Boston witnessed a historic cultural moment as the first-ever ESSENCE HBCU Classic brought the traditions and pageantry of Historically Black Colleges and Universities to Harvard Stadium. The four-day celebration, which concluded with Johnson C. Smith University’s decisive 45-9 victory over Morehouse College on Saturday, August 30, marked the first time the city had hosted an event of this scale centered on HBCU culture.
A Dominant Performance on the Field
Johnson C. Smith’s Golden Bulls controlled the game from the opening drive, forcing four interceptions while building a commanding lead that effectively ended competitive play by halftime. The Golden Bulls’ defense set the tone early, intercepting a Morehouse pass to set up their first touchdown in the game’s opening minutes.
Transfer quarterback Kelvin Durham, formerly of Fort Valley State, delivered an impressive debut performance with 270 passing yards on 15-of-19 attempts and three touchdown passes. Redshirt freshman Brian Lane emerged as his top target, hauling in six catches for 163 yards and a score.
The Golden Bulls struck quickly in the first quarter, scoring twice in the opening six minutes to establish a 13-0 advantage. By halftime, they had extended their lead to 26-3, with only a 23-yard Morehouse field goal preventing a shutout in the first half.
Morehouse showed brief signs of life in the third quarter when quarterback Miles Scott connected with Kamrin Brunson on a 71-yard touchdown pass. The Maroon Tigers even recovered an onside kick on the ensuing kickoff, creating momentum for a potential comeback. However, their drive stalled in Johnson C. Smith territory, and subsequent opportunities were thwarted by the Golden Bulls’ opportunistic defense.
Cultural Celebration Beyond the Game
While the football matchup provided the weekend’s centerpiece, the ESSENCE HBCU Classic encompassed far more than athletic competition. The event began Thursday with the OpportuniTEE Golf Classic in partnership with the PGA, featuring networking opportunities alongside competitive play. Friday’s WorthWealthCon focused on business development and entrepreneurship, followed by a spirited City Hall Pep Rally that filled downtown Boston with music and HBCU pride.
Saturday’s Fan Fest created a vibrant marketplace showcasing Black-owned businesses from across the country, while live music and traditional HBCU foods created an authentic gameday atmosphere. The celebration concluded Sunday with GospelFest and an evening at a Red Sox game, blending the weekend’s cultural themes with Boston’s sporting traditions.
Historic Significance and Symbolism
The choice of Harvard Stadium as the venue carried particular symbolic weight. HBCUs emerged in the 19th century when Black students faced systematic exclusion from most American higher education institutions. These schools became more than educational centers—they served as cultural sanctuaries that produced civil rights leaders, artists, scientists, and educators who shaped American progress.
Hosting HBCU traditions at one of the Ivy League’s most storied venues represented a powerful statement about the place of Black culture in American academia. Boston’s complex relationship with Black culture—featuring rich abolitionist history alongside limited mainstream cultural visibility—made the city’s embrace of this celebration particularly meaningful.
Building Bridges and Community
Michele Ghee, Chief Content Officer of ESSENCE, emphasized the event’s broader mission: “This is our opportunity to showcase the pride, the culture, and the traditions that have shaped generations of HBCU graduates while inspiring new connections between our community and this historic city.”
The weekend successfully connected Boston’s local Black community with thousands of visitors from across the country. Alumni mixers, cultural conversations on leadership and entrepreneurship, and guided tours of Boston’s Black history sites created opportunities for meaningful engagement beyond the athletic competition.
Looking Forward
The inaugural ESSENCE HBCU Classic’s success establishes a new model for celebrating HBCU culture in non-traditional settings. By bringing marching bands, step shows, and time-honored traditions to Harvard Stadium, the event demonstrated that Black academic and cultural excellence belongs on any stage.
For Johnson C. Smith, the dominant victory provides momentum as they return home to face Valdosta State next weekend. Morehouse will travel to East Rutherford, New Jersey, for the HBCUNY Classic against Howard University, seeking to rebound from this disappointing opener.
The weekend proved that HBCU traditions can thrive anywhere, from their historic campuses in the South to the hallowed grounds of Harvard Stadium, creating connections that extend far beyond any single game or score.
