Skip to Main Content

HBCU Festival Presented by TD Bank

Poster for the HBCU Festival Presented by TD Bank

 

Join us at the first-ever HBCU Festival Presented by TD Bank at the Mann on May 20, 2023! This FREE festival will be an all-day community event celebrating Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and their vibrant culture. As an interactive college fair featuring representatives from national and regional HBCUs, the festival will serve to engage and inspire the next generation of students while celebrating the rich and varied performing arts that are integral to HBCU culture.

The festival will include performances by guest artists as well as live HBCU choirs, marching bands, majorettes, and cheer squads. Attendees can also enjoy masterclasses by choral and band directors, panel discussions on college affairs, and more. There will be food trucks and plenty of family-friendly activities such as face painting, balloon making, crafts, and more around the campus for all to enjoy! Patrons in attendance are encouraged to show off their school spirit! Wear your favorite HBCU apparel or sorority and fraternity gear.

As part of our Summer Picnic Series, attendees are welcome to bring in outside food and non-alcoholic beverages.

Due to overwhelming popularity, this event is sold out.
We hope you can join us next time!

This is a free event open to the public. Entry is provided on a first-come, first-served basis. 
Re-entry is permitted throughout the day. Artists, universities, and repertoire are subject to change without notice.

Featuring

College & Career Fair

Join us in our Crescendo Tent at the Top of the Hill from 11AM to 5:30PM for a college fair featuring representatives from various HBCUs, including:

  • Allen University
  • Benedict College  
  • Central State University  
  • Cheyney University
  • Community College of Philadelphia
  • Coppin State University  
  • Delaware State University
  • Fisk University
  • Florida A&M University
  • Grambling State University
  • Harcum College
  • Howard University
  • Jackson State University
  • Johnson C. Smith University  
  • Lincoln University
  • Meharry Medical School
  • Morehouse College
  • Morgan State University
  • Morris Brown College  
  • North Carolina Central University
  • Oakwood University
  • Paine College
  • Stillman College
  • Tuskegee University  
  • Wilberforce University
  • Winston Salem State University

Plus, the career fair will include representatives from the following organizations:

  • Bellwether District
  • Campus Philly
  • Carney Sandoe
  • City of Philadelphia
  • Merck
  • PECO
  • Septa
  • School District of Philadelphia
  • SNIPES
  • TD Bank

Participating universities and organizations are subject to change.

Performing Schools

  • Aeolians of Oakwood University

  • Cheyney University Blue Majorettes

  • Howard Gospel Choir

  • North Carolina A&T Cold Steel Drummers

  • Powerhouse of Red and White of Winston Salem State University

  • Xclusive Percussion

Featuring performances by the Jeremy Winston Chorale International and many more.

Participating universities are subject to change.

Masterclasses

Jeremy Winston, Choral Director
Jeremy Winston is an innovative leader that helps individuals share their passions and talents with the global community. He is the founder of The Jeremy Winston Chorale, LLC and Assistant Professor of Music and Chorus Director at Central State University (CSU) in Ohio. He is a visionary with emphasis in orchestral and choral composing, choral directing, orchestral conducting, collegiate education, classical singing, and leadership training.

Xclusive Percussion, Drumline
Xclusive Percussion is a drumline entertainment company located in Atlanta, GA. With over 15+ years of entertaining experience, Xclusive Percussion brings the Historically Black College & University (HBCU) Drumline experience to events all over the nation. They have worked with some of the nation’s top brands to create amazing experiences that engage and captivate audiences of all age groups with high energy dance moves and impressive drumming skills. 

More masterclasses to be announced.

Guest Artists

Pretty Vee
Pretty Vee is a Jamaican-American comedian, host, actress, brand ambassador, and internet personality, and social media influencer. Her career began in college at St. Augustine University where she launched her own radio show on WAUG Power 750 AM “Lounge 22”. From there she worked at The People’s Station in Georgia, 107.9 in North Carolina, and The VXL Show on TheNetStation.com. From there, Pretty Vee became a regular cast member on Nick Cannon’s Wild ‘n Out and successfully ventured into the music industry, partnering with artists like Chance the Rapper, Queen Naija, and Lil Kim.

Terrence J
Terrence J is a well-established actor, host, producer, author, and philanthropist. The three-time Emmy nominee is best-known for being a host on BET’s 106 & Park and E! News, as well as several other television programs. Outside of his acting and hosting career, Terrence J is a strong advocate for HBCUs. In 2015, Terrence J donated $100,000 to his almamater, and in 2019, he became the National Ambassador for the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF). Born in Queens, New York, Terrence J spent his childhood years in Rocky Mount, North Carolina and received a Bachelor of Science in Broadcast Journalism from North Carolina A&T State University. He is also a proud member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

Jae Murphy
Jae Murphy is an international tour/nightclub DJ, executive music producer, songwriter, and actor. A graduate of Howard University in Washington, D.C, Murphy now lives in Los Angeles, where he collaborates with artists such as Jason Derulo, Eric Bellinger, The Game, and French Montana. He has spent the last five years traveling across six continents, making musical appearances at Wembley Stadium, Good Morning America, Jimmy Kimmel Live, 2017 NFL Thanksgiving Day Halftime Show, and more. Jae Murphy continues to use music to entertain a diverse audience and deliver a timeless and universal sound. 

Schedule of Events

11AM
Gates Open

11AM - 5:30PM
College & Career Fair
Food Truck Village
Family Fun Area
Vendor Village
TOP OF THE HILL

11:30AM - 5PM
Various Performances
Step Teams · Drum Lines · Choirs & more!
TD PAVILION

1PM - 2PM
Drumline Masterclass with Xclusive Percussion
TD PAVILION

6PM - 7PM
Finale Performances
HBCU Spectacular · Pretty Vee · Terrence J & more!
TD PAVILION

7PM
Festival Ends

Thank you to our HBCU Festival Partners!


The Mann is grateful for TD Bank's support of our venue and our many community engagement efforts, including the annual Voices of Hope celebration honoring local community leaders, and now the highly anticipated HBCU Festival. To learn more about TD's involvement, click here.

Video URL