Homecoming season at HBCUs brings a unique blend of joy, nostalgia, and pride. It’s the time when we return to the campuses that shaped us, reconnect with old friends, and recharge our connection to the schools that gave us so much. Last weekend, Bowie State University celebrated its Homecoming. Though I couldn’t make it up from Florida, I felt the energy from all the way down here. With Trina Braxton making an appearance at Bowie, the excitement was hard to ignore. I missed walking around campus, giving big hugs, cheering on my undergrad sorors at the step show, and spending time with friends I haven’t seen in years.
My first homecoming at Bowie State feels like it happened just yesterday. I was a freshman working for the campus newspaper, and I jumped at the chance to cover the concert and step show. What I didn’t realize was that I’d be stuck in the press box, waiting for the artists to stop by. Raheem DeVaughn wasn’t even performing that night, but he came through and ended up being my first-ever published interview with an artist.
Instead of joining the festivities this year, I spent the weekend binging All American: Homecoming, which recently began streaming its final season on Netflix. Not once, but twice. I’m so sad the show is over. It captured so much of what makes HBCUs feel like home—the sense of community, the friendships, and the “villages” we build for ourselves on campus. Losing that kind of representation on television feels like a huge loss. The show also did an amazing job raising awareness about breast cancer in young women, which is so necessary. Can we talk about Keisha’s dance final? The choreography by Keisha and Cam moved me to tears both times I watched it. They put their hearts into that routine, and it showed.
Nate’s character resonated with me in a special way. Her journey felt personal, and the lessons she learned mirrored ones I had to learn myself at that age. I also appreciated how the show handled Keisha and JR’s storyline. Watching them figure out that not every deep connection needs to turn romantic felt real. It’s a common mistake, and I was glad to see the show didn’t force them into a predictable “friends-to-lovers” trope. Though, in the end, JR still wanted more.
What frustrates me most about All American: Homecoming ending is what it means for the portrayal of HBCUs on television. We need more shows that showcase the richness of these experiences. The show touched on Black Greek Letter Organizations (BGLOs) and did a good job highlighting the consequences of hazing allegations. However, I would love to see a more well-rounded portrayal of Greek life. We got a glimpse of neophyte life through Lando and Eva, but BGLOs offer so much more than just intake and stepping. My dream is to see a Greek 2.0, a reboot of the Freeform (formerly ABC Family) show that aired while I was in college, but focused on Black Greek life. BGLOs are built on sisterhood, brotherhood, leadership, and lifelong bonds—there’s so much material to work with.
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We also rarely see other key aspects of HBCU life in scripted media, like the process of running for a campus queen or king title. More than a popularity contest, it’s a year-long leadership journey that includes service projects and intense competition. The process shapes who you are and how you’re seen by your peers. This, along with student government elections at HBCUs, could make for incredible storylines.
If there’s one thing I’d love to see in a future show about HBCUs, it’s the stories that don’t get enough attention—like New Student Orientation (NSO) or residence life. I spent time as both an NSO leader and a residence life desk assistant, and the stories are endless. We made new friends, pulled all-nighters, and had countless spontaneous adventures. Some of my college friends, like Brian (whom I still call “Partner”), came from those NSO days. There were plenty of late-night stories, parties, and moments that would make anyone laugh.
There’s also a depth to these relationships that doesn’t get shown enough. The way we support and lift each other up, especially in those early college days, deserves more focus. I think All American: Homecoming gave us a taste of it, but I hope future HBCU-centered shows dig deeper into those dynamics.
I’ll miss the Bringston vortex and the characters who became like family, but I’m hopeful that more stories like this are on the horizon—stories that celebrate the richness, complexity, and beauty of HBCU life.
Cover photo: From the Editor: Homecoming Season & the End of All American: Homecoming / Credit: The CW
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