3rd Annual HBCU Greek Life Informational Celebration

By Jennifer L. Warren

NEWBURGH – It was a full sensory, information-laden, spiritually uplifting experience, likely to be engraved in its guests’ memory banks for quite some time.

Inside the Newburgh Free Academy North Campus Auditorium Thursday night, the signature, emphatic chants resonated. A high energy venue filled the stage area, where a trio of women sporting symbolic pink and green colors, could be seen symmetrically “strolling” as they formed hand signs, clapped, stomped, chanted and sang, adding a “stepping” component to the contagious mix. The mesmerized crowd was absorbing each fiber of the moment at the Third Annual HBCU Greek Life Informational Celebration.

The largely student-organized venue, which provides Newburgh Enlarged City School District students the unique and critical opportunity to learn all about the specifics of historically black colleges and universities, while strengthening their network and improving college and career options, had taken a short hiatus the last few years; however, it returned with a potent, transformative presence last week. Involving over 10 school and community organizations, it was a comprehensive showcasing of collegiate life.

“When I was your age, this event was not available, and it’s just so important so students can see what is available beyond NFA,” said Phil Howard, an HBCU alumni as well as NECSD Board Member. “Students and parents can learn about fraternities and sororities which can truly mold your college experience, helping in such ways as giving back to the community and making a difference; it fills my heart with joy knowing we are offering events like this, empowering our scholars with the tools to succeed.”

Those “tools” included both virtual and in-person passionate testimonials from current students on why they selected a HBCU path. The rationales were quickly unleashed: wanting to feel supported, being provided with a network to fully thrive, being around people who look like and value similar ideals and learning the priceless lessons of how to be a leader and giving back. The impact of an HBCU selection intensified when 2024 NFA Main Campus graduate, India Peterson, a freshman at Norfolk State University, delivered in-person remarks on her incredible four month tenure at her school.

“It’s really great to learn all about the HBCU history of your school and just being part of the whole experience, especially homecoming-from the concerts, to the comedy shows, to tailgate to the plot party, it’s just an incredible time,” explained Peterson. “NFA prepared me for going to a HBCU by being around diverse people who come from all different backgrounds, which made me feel open to exploring HBCUs as an option and truly embrace my culture more and have real pride in going to my school.” Peterson, looking at the youth in attendance, added, “My advice to anyone considering going to a HBCU is to be open to the experience and really do your research about your school; don’t be afraid to take a leap.”

That HBCU leap initiated Thursday for many students and their parents, who not only got to hear all about the deep history involved in and advantages of attending these well established, 107 types – both public and private schools that serve 228,000 students nationwide and own the “Divine 9” prestige for the assortment of proud, altruistic-minded sororities and fraternities who help define the HBCU experience, but also attend an information-packed “tabling” segment, absorbing details on individual schools via the 40 plus Divine 9 alumnus on hand while earning stamps on personal journey cards for their efforts.

“Hosting reciprocal community youth engagement programs like this are vital for fostering a thriving, interconnected society; these initiatives create opportunities for youth to actively contribute to their communities while benefitting from mentorship, resources and support, said one of those “Greek strong” alumni, 33 year life member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., and a third year member of the event’s planning committee, Sonya Grant, who was at one of those tables enthusiastically interacting with visitors. “The youth were empowered, mutual trust was built, social ties were strengthened and community needs were addressed.”

They were powerful, tangible results of the night echoed by Howard as well.

“Leadership, teamwork, unity, social connections, community service, social activism; these are all things an HBCU as well as the fraternity-sorority experience offers, things that go well beyond the college years and can change your life for the better forever.”