Did you know that it’s Wilmington’s 8th Annual HBCU Week and College Fair this week? Mayor Mike Purzycki and Wilmington’s HBCU Ambassador, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith have announced that Wilmington’s Historically Black COlleges and Universities (HBCU) Week will be help Sunday September 22 through Sunday September 29th.
25 HBCU’s and 10 corporations are coming together this week to help students engage with college recruiter and corporate partners one-on-one to answer any questions they may have and discuss admission, scholarships, and internships. A $10,000 Mike Purzycki Changemaker Scholarship will also be awarded to a student that lives in WIlmington and has committed to an HBCU. Want to apply? Applications will open on September 27. Click here to learn more.
History of HBCU Week
Beginning in 2017, Ashley Christopher kicked off HBCU Week with Mayor Purzycki to encourage young students to strive for a new level of educational success. Since the first HBCU Week, they have continued to celebrate it every year granting over 8,000 admission opportunities to local students and awarding more then $87 million in scholarships.
2024 HBCU Week Schedule
Sunday, September 22nd
- Prayer Brunch featuring Rev. Dawn S. Christopher
- Location: The Queen, 500 North Market Street
- Time: 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. (Doors open at 12 p.m.)
Monday, September 23rd
- HBCU Week 5K
- Location: Rockford Park – Lookout Drive
- Time: 5:30 p.m. (Registration begins at 4 p.m.)
Tuesday, September 24th
- Middle School College Tour
- Location: Delaware State University, 1200 North DuPont Highway, Dover
- Time: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Wednesday, September 25th
- “My HBCU Experience” panel discussion
- Location: Mount Pleasant High School, 5201 Washington Street Extension, Wilmington
- Time: TBD
- Pre-concert Happy Hour
- Location: DECO, 111 West 10th Street, Wilmington
- Time: 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
- R & B Concert
- Location: The Queen, 500 North Market Street
- Time: 8 p.m. – 11 p.m. (Doors open at 7 p.m.)
Thursday, September 26th
- “My HBCU Experience” panel discussion
- Location: Middletown High School, 120Silver Lake Road, Middletown
- Time: 9:30 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Friday, September 27th
- HBCU College Fair
- Location: The Chase Fieldhouse, 401 Garasches Lane, Wilmington
- Time: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- This event will feature admissions representatives from more than 25 HBCUs. All scholarships offered from HBCU Week Foundation, including the Mike Purzycki Changemaker scholarship, will go live.
- The Memo screening
- Location: TBD
- Time: TBD
Saturday, September 28th
- HBCU Week Block Party featuring 25 vendors, resource tables, games, giveaways, food trucks, host and DJ
- Location: Downtown Wilmington, 10th Street between Market and Orange streets
- Time: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday, September 29th
- HBCU Battle of the Bands, featuring Delaware State University, Lincoln University (PA), MS University, Virginia State University
- Location: Frawley Stadium, 801 Shipyard Drive, Wilmington
- Time: 2 p.m. – 5 p.m. (Gates open at 12:30 p.m.)
