by Cedric ‘BIG CED’ Thornton
April 1, 2026
HBCU culture was celebrated in Brooklyn.
The Barclays Center, during the March 31 Brooklyn Nets game against the Charlotte Hornets, also hosted “HBCU Homecoming.”
According to Hot 97, HBCU culture was properly celebrated at the basketball arena. The night featured halftime performances by the Howard University Marching Band, the Nets Beats Drumline, the Brooklynettes (along with Howard University), and a Divine 9 Step Show.
There was also a college fair next door at the Brooklyn Basketball Training Center, where more than 700 local high school students and educators congregated. At the venue, aspiring college students talked with representatives from several schools’ admissions teams.
Jackie Wilson, senior vice president of social impact, spoke to the media outlet about the program, Nets Unite, which features various themed events for the community, including HBCU Homecoming, Pride Night, Chinese New Year, and Hoops for Troops.
“The Nets Unite platform is a reflection of who we are as an organization and what we stand for in Brooklyn,” Wilson explained to Hot 97. “It’s about creating moments that go beyond the game and bringing basketball, culture, music, and community together in a way that feels authentic to this borough.”
Wilson said that the response to the initiative has been positive.
Meanwhile, “…HBCU Homecoming continues to be one of our most impactful and anticipated nights,” Wilson said. “What stands out is that fans aren’t just coming for a game, they’re showing up for a full experience. There’s a different level of energy in the building when people feel personally connected to what’s happening on the court and beyond it.”
Although the event was an unquestioned success, the game was not. The Nets (18-58) were blown out, 117–86, by the Hornets (40-36).
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