HBCU Kwanzaa Celebration

Why These Institutions Remain Unforgettable

There are moments when community, culture, and purpose align so naturally that the experience feels both intentional and affirming. On Sunday, December 28, 2025, the HBCU Kwanzaa Celebration at the New Rochelle Public Library was one of those moments. Despite a brisk yet sunny winter afternoon, with temperatures hovering around 30 degrees, nearly 40 attendees, including high school students, parents, alumni, and community supporters, gathered for an experience rooted in legacy, learning, and collective responsibility.

Hosted by JAMAA Headquarters Inc., in collaboration with Next Level Development, the event reflected a shared commitment to youth empowerment, cultural awareness, and community-centered education. From the outset, it was clear this was more than a program. It was an offering to the community.

Even while on a brief holiday pause, I was reminded that this work does not stop. Taking the short drive from Harlem to New Rochelle was less about distance and more about commitment. Moments like this reaffirm that HBCU education and advocacy are not bound by geography; they show up wherever community is willing to gather.

A Moment Before the Program Even Began
Before the formal program started, during the meet-and-greet, I had the opportunity to meet a high school senior and her parents. She shared exciting news: she had recently been accepted to Bethune-Cookman University, her first choice, with Florida A&M University close behind.

I joked that “I suppose someone must be second,” but truly, it was all HBCU love. That brief exchange captured the heart of the day before the first speaker even took the stage. Legacy and possibility were already in the room.

Opening the Circle
Joe Andrews officially opened the program, welcoming the audience with warmth and grounding the gathering in intention. His remarks invited everyone into the space not as spectators, but as contributors to a shared experience. This event is a new addition to JAMAA’s existing programming and serves as a meaningful complement to their annual HBCU College Fair. Joe shared his excitement about growing this celebration in the years ahead.

Eden Barnett, a May 2025 pre-med graduate of Howard University and a proud alumnus of New Rochelle High School, followed with reflections on his transition from high school to college. He spoke candidly about confidence, independence, and identity development, offering students and families a living example of what the HBCU journey can look like when preparation, support, and opportunity align.

Joe’s business partner, Iman Sabree, then framed the day through the Kwanzaa principle of Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility), naming what many already felt. This celebration existed because community showed up with intention.

The presence of community partners further underscored the spirit of the day. Aisha Cook, President of the New Rochelle NAACP, along with members of the organization, were actively engaged in supporting the event and ensuring that several local youth were able to attend. Their involvement reflected a shared commitment to exposure, access, and advocacy, reinforcing that meaningful college readiness work happens best when schools, families, and community organizations move together.

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The Heart of the Program:
​The 15 Things That Make HBCUs Unforgettable
I then led the central conversation, “The 15 Things That Make HBCUs Unforgettable.” This was not presented as a checklist, but as a shared framework.

As we moved through the fifteen points, one truth consistently surfaced: no matter which HBCU we attended, and regardless of the generation we represent, there is a common bond that connects us. These were not isolated experiences; they were shared ones.

The presentation flowed intentionally, mirroring the rhythm of the HBCU experience itself. We began with history, grounding the audience in the federal definition of HBCUs under Title III of the Higher Education Act of 1965. From there, we moved into several of the “15 Things,” paused for HBCU facts and trivia that both educated and entertained, returned to the points, and continued that pattern throughout.

Several themes resonated deeply in the room. Alumni reflected on the impact of smaller class settings and close relationships with professors, advisors, and mentors, moments where students are truly seen and supported. Others spoke about lifelong friendships, campus traditions, and the enduring sense of HBCU love that continues well beyond graduation. These reflections reminded everyone present that while campuses may differ, the experience carries a familiar rhythm.

Alumni were invited to the stage, transforming the session into a true conversation. Their insights were not supplemental; they were essential.

Among those contributing were Tamika A. Coverdale of the Howard University Alumni Club of Westchester and Rockland; Eden Barnett, offering both student and alumni perspective; Tantaniqua Potts, a graduate of Johnson C. Smith University; and Cheryl Murphy of Morgan State University. Their short stories and testimonies brought depth, humor, and authenticity to every point.

As the conversation progressed, we turned to the history and impact of the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), discussing its role in scholarship access, alumni support, and educational equity. During this portion of the program, a Tuskegee alum in the audience added a powerful local connection, sharing that Dr. Frederick D. Patterson, former president of Tuskegee Institute and one of the founders of UNCF, had retired in New Rochelle. That moment reminded us that legacy often lives closer than we think.

To close the instructional arc, I shared the Common Black College Application (CBCA) as a practical next step for students and families continuing their HBCU journey. The message was simple and clear: inspiration must be paired with access and action.

Although we did not play the game live, we also discussed the HBCU Trivia Game as a versatile learning tool for classrooms, alumni meetings, and community events. Several attendees purchased copies to take that experience back into their own spaces.

Wisdom, Tradition, and Community
Professor James Small, a retired professor from the City University of New York, and a respected scholar, activist, and speaker, followed with reflections rooted in scholarship and lived experience. Drawing from his time at Savannah State University, he encouraged scholars to do their research and challenged parents to remain actively engaged in the college process, reinforcing that this journey is communal.

The program closed with Iman Sabree leading a full Kwanzaa celebration, including the lighting of the candles, acknowledgement of the ancestors, reflections on the meaning and purpose of the holiday, and a collective Habari Gani.

And what is a Kwanzaa celebration without an amazing meal? Fellowship and food followed, thanks in part to Rachel Cornelius, a retired school administrator from New Rochelle High School and a member of the planning committee.

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A Responsibility Carried Forward
As I reflected on the day, I returned to the words of Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, founder of Bethune-Cookman University and co-founder of UNCF:

“I leave you finally a responsibility to our young people.”
“The world around us really belongs to youth, for youth will take over its future management.”

That responsibility was visible throughout the HBCU Kwanzaa Celebration. Ujima was not just named; it was lived. Community leaned in. Knowledge was shared. Young people were centered.

That is the enduring power of HBCUs, and of gatherings like this one.

They are, indeed, unforgettable.

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About the Hosts
JAMAA Headquarters Inc.
JAMAA Headquarters Inc. is a New Rochelle–based community organization committed to empowering youth and families through culturally grounded programming, mentorship, education, and community engagement. Their work creates spaces where young people can connect to opportunity, identity, and purpose.

Next Level Development
Next Level Development supports community-centered initiatives that elevate youth development, leadership, and cultural awareness through partnerships and programming.

Together, JAMAA Headquarters Inc. and Next Level Development created an experience that reflected the spirit of Kwanzaa and the promise of HBCU pathways for young people and families.