled that had her life trajectory panned out differently, she would have chosen to attend an HBCU. Growing up in Houston, she notes that she was heavily influenced by HBCU life, including Battle of the Bands events at Prairie View A&M University, or figures like the “Dancing Dolls” at Southern University, who were featured in the film.
“Beyoncé didn’t have to shoutout HBCUs the way that she did,” Neal said, adding that the way she also remade Frankie Beverly and Maze’s “Before I Let Go,” is also a shoutout to “this larger legacy of Black music” that came before her. “White folks for the most part, particularly young White folks, have no idea who these artists are.”
