Rochester will again be the site of a multi-day celebration of Historically Black Colleges and Universities this fall, when the third-annual Baldwin Richardson Foods Frederick Douglass HBCU Classic Weekend of Hope runs across the end of September and the first days of October.
More than a game
The weekend — billed by organizers as a mix of college outreach, cultural programming and a football showdown — concludes Saturday, Oct. 3, at the Rochester Community Sports Complex. Kickoff for the HBCU Classic game is scheduled for 1 p.m., when Lincoln University will face Virginia State University.
Event organizers emphasize the weekend’s educational mission as much as its entertainment value. Activities scheduled for the days before the game are aimed squarely at Rochester-area students from middle school through high school.
“We’re really hoping it becomes a lifestyle for the city youth of Rochester, that they understand that they have options, that they don’t just have to go out and be in the streets hanging out, that there is something for them after they graduate from high school. And HBCUs can be a great option,” said Mone Barkley from the HBCU Classic committee.
Who should attend
Organizers encourage Rochester high school juniors and seniors to attend the HBCU College Expo at Blue Cross Arena on Wednesday, Sept. 30, where representatives from dozens of historically Black colleges and universities will be available to discuss admissions, scholarships and campus life. The week also introduces younger students to HBCU culture through a new event: the HBCU Experience.
- HBCU College Expo — Blue Cross Arena, Wednesday, Sept. 30.
- HBCU Experience — Thursday, Oct. 1, geared toward students in grades 7–10.
- HBCU Day — Friday, Oct. 2, encouraged wear of HBCU gear and social sharing.
- Game day — Saturday, Oct. 3, Rochester Community Sports Complex; kickoff 1 p.m.; tickets from $25.
Programming and access
The HBCU Experience is new this year and will showcase music, dance and other cultural touchpoints intended to introduce younger students to the social and academic life those institutions promote. Organizers say the college expo will field representatives from “dozens” of HBCUs, giving Rochester-area high school students a centralized opportunity to meet admissions officers and gather information.
Tickets for the Oct. 3 game start at $25. According to organizers, purchase of a ticket includes access to the tailgate, the football game and the Battle of the Bands that follows the game. The Battle of the Bands is a longstanding HBCU tradition and a draw for families and former students.
| Date | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Sept. 30 | HBCU College Expo | Blue Cross Arena |
| Oct. 1 | HBCU Experience | Location TBA (organizers) |
| Oct. 2 | HBCU Day (wear HBCU gear) | Citywide / social media |
| Oct. 3 | HBCU Classic game + Battle of the Bands | Rochester Community Sports Complex |
Local impact and context
For Rochester families and educators, the HBCU Classic represents a direct outreach effort into communities where college access and exposure to post‑secondary options remain priorities. The event builds on previous years’ efforts to expand awareness of historically Black colleges and universities as viable academic and social choices for local students. Organizers say they want the program to influence where students look for opportunities after high school, not just provide a single weekend of programming.
Beyond recruitment and cultural celebration, the weekend is positioned as a community touchpoint. The mix of a college expo, programming for younger students, a citywide HBCU Day and a public sporting event aims to attract families, school counselors and alumni, and to sustain attention on college pathways throughout the school year.
Organizers previously framed the event as an opportunity to connect students with alternatives to street life and to make college options tangible. Whether the third iteration of the HBCU Classic expands that reach will be measured in turnout at the expo, participation in the HBCU Experience and engagement around HBCU Day activities.
For tickets and more information, organizers direct the public to the HBCU Classic’s online resources.
