HBCU NIGHT FOR THE CULTURE BY KIMBERLEI DAVIS
In recent weeks we witnessed a hard stop in life as we knew it. We’ve all had to grapple with the unprecedented times. Once labeled a “Democratic hoax,” by the current administration, the coronavirus (COVID-19) reached all 50 states and the District of Columbia quicker than we could blink our eyes. There were mandatory lockdowns and curfews, millions working from home, students e-learning, a rush on toilet tissue and hand sanitizer and devastating falls in the stock market - it left none of us untouched. COVID-19 impacted all facets of daily life, including how businesses must operate. College life, in particular life on an HBCU campus is all about being a part of the social scene. For Andres Martin, founder and executive director of HBCU Night, Incorporated he, like so many other leaders, had to navigate what the next steps were after watching the virus wreck havoc on months of planned events. The 11-city IMPACT Tour had stops still scheduled in Los Angeles, Miami and Houston before Dre and his team knew they had to pull the plug to ensure volunteer and attendees safety. Most were to be held in arenas that were home to NBA teams.
16 | HBCU Times 2020 Summer Issue
In an interview prior to the pandemic, I asked Dre about HBCU Night, Inc; its purpose and plan for the future. HBCU TIMES: You describe HBCU Night as a multifaceted event that celebrates African-American heritage while creating awareness for HBCUs, how successful have the events been in terms of increasing enrollment? DRE MARTIN: Our events have had a major impact on high school students from grades 9-12. Last year in Brooklyn, we were able to reach 50% of the 12th-grade attendees to go on to matriculate at HBCUs. HBCU TIMES: What portion of proceeds from HBCU Night(s) go directly to institutions? DRE MARTIN: Given our affiliation with the HBCU Alumni Alliance chapters nationwide and local partnerships with other Divine 9 and HBCU Alumni chapters, we were able to consult a proceed figure per ticket with each market. Each market has varied from $5-$10 on each ticket purchased for each chapter. This provides an opportunity for chapters to donate to scholarship funds, institutions, etc. HBCU TIMES: You’ve been able to successfully partner with a number of NBA teams/arenas to host these events, how has that relationship helped with your mission?
