April 1, 2026
Brooklyn Nets Host ‘HBCU Homecoming’ At Barclays Center
HBCU culture was celebrated in Brooklyn.
The Barclays Center, during the March 31 Brooklyn Nets game against the Charlotte Hornets, also hosted “HBCU Homecoming,” presented by Pepsi Bottling Company of New York.
HBCU culture was celebrated at the basketball arena, which 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.
During the game, Jackie Wilson, senior vice president of social impact at Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment (BSE), spoke to BLACK ENTERPRISE about the initiative.
“The energy in the arena is contagious. It feels like we brought the yard all the way to Barclays Center,” he said.
“We pride ourselves on being able to provide access to opportunities — especially educational opportunities. HBCUs provide a different type of education than traditional universities. And because there are not many in the New York area, we are happy to be able to use our platform to bring HBCUs from around the country to…celebrate here with local alumni and prospective students who may be interested in exploring HBCUs in the future.”
The HBCU Homecoming was part of BSE’s larger Nets Unite program, which features various themed events recognizing different community groups, including Pride Night, Chinese New Year, and Hoops for Troops.
“Our Nets Unite platform is meant to celebrate the rich culture, diversity, [and] history of Brooklyn. Tonight is just one element of that with HBCUs. We celebrated women’s impact. We celebrated Pride. We celebrated the West Indian community. We celebrated the AAPI community. All of those things [were created] to celebrate what is the most diverse footprint in the United States — Brooklyn, New York,” he said.
In addition to receiving a positive response from Nets fans, Wilson described the HBCU game experience as a full-circle moment for him, personally.
“HBCU culture is near and dear to my heart. I am the product of an HBCU family. Both of my parents attended Prairie View A&M,” he told BE. “That upbringing has colored and shaped the way that I’ve dreamed.”
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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