23 Apr Beyoncé Celebrates Black Culture, Colleges at Coachella

Posted at 01:23h in Arts and Culture by

RP Staff Report

When Beyoncé hit the stage at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, her two show-stopping performances brought lots of excitement to the historically black college and university (HBCU) culture.

As the first African American woman to headline the Coachella Festival, this was probably the blackest set that Beyoncé has put on. YouTube’s live stream of the first performance drew an estimated 41 million views.

 

HBCU Homecoming

It’s true her performance had all the feelings of a HBCU homecoming. From the black greek life spirit to a 200-person marching band and majorettes, “Beychella” — as fans on social media renamed the popular festival — had it all.

 

Black National Anthem

Beyoncé really did belt out the black national anthem “Lift Every Voice and Sing” at Coachella. Written by James Weldon Johnson originally as a poem in 1899, today the song remains as one of the most cherished songs and a rallying cry for African Americans.

 

College Scholarships

Besides showcasing the HBCU culture, Beyoncé announced the Homecoming Scholars Award Program for historically black colleges. Through her BeyGOOD initiative, she’ll donate $25,000 to one student from four HBCUs: Wilberforce University in Ohio, Alabama’s Tuskegee University, Xavier University of Louisiana, and Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach, Fla.

HBCU alums and college presidents took to social media hoping the exposure to the would entice a new generation of high school students to considering applying.

While HBCUs have been around since the 1800s, most people got the first glimpse of black college life during the hit NBC show “A Different World,” which was set at the fictional Hillman College. The show, which debuted in the late ‘80s, was responsible for a huge jump in enrollment at HBCUs.

Even if you didn’t think sorority life is your thing, you may consider joining Beyoncé’s sorority. Donning the Greek letters Beta and Kappa on her black and gold sweatshirt during her first performance, Beyoncé had many believing she was paying homage the Alpha Phi Alpha, the country’s first Black fraternity.

 We all watched for the step show: the rhythmic stomping and clapping. Yes, we saw the Alpha stomps and the high kicks that belong to the men of Omega Psi Phi fraternity. And since Beyoncé doesn’t like to disappoint her fans, there’s a Beychella pop-up shop where you can grab the Greek paraphernalia along with other merchandise. Clothing ranges from T-shirts for $40 to windbreakers for $115.

Destiny’s Child Reunion

Who knew that Coachella would mean a Destiny’s Child reunion? Their performance left us all “Jumpin Jumpin” (released in 1999). I know you’re still singing their hits “Soldier” and “Say My Name.” Don’t you think it’s time for a Destiny’s Child reunion tour?

 Catch the Replay

If you’ve been living under a rock for the last two weekends and have no idea what Beychella is, you can watch her performance on Youtube. (This is also for the many fans who have already watched her performance 10 times and just can’t get enough.)

 

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