A Celebration of Black Excellence: HBCU PICNIC

By Sylvester “Nunnie” Robinson

The HBCU picnic began in 2015 when ten HBCUs joined forces to serve as a platform for networking, mentorship, and promoting educational opportunities within the HBCU community.

The most recent cookout, number seven, was held at Florida Memorial University in Miami, attracting a diverse range of attendees, including HBCU alumni, current  students, prospective students, and their families. The event’s  primary aim was to foster a sense of community and pride among HBCU supporters in  South Florida. During the event, participants enjoyed various activities and entertainment options. There was live music, games, and other family-friendly attractions, ensuring  a fun-filled day for everyone. The committee also asked people to bring books to donate to the Children’s Trust.

  Overall, the South Floirda Black College Experience and the HBCU Picnic are dedicated to bringing together the HBCU family, empowering institutions, and fostering a strong sense of community among HBCU supporters in South Florida. Having been apart of the inaugural HBCU picnic/cookout (more about name-semantics later) as a member of SFTAC – South Florida Tuskegee Alumni Club comprised of graduates from Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade – I have personally observed the amazing, dramatic growth of this communal, celebration of excellence under the astute and dedicated leadership of young visionaries, Attorney Josh Jones and the originator/founder of the Academic Hustle Matthew Pigatt.

Since I didn’t attend last year’s event, the first I believe held on the campus of Florida Memorial University, one can only imagine my initial reaction as the spectacular unfolded, first as my wife Sonia and I turned south onto 42nd Avenue, only to be confronted by a line of cars awaiting entrance into the parking area. Somewhat impatient, we followed others who decided to park in available spaces on west side of street. With Sonia’s consent and lawn chairs in hand, we walked less than a mile to entrance where a young lady helped us with registration, a necessity to enter the campus. Once we entered we were confronted with an atmosphere that could only be described as festive, exuberant and exhilarating. Indeed Black Excellence was in full display with tents representing myriad HBCUs from every area of the country: Alcorn State (Ms), Livingstone (NC), Alabama State (Al), Hampton (VA), Fisk (Tenn), Bethune-Cookman, Florida A&M and host Florida Memorial (Fl).

The smell of ribs, hamburgers, hotdogs, chicken and various and sundry dishes permeated and filled the air with smoke that could only emanate from HBCU attendees representing their schools. The FMU marching band performed, adding to the festivities along with drum majors strutting their stuff. We meandered around the grounds, gazing at tents representing several Pan Hellenic organizations in full display. Included in those displays was the FAMU Medical Marijuana Education and Research Initiative emphasizing its four tenets: Education, Research, Community Engagement and Communications.

FMU’s presidential tent made us question momentarily if we were inside or out with its silver chafing dishes, plush white sofas, assorted beverages and accompanying music. It appeared that each school was attempting to out do the other, and they succeeded magnificently. FMU had an additional tent next to Tuskegee which had so many alums in attendance (graduates from the sixties to twenty-three) that one tent couldn’t suffice. It took three and what an incredible display it was, thanks to our quintessential leader, president Oscar Braynon and his cookout committee members chaired by Carol Lawrence . Tuskegee took a back seat to none. One Tuskegee ‘23 accounting graduate could only smile when I mentioned the year I graduated – ‘69.

I saw a young man dressed in Alcorn garb, introduced myself as hailing from Brookhaven. Thinking that he was a native Mississippian, imagine my surprise when he informed me that he was actually from Pittsburgh, Pa. As we parted ways, I thought of the appeal that HBCUS must have for students from many areas of the nation. One of the highlights of the event was the organizers giving each school a chance to approach the area near stage, allowing a representative to promote, brag about and highlight their institutions and take a photo. I distinctly remember the Alcorn rep shouting, as he approached the stage, to all in earshot that the school’s name is pronounced (All corn, not Al corn as so often happens).The friendly competition and school spirit was evident between Howard and Hampton over which school was the real HU, and the FAMU/BCU rivalry isn’t just in football. The excitement, pride and appeal of all the HBCUS was visibly palpable as I absorbed every exhilarating moment. When Sonia and I reluctantly left, I had to give the Livingstone contingent a shout out because that’s where my dear friend and frat brother Sam Clear graduated from. He is a proud alum who goes to homecoming annually and is a member of the Blue Bears’ alumni association.

This event has seen exponential growth in every aspect, appears to have unlimited growth potential and may eventually require an even larger venue.

Thank you Founders, organizers, sponsors, and participating HBCUS for creating and promoting this magnificent celebration of Black excellence.

Please allow for a brief, personal commentary. Considering the gun violence and mass shootings so prevalent in our society and more specifically in our neighborhoods, it was necessary, appropriate and reassuring from a safety standpoint to register online and require a ticket for admission and to have the appropriate armed and visible security. If the lengthy time gaining entrance and parking for late arrivals is an issue, patience, preparation and love will ameliorate those concerns.

Lastly, I would dearly and sincerely like for the leadership team to consider changing the name of event from picnic ( consider the historical implications and significance) to cookout.

Thanks for an awesome event and your thoughtful consideration.

Participating host schools in alphabetical order: Alabama State, Alcorn State, Bethune-Cookman, Florida A&M, Florida Memorial, Grambling State, Hampton, Howard, Jackson State, Livingstone, Tennessee State and Tuskegee Universities.

Partner HBCUS:

Albany State, Clark Atlanta, Fisk, Morehouse, Morris Brown, North Carolina Central, North Carolina A&T, Spellman, Savannah State, Texas Southern, Maryland Eastern Shore, Morgan State, and Norfolk State.

We – HBCU grads – obviously like the Gold Coast of South Florida. Already anticipating next year.