Examples Of Names Of Some Historically Black Colleges And Universities (HBCUs) Queens (1960s-2024)

Edited by Azizi Powell

Latest Update =November 19, 2025: [Change in title to reflect the focus on some names of  HBCU Queens]

This pancocojams post presents excerpts of two online articles that showcase examples of Historically Black Colleges And Universities (HBCUs) Queens from the 1960s to 2024.* 

Although that wasn't the purpose of these articles, I'm highlighting the names of these HBCU Queens to suggests the changes that occurred between the types of first names that these women had in those decades.

Although these articles include some photographs, no photographs are included in this pancocojams post.

The content of this post is presented for onomastic, historical, and cultural purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to all HBCU Queens, past and present and thanks to all those who are featured in this post. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post, and thanks to all those who archived this content. Thanks also to Getty Images for supporting Jackson State University's project of archiving photographs of HBCU Queens. 
-snip-
The first article that is featured in this pancocojams post includes the name of one HBCU Queen from 1951. The other HBCU Queens who are featured in this post are from 1960s to 2024.

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PANCOCOJAMS EDITOR'S NOTE
The names of the HBCU Queens who are featured in both articles of this pancocojams post are given in italics for highlighting purposes only. 

ARTICLE #1-HBCU CAMPUS QUEENS PROJECTS

Pancocojams Editor's Note: Most of the HBCU Queens who are featured in that article are from Jackson State University, Mississippi. (JSU). One HBCU Queen who is named in that article is from North Carolina A&T State University.

A 1951 photograph in that article has the name of a Queen. All of the other names of Queens in that article are from the 1960s - 2024. 

https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/piapeterson/campus-queens-hbcus-photos-getty

These Newly Digitized Photos Show Almost A Century Of Campus Queens And HBCU Life

The tradition of Campus Queens at HBCUs goes back many decades. Now, more of their photos are coming to light.

Pia Peterson, BuzzFeed News Photo Editor, Posted on March 6, 2022
"The tradition of college and university queens spans decades and originates from May Queens, who walk or ride at the front of May Day parades, which itself comes from pagan May Day rituals. Over time, students on historically Black colleges and universities have taken on the role of Campus Queen at their colleges and appeared at many events; the first Campus Queen was named in 1927. “It’s a beautiful and symbolic gesture of love of leadership and beauty, epitomized in womanhood,” Jackson State University archivist Darlita Ballard said.

While many colleges maintain the Campus Queen tradition, JSU has recently been sharing its images through a partnership with Getty. At JSU, the queens are elected by popular vote; traditionally, the queen was crowned ahead of the May Day ceremony. Later, the queen was also elected homecoming queen, football queen, and Miss Jackson State University. “It's an expression of love for our heritage, our values, and our goals,” Ballard said.

Dr. Locord Wilson, the interim dean of libraries at JSU, noted that the women’s style changes in the photos over time. “When they were first crowned, in the early images, some were very casual and some were formal,” Wilson said. “Some of them just wanted to be photographed on a bench or sitting on the ground.  The last few years, everyone has wanted it to be formal.” The Campus Queens served their roles during COVID, though with much less fanfare as the college and student body navigated the coronavirus.

[Pancocojams Editor- In this post the caption under each photograph is given without the photograph.]

Left, Norma Jean Pryor, Miss Tennessee State University, riding on a convertible with Mary Culver, Miss Senior, and Barbara Greer, Miss Sophomore, during halftime on Thanksgiving Day, Nashville, Tennessee, circa 1965. Right, honor student Juanita Tatum gives greetings of welcome during the homecoming celebration held at North Carolina A&T State University, with Walter T Johnson Jr, president of the A&T Student Government, standing by her side, Greensboro, North Carolina, circa 1960.

For JSU, the goal is to share not only the images of the queens but the history of the university and the students through its vast archive. The university’s official photographer, Charles Smith, alone has about 12,000 photos that have been digitized; the school hopes to digitize 50,000 photos overall.

Four HBCUs received grants from Getty Images in 2022 to help digitize their archives, bringing thousands of photos spanning over a hundred years to a new audience. With the archivists’ help, Smith assembled a selection of donated images and photos from the JSU archives, called the Campus Queens Collection.

“We’re reaching people that we wouldn't normally hear from,” Dr. Wilson said. “Someone called me yesterday to tell me that she served as first alternate to Campus Queen and actress Tommy Steward in 1968, and she had a lot of photographs she wanted to donate to the archival collection from when she was a student. “We wanted to bring this to life, not just to Jackson and not just to Mississippi, but to the world.”

Left, Miss JSU Emma Jean Brown 1972-73. Right, Miss JSU Beverly Bowser, 1964.

Miss JSU Vernecia L. Gee, circa 1990.

Jackson State University Campus Queen Miss Alandrea Wallace, 2002-2003.

Left, Miss JSU Jackie Bacchus, 1973-74, and right, Miss JSU Martha Anderson, 1971-72.

Left, Mrs. Brenda Lang Thomas reigned as Miss Jackson State University from 1964-1965. Right, Miss JSU Lynetta Kaye Gaines circa 1985.

Miss JSU Joyce Williams in 1951.

Left, Miss JSU Vivian Hilly circa 1970s

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ARTICLE #2 -  NATIONAL BLACK COLLEGE ALUMNI HALL OF FAME QUEENS
From https://nbcahof.org/queens-past-and-present/ [retrieved November 11, 2025]
"The focus of the Competition of Black College Queens is to provide great opportunities for young women attending our nation’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and help them better prepare for the future, as well as gain self-awareness, self-confidence, individual pride, pride for their institution and a greater social awareness overall. Each of the college queens in the competition represents the leadership and reigning queen of the HBCU they represent. In this series of competitions, our queens demonstrates their unique talents and skill sets, to the point of one finalist and ultimate college queen of the National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame.

Below is a look at our past & present queens through the years: 

1986-1987

Melanie Rainey (deceased)

Chicago State University

 

1987-1988

Shari Love

Prairie View A & M University

 

1988-1989

Guy Spears

Alcorn State University

 

1989-1990

Semora T. Johns

Albany State University

 

1990-1991

Sharron Jenkins

North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University

 

1991-1992

Faedra Chatard

Spelman College

 

1992-1993

Jujuan Williams

Philander Smith College

 

1993-1994

Chelle Luper Wilson

Langston University

 

1994-1995

Christie Bradford

Fayetteville University

 

1995-1996

Trenace Fayton

Elizabeth City State University

 

1996-1997

Robbyn Manning

Tennessee State University

 

1997-1998

Navasha Boxley Collins

Morgan State University

 

1998-1999

Juanica Robinson Reynolds

Talladega College

 

1999-2000

Michelle Robinson Wilkins

Tennessee State University

 

2000-2001

Megan Richmond

Jackson State University

2001-2002

Chinai J. Hardy

Stillman College

 

2002-2003

Darcie Chism Finch

Fisk University

 

2003-2004

Samantha Thomas

Lincoln University of Missouri

 

2004-2005

Tameka J. Wilson

Bowie State University

 

2005-2006

Kendria Biley

Albany State University

 

2006-2007

Erica-Christina Little

Savannah State University

 

2007-2008

Orna-Charece Jones

Tennessee State University

 

2008-2009

TaNisha Fordham

North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University

 

2009-2010

Kendall Nicole Isadore

Howard University

 

2010-2011

Adrian Love Pruett

Howard University

 

2011-2012

Ashleigh Taylor

Tennessee State University

 

2012-2013

Jasmine Mathews

Spelman College

 

2013-2014

Cayla Cowherd

Virginia Union University

 

2014-2015

Elisa Thomas

University of the Virgin Islands

 

2015-2016

Dontia Y. Barrett

Winston-Salem State University

 

2016-2017

Che-Raina Warner

University of the Virgin Islands

 

2017-2018

Crystal Autumn Brooks

Fisk University

 

2018-2019

Anta Sallah Njie

Spelman College

 

2019-2020

Tangela Mitchell

Spelman College

 

2022-2023

Joy Watson

Virginia State University

 

2020-2021

Patria Gatson

Talladega College

 

2021-2022

Jackeima Flemming

University of the Virgin Islands

2023-2024

Armani Washington

Howard University

 

2024-2025

Nya Floyd

Fort Valley State University

2024 Hall of Fame Queens Participants

Dailona Dallas

Miss Jarvis Christian University

 

Damaris Moore

Miss Howard University

 

Jayla Smalls

Miss Clark Atlanta University

 

Lamonee Morris

Miss University of the Virgin Islands

 

Mya Banks

Miss Fisk University

 

Oluwanifemi Mercy Faniyi

Miss University of Maryland Eastern Shore

 

Sian Lee

Miss Morehouse College

 

Thomyka Valcent

Miss Livingstone College

 

Tori Paige

Miss Norfolk State University

 

Yasmine Bryant

Miss Morgan State University

 

Nya Floyd

Miss Fort Valley State University

[WINNERS] MISS NBCA HALL OF FAME

Patria Gatson

MISS NBCA HALL OF FAME 2020-2021

 

Armani Washington

MISS NBCA HALL OF FAME 2021-2022

 

Jackeima Flemming

MISS NBCA HALL OF FAME 2021-2022

 

Joy Watson 

MISS NBCA HALL OF FAME 2022-2023

 

Nya Floyd

MISS NBCA HALL OF FAME 2024-2025

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Military Influences On Historical Black Greek Letter Fraternities And Sororities (2025 reprint with added content)

Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post is an Update with additional content of a 2016 pancocojams post about the military influences of Historically Black Greek letter fraternities and sororities. (As of November 1, 2025) that 2016 pancocojams post doesn't have any comments).

This post provides an excerpt from the 2005 book African American Fraternities and Sororities: The Legacy and the Vision by Tamara L Brown, ‎Gregory Parks, ‎Clarenda M. Phillips, et. al., publishing date March 11, 2005*.

This post also includes an excerpt from a Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. website on the history of stepping as well as an excerpt of a June 2025 "Watch The Yard" article about a historical marker for the location of the Fort Des Moines Provisional Army Negro Officer Training School. This second online article is an update to that original pancocojams post.

The content of this post is presented for folkloric, historical, and cultural purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to the legacies of all those pioneers in military service and the early members of the Black Greek-letter organizations who are mentioned in this featured book and/or in these article excerpts. Thanks also to the authors of the book and online articles that are quoted in this pancocojams post.
-snip-

*A shorter excerpt on this subject from African American Fraternities and Sororities: The Legacy and the Vision is found in this 2013 pancocojams post: 

http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/11/military-influences-on-fraternity.html. That post also excerpts from other sources and also showcases four YouTube videos that demonstrate the military's influence on historically Black Greek letter fraternity steppin

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Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/11/devil-dogs-q-dogs-are-there-connections.html to read another previous pancocojams post on this subject. New title (changed March 19, 2024) - "The Origins & Connections Between The Nicknames "Devil Dogs" (for United States Marines) & Que Dogs (for members of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity)".

Also, click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2016/08/an-example-of-omega-psi-phi-fraternitys.html for a pancocojams post that showcases a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. who joined that fraternity in 1966 performing the attention command & stance and also performing a chant that is similar to the United State's military "Duckworth Chant" (also known as "Sound Off").

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EXCERPT:"AFRICAN AMERICAN FRATERNITIES AND SORORITIES: THE LEGACY AND VISION" by Tamara L. Brown, ‎Gregory Parks, ‎Clarenda M. Phillips et. al [publishing date: March 11, 2005]

Pancocojams's editor's note:
This excerpt is from the chapter of this book entitled "Variegated Sources". It is presented "as is" with no omissions except for citation numbers and citation information.

Google Books - https://books.google.com/books?id=YBH0rSm5SJQC

[Page] 327
"U.S. Influences on Stepping
Although African traditions and early adaptations of African movements are the foundation of stepping history, the United States lent its own influence to the performance through military cadences and marches, the songs of white fraternities, black music forms, and a variety of pop cultural inspirations. The shared aspect of stepping is further observed through the inclusion of these phenomena. Through marching, organizations exhibit public solidarity; the use of music and pop culture shows that sororities and fraternities exists in the larger framework of U.S. culture and that stepping is an outward symbol of this inclusion.

THE MILITARY
The military has played a large part in the formation and continuation of BGLO chants and steps. One might even say that the performance behaviors of both the military and BGLOs exists in a kind of symbiotic relationship. Blacks have enlisted and continue to enlist in the armed forces. The military has always been a place where those without money or opportunity can provide support for their family and distinguish themselves. As a result of blacks entering the military before, during, and after attending college, one finds BGLO behavior in the military and military behavior in the BGLO system.

The brothers of Omega Psi Phi with their paramilitary garb, trace stepping back to the military influence of the early 1900s. Ex-soldiers attending college would incorporate marches and drills into their BGLO behaviors. During the grand conclave in 1996, a group of Omega men were interviewed regarding the early influence of the military on stepping. “A lot of

[Page] 328

the brothers who helped form this organization were members of the military ROTC programs back in college…If you ever see a line of marching down pledges, they march like a military line that you might see when….marines do their drills. It’s the same with a pledge line or brothers when we step.

Shannon Rawls of Kappa Alpha Psi elaborated: “Members of black organizations, Kappa Alpha Psi, Omega Psi Phi…that went to the military for World War II back in the late 30s and early 40s would come back home and incorporate some of the same cadences and military style back into…the stepping style, or the dance style that they did...

Stepping during this early period was called lining, descriptive of the formation in which soldiers marched. Some Omegas and other BGLO members still refer to stepping as marching on account of this early military influence.

This military behavior is further observed in the clothing, stance, and marching of BGLO members. Part of the basic working military wardrobe consist of camouflage pants, or fatigues, and combat boots. These garments, although found at all fraternities, are especially prevalent among men of Omega Psi Phi. The Omegas wear this attire as a means of paying homage to blacks who were on the front lines during military conflicts. Over the last decade, the wearing of fatigues by sororities has become popular, especially among the members of Delta Sigma Theta. By adopting the military look, the sorors convey that they are every bit as capable of “real” stepping as the fraternity brothers.

The position of “attention” and “at ease” are often found in BGLO step performances. When at attention, the steppers face forward with their feet placed together, their eyes directed slightly above the crowd, and their arms either at their sides or slightly parallel to the earth with both fists meeting in the middle of their chest. When given the call for at ease, the performers spread their feet shoulder length apart, clasp their hands behind their backs, and turn their heads first to the side, then forward to face the crowd. Between the various segments of the performance, the steppers stand at attention or at ease as a method of showing readiness. The precision marching of the military is also found in steps such as Alpha Phi Alpha’s “Parade”, in which steppers form a tight group, and using cadence, execute sharp turns and coordinated hand and arm movements that are paired with the calls of the step master.

Alpha brother Reginald Love III states, “When we step, it’s got cadence to it. I learned that being in the military, a lot of [fraternity] cadence is military related.”

Versions of the chants found in BGLOs are also found in military jodies, commonly known as cadences. It is unclear which came first, but this dual

[Page] 329

presence suggests a close relationship between the two organizations. For example, chants such as the Alphas’ “St. Peter” exists in both places with only minor changes. The military’s version of “St. Peter” is as follows:

When I get to heaven (repeat)
St. Peter gonna say
How’d you get to heaven?
How’d you earn your way?
And, I’ll reply,
With a little bit of anger,
I made my way blood, guts, sweat, and danger.
I live my live as an airborne ranger.

The Alpha version of that chant is identical except for the omission of the last line.”...

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EXCERPT FROM A PHI BETA SIGMA ARTICLE
From http://students.washington.edu/pbskl/step.htm
The history of Stepping according to the Temple of Blue
"The Genesis
...Other elements of stepping formed after the return of brothers from World War II. Various elements of military marching and line formations were implemented into fraternities with the end of the war and the advent of peace time. This, along with the founders influence, are some of the origins for the use of the cane by Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. in many regions. To this day the military influence as well as Masonic influences can still be seen in the step process as well as the pledge process of most Black Greek Lettered Organizations. It is through these and many other factors that stepping began to become an intimate part of Black Greek Lettered Organizations.

SOURCES:

Brother Terrence A.B. Lewis
Brother Ahab El'Askeni

The Evolution

Aspects of stepping within fraternities became prevalent when brothers returned from World War II. As more and more military men joined or chartered chapters they brought march elements into the pledge process. Of course many practices are based upon the Masonic influence as well as the African influence of the marching armies of antiquity such as the Warriars of Carthage, led by the military genius of Hannibal Ruler of Carthage ( 247-183 B.C. ), the Nubian warriors of the mighty King Piankhy of Nubia ( c. 720 B.C. ), as well as the Zulu Legion of the famed general Chaka, the Zulu Monarch ( c. 1786 - 1828 B.C. ).

For Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, in many regions, canes were used due, in part, to the influence of the founders, but for the most part by the military drill sergeants who were members. In the late 40's and early 50's, for the purpose of identification, many black drill sergeants carried canes. These canes allowed other black soldiers to identify with their rank, which was necessary on many bases where racism was prevalent. Of course there were some drill sergeants that were members of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. as well as Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. and it is possible that these were some of the influences for using canes as a part of the step process."...

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EXCERPT FROM A "WATCH THE YARD" POST
From https://www.facebook.com/WatchTheYard/posts/black-american-military-history-receiving-its-proper-recognition-thanks-to-the-d/1099218692240847/ Watch The Yard is in Des Moines, Iowa.

June 6, 2025

"Black American military history receiving its proper recognition, thanks to the determined efforts of Kappa Alpha Psi Brother Don North (Pi Chapter, 1975). On June 14, 2025, a new Iowa State Historical Marker will be unveiled where the Fort Des Moines Provisional Army Negro Officer Training School stood, honoring the more than 1,200 Black men who trained there during World War I to become U.S. Army officers. Many of these men were not only pioneers in military service, they were also early members of the Black Greek-letter organizations that shaped the 20th century and some were even the founders of those organizations.

In 1917, Fort Des Moines became the first and only training camp for African American officers during World War I. Among those commissioned were Elder Watson Diggs, a founder of Kappa Alpha Psi; Edgar Amos Love and Frank Coleman, founders of Omega Psi Phi; Charles H. Houston, a member of Alpha Phi Alpha who would later become the legal architect behind the NAACP’s campaign to dismantle segregation; and Howard D. Queen, a Phi Beta Sigma brother and Buffalo Soldier.

The historical marker being installed at Fort Des Moines aims to permanently honor their legacy. It is the first formal public recognition of these officers and their contributions—a silence now being replaced by remembrance.

The legacy of Fort Des Moines doesn’t end with World War I. During World War II, it also served as a training site for the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC), where 40 Black women—trailblazers in their own right—were trained for military service. Among them was Charity Adams, a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., who became the first Black woman commissioned as an officer in the WAAC and eventually rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel. Adams served with distinction, commanding the only all-Black, all-female battalion deployed overseas during World War II.

With the unveiling set for June 14, 2025, the legacy of Fort Des Moines and the Divine Nine members who walked its grounds will finally be honored—not just as military history, but as a vital part of the Black American story."

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Seven YouTube Videos Of 2025 Historically Black College & University (HBCU) Graduates Wearing Kente Cloth Stoles With Their Cap & Gown At Their Graduation Ceremonies

George L. Cook III, May 17, 2025  #HBCU #bootsontheground #virginiastateuniversity

At Virginia State University's graduation they had their "Boots on the Ground"! #virginiastateuniversity #VSU #bootsontheground #HBCU

Music:803Fresh - "Boots on the Ground" (first released December 2024)
-snip-
Virginia State University is located in Petersburg, Virginia.

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Edited by Azizi Powell

This is Part II of a two part pancocojam series on the custom of some African American male or females students who are graduating from a college/university wearing at least one kente cloth stole with their graduation gown.

This post showcases seven 2025 videos of Black graduates from historically Black colleges and universities wearing kente cloth stoles in their  graduation ceremony.  

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2025/05/continuing-custom-beginning-around-2010.html  for Part I of this pancocojams series. That post showcases a YouTube video of a Kente cloth color combination and pattern that has become standard in the United States, during graduations and for other uses (such as various decorations, book marks, clothing designs etc.)  

Part I of this pancocojams series also includes my notes about the history of the voluntary custom of African Americans wearing kente cloth stoles during university/college graduation

The content of this post is presented for historical, socio-cultural, entertainment, and aesthetics purposes. All copyrights remain with their owners. Thanks to all those who are featured in these showcase videos and thanks to the publishers of these videos on YouTube. -snip- This post is part of an ongoing pancocojams series about kente cloth graduation stoles.

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2022/03/some-members-of-alpha-phi-alpha.html for a 2022 pancocojams post entitled "Members Of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Wearing One Or More Kente Cloth Stole/s With Their Graduation Cap & Gown" is also included in this post. A pancocojams post on this subject has been published for each of the "Divine Nine" historically Black Greek letter organizations. 

Click the "kente cloth graduation stole" tag below to find more pancocojams posts on this subject, including a post on this custom with the same title that is given for Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity except for the name of the specific historically Black Greek letter fraternity or sorority that you are interested in reading about and seeing videos of.

Also, click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2025/05/should-line-dance-song-boots-on-ground.html for the closely related pancocojams post entitled "Should The Line Dance Song "Boots On The Ground" Be Part Of HBCUs' (Historically Black Colleges & Universities') Graduation Ceremonies?"

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SHOWCASE VIDEOS
These videos are given in no particular order and are numbered for referencing purposes only.

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SHOWCASE VIDEO #1

This video is embedded at the top of this post.

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SHOWCASE VIDEO #2 -Boots on the Ground at #JCSU 2025 Graduation

@JCSUniversity, May 18, 2025

Johnson C Smith University (JCS University) is located in Charlotte, North Carolina.

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SHOWCASE VIDEO #3 - Howard University's 157th Commencement with Special Guest LeVar Burton

WHUT TV, Apr 24, 2025  #WHUTtv

Congratulations to the class of 2025.

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SHOWCASE VIDEO #4 - GRADUATION HBCU ALUMNI. 💋

Forensic8888, May 10, 2025  #college #alumni #hbcupride

My 2025 , graduation #hbcupride #alumni #college

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SHOWCASE VIDEO #5 - pov: akas get degrees🩷🎓!!! #graduation #d9 #degree #alphakappaalpha #aka

hailie zakira :),   May 22, 2025
-snip-
AKA=Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

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SHOWCASE VIDEO #6 - 2025 NCA&T Graduation

@hbcuendzone202, mAY 15, 2025

🎓💙 The NCA&T Class of 2025 came to shine! Necks draped in cords, medals, and stoles - proof of late nights, big dreams, and well-earned honors. This isn’t just graduation - it’s a celebration of Black excellence. 🐶💛 Repost 🎥 : @officialrichaard @ricchthekiid on Tiktok
-snip-
"NCA&T" = North Carolina Agricultural & Technical University (located in Greensboro, North Carolina). 

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SHOWCASE VIDEO #7 - Hashone Carry Jr. CO2025 Graduation Tape | HBCU Grad | Lincoln University of PA 166th Commencement

 

Shot By HASH, May 9, 2025  LINCOLN UNIVERSITY

Here is the graduation recap tape for Hashone Carry Jr., Class of 2025 3.962 GPA Summa Cum Laude Graduate from the nation's first-degree-granting HBCU Lincoln University of PA.

Starring: Hashone Carry - Class of 2025 Graduate

Co-Directed by: GioMadeIt, ViewsWithVozzy, & Hashone Carry Jr.

Shot + Edited by:  @The Urban Anatomy  ‪@viewswvozzy #ViewsWithVozzy #UrbanAnatomy
-snip-
from AI (Google Search) "Lincoln University/Pennsylvania is located in  southern Chester County, pennsylvania within an hour of major cities like Philadelphia, Baltimore, Wilmington, and Newark".
-snip-
There is a Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri that is also a Historically Black College & University.

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This concludes Part II of this two part pancocojams series.

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Visitor comments are welcome.

Continuing The African American Custom Of Wearing At Least One Kente Cloth Stole Over Their Graduation Gown During Their University Graduation Ceremony

Sankofa Edition, Nov 1, 2021

A video showing how sankofaedition.com Authentic Kente Cloth Graduation Stole is woven.
-snip-
This video showcases the kente cloth pattern that has become the standard colors and standard design among Black people in the United States, particularly worn as a stole over a university graduation gown by HBCU (Historically Black Colleges & University ) graduates.

The kente cloth pattern in this video features the pan-African colors of green, gold, and red along with the color black. The colors green, gold, and red are known as pan-African colors because they are used as the colors for the flags of a number of African nations including Ethiopia and Ghana. (Kente cloth is most often associated with Ghana, West Africa.)

Click https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pan-African_colours for information about pan-African colors. That page includes depictions of  African nations whose flags have the colors green, gold, and red, or green, gold, red, & black, or red, black, and green.

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Edited by Azizi Powell

This is Part I of a two part pancocojam series on the custom of some African American male or females students who are graduating from a college/university wearing at least one kente cloth stole with their graduation gown. 

This post showcases a YouTube video of a Kente cloth color combination and pattern that has become standard in the United States, during graduations and for other uses (such as various decorations, book marks, clothing designs etc.)   

This pancocojams post also includes my notes about the history of the voluntary custom of African Americans wearing kente cloth stoles during university/college graduation.

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2025/05/seven-youtube-videos-of-2025-hbcu.html for Part II of this pancocojams series. That post showcases several 2025 videos of Black graduates from historically Black colleges and universities wearing kente cloth stoles in their graduation ceremony.

The content of this post is presented for historical, socio-cultural, entertainment, and aesthetics purposes. All copyrights remain with their owners. Thanks to all those who are featured in this showcase video and thanks to the publisher of that video on YouTube. -snip- This post is part of an ongoing pancocojams series about kente cloth graduation stoles.

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2022/03/some-members-of-alpha-phi-alpha.html for a 2022 pancocojams post entitled "Members Of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Wearing One Or More Kente Cloth Stole/s With Their Graduation Cap & Gown". A pancocojams post on this subject has been published for each of the other "Divine Nine" historically Black Greek letter organizations. 

Click the "kente cloth graduation stole" tag below to find more pancocojams posts on this subject, including a post on this custom with the same title that is given for Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity except for the name of the specific historically Black Greek letter fraternity or sorority that you are interested in reading about and seeing videos of.

**** THE AFRICAN AMERICAN CUSTOM OF WEARING KENTE CLOTH STOLE/S DURING UNIVERSITY GRADUATIONS
by Azizi Powell (latest revision May 25, 2025)

"BACKGROUND
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kente_cloth [retrieved May 25, 2025]
"Kente refers to a Ghanaian textile made of hand-woven strips of silk and cotton.[1] Historically the fabric was worn in a toga-like fashion among the Asante, Akan and Ewe people. According to Asante oral tradition, it originated from Bonwire in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. In modern day Ghana, the wearing of kente cloth has become widespread to commemorate special occasions, and kente brands led by master weavers are in high demand.

Due to the popularity of kente[2] cloth patterns, production of mass-produced prints with the kente patterns have become popular throughout West Africa, and by extension the whole of Africa. Globally, the print is used in the design of academic stoles in graduation ceremonies worn mostly by black people in the United States and Canada."

KENTE CLOTH GRADUATION STOLES IN THE UNITED STATES
Since the 1970s in the United States, kente cloth has become a recognized short cut symbol of African heritage. Kente cloth is the most widely known example and often the only known example of traditional African fabric in the United States. There are countless contemporary usages of kente cloth designs in the United States including as clothing fabric, book marks, and Kwanzaa ornaments. However, the most widely adopted use of kente cloth in the United States has been Black Americans’ wearing one or more kente cloth stole with the standard cap and gown (robe) during graduation ceremonies.  This custom is especially found among Black Americans who are graduating from a Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCU), university or college, although Black Americans graduating from a Predominately White Institution (PMI) may also wear one or more kente cloth graduation stoles. While wearing a kente cloth stole is a voluntary decision, it has become traditional among those graduates in either a HBCU or a PMI (Predominately White Institutions) who are members of historically Black Greek letter sororities and fraternities.* 

The kente cloth stole represents the graduates' connection to and pride in their African heritage, and their pride in their accomplishment of graduating. If they are members of a historically Black Greek lettered fraternity or sorority, the favored stole is in the two colors of their organization and includes that fraternity's or sorority's three Greek letters.
-snip-
*Members of these organization that aren't Black may also follow that custom of wearing one or more kente cloth stole in their graduation ceremony.

DESCRIPTION OF KENTE CLOTH GRADUATION STOLES IN THE UNITED STATES
"Kente cloth is a traditional fabric of the Akan people of Ghana, Ivory Coast, and Togo West Africa. The custom in the United States of African Americans wearing kente cloth as stoles during graduation (particularly from universities, but sometimes also from high school and from middle school) is an adaptation of the ways that kente was traditionally worn. Since 2010, it has become customary for many African Americans who are graduating from universities (colleges) to wear a particular design of kente cloth stoles that has a green, gold, red, and black color combination. Because those are the colors for the Pan-African flag, I refer to this kente graduation stole as the "pan-African kente graduation stole".

Instead of or in addition to wearing this green, gold, red, and black colored kente cloth stole, some members of historically Black Greek letter fraternities or sororities (regardless of their race or ethnicity) often choose to wear one or more customized kente cloth stole/s. A customized graduation stole has the two colors that represent that Greek letter organization and also includes that fraternity's or sorority's three Greek letters (representing that organization's name). Graduates who wear the pan-African kente graduation stole and/or their fraternity or sorority's customized kente stole may also wear other academic stoles that they have earned. based on my YouTube video searches, it doesn't appear to be a custom for  African American university students in general or for members of Black Greek letter organizations to wear pan-kente cloth stoles or customized kente cloth stoles at any other time other than during these graduation ceremonies and after graduation stepping or strolling performances.

Much less frequently, kente cloth stoles may be worn by Black graduates in the United States at other levels such as children graduating from elementary school or teenagers graduating from high school.

The green, gold, red, and black pan-African kente cloth graduation stole seems to be the standard kente graduation stole for African Americans as a whole since at least 2012. It appears to be customary for some members of historically Black Greek letter organizations who are graduating from a university to also wear a customized stole for their fraternity or sorority as well as any academic stole that they have earned in addition to or in place of that pan-African kente graduation stole. The customized fraternity or sorority kente graduation stoles have that organization's two colors, the organization's name, and its three Greek letters (such as Alpha Phi Alpha ΑΦΑ).

In the admittedly informal YouTube searches that I've conducted, I haven't found any videos that show kente cloth stoles being worn by members of any historically Black Greek letter organizations at any time other than for their university graduation ceremony and their stepping, strolling, hopping, singing performances that may spontaneously occur immediately after that formal graduation ceremony.

The earliest YouTube video that I've found that shows a member of a historically Black fraternity/sorority wearing a customized kente graduation stole is Delta Sigma Theta Sorority (video published August 10, 2010;  https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2022/03/some-members-of-delta-sigma-theta.html.

Two other early examples of kente cloth graduation stoles are Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2022/03/some-members-of-phi-beta-sigma.html (video published in May 2011) and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity (published in June 2011) https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2022/03/some-members-of-omega-psi-phi-fratrnity.html .

Prior to around 2010 or 2011 members of historically Black Greek letter organizations wore customized graduation stoles made out of some shiny materials [?] or made out of cloth. Graduation stoles made out of kente cloth began to be seen in those videos from 2010 and 2011 on, although those customized graduation stoles made from other fabrics appear to still be worn by some members of those historically Black Greek organizations (BGLOs).

It's important to note that it has become traditional for members of a historically Greek letter fraternity or sorority to wear a kente cloth stole during their graduation ceremony that represents that fraternity or sorority (with the two colors of that organization, and the organization's three Greek letters). It also appears that graduating members of historically Black fraternities or sororities often wear a traditional pan-African green, gold, red, and black kente cloth stole along with their fraternity/sorority kente cloth stole. In addition, that graduating senior can wear other honor stoles with these aforementioned stoles.

It's important to note that these customs aren't limited to graduating students at HBCUs. Some Black graduating seniors at PWIs (predominately White institutions) also follow the kente cloth customs that I've described, particularly if they are members of a historically Greek letter fraternity or sorority. For Black graduating students who aren't members of any Black Greek letter organization at a HBCUS or at a PMIs, wearing kente cloth stoles is a voluntary decision. The decision to wear a kente cloth stole may be positively influenced by the fact that especially a HBCUs, a University President and at least some of that university's staff may wear a pan-African kente cloth stole or some other kente cloth stole over their robe along with another or some other stoles. 
-snip-
Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2022/03/how-color-combinations-for-kente-cloth.html for the closely related pancocojams post entitled "How The Color Combinations For Kente Cloth Stoles Have Changed For African American Graduating Students." That post provides more descriptions of the pan-African kente cloth graduation stole.

Also, click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2018/05/black-university-graduates-in-united.html for the closely related pancocojams post entitled "Black Fraternity & Sorority Tradition Of Strolling During Or After A University Graduation Ceremony". That 2018 post also provides information about the historically Black Greek letter organizations traditions of stepping and strolling.".

**** This concludes Part I of this pancocojams series.

Thanks for visiting pancocojams. Visitor comments are welcome.

Should The Line Dance Song "Boots On The Ground" Be Part Of HBCUs' (Historically Black Colleges & Universities') Graduation Ceremonies?

George L. Cook III, May 17, 2025  #HBCU #bootsontheground #virginiastateuniversity

At Virginia State University's graduation they had their "Boots on the Ground"! #virginiastateuniversity #VSU #bootsontheground #HBCU

Music:803Fresh - "Boots on the Ground" (first released December 2024)

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Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post showcases two 2025 YouTube videos of 803 Fresh's hit line dance song "Boots On The Ground" ("Where dem fans at?") being danced to as part of the official graduating ceremonies at two Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs). 

These two videos are a small sample of YouTube videos that document the "Boots On The Ground" record being played at several other HBCU graduating ceremonies or those university's marching band performing that line dance song. 

This pancocojams post also includes some comments from the discussion thread for Showcase video #1 These comments document the varying opinions about including dancing to the line dance song "Boots On The Ground" in that university's graduation ceremony. Some commenters really liked that song being included in the graduating ceremonies while others really didn't like it being included.   

The Addendum to this post showcases a YouTube video of the marching band at a New Orleans, Louisiana high school performing "Boots On The Ground" and some graduating seniors dancing to that song during their high school graduation.

The content of this post is presented for historical, socio-cultural, and entertainment purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to 803Fresh for his "Boots On The Ground" record. Thanks also to all those who are featured in these videos and thanks to the producers of these videos on YouTube.

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SHOWCASE VIDEO #2 - Boots on the Ground at #JCSU 2025 Graduation

@JCSUniversity,  May 18, 2025

Where them Grads at!? Johnson C Smith University President and Commencement Speaker Sheryl Underwood
-snip-
This YouTube video short doesn't have any comments (as of May 24, 2025 at 9:19 AM).

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SELECTED COMMENTS FROM SHOWCASE VIDEO #1

All of these comments were published between May17-May 24, 2025

Numbers are added for referencing purposes only.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmRx_hLKvUM

1. @helloooo7703
"NOTHING like an HBCU graduation!!! 👩🏾‍🎓👨🏾‍🎓. Congrats to all the new grads. May their futures be bright and successful 😊❤."

**
2. @JEFFREYCONYERS-r2b
"Great to see the staff let the grads enjoy themselves going on a highlight day."

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3. @GladysGrace001
"That was Fan-Tastic. ❤❤❤❤"

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4. @patriciajones5605
"Congratulations to the class of 2025 keep them boots on the ground for your future👩🏽‍🎓👨🏽‍🎓❤️🙏🏽"

**
5. @PrivilegePearl
"When I tell you I love this, I mean I love this. VSU is next on my list for my monthly June donation to HBCUs"

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6. @conradgilliam8847
"This is most inappropriate for an academic ceremony.  Where is the pomp and circumstance?"

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Reply
7. @AAReports
"@conradgilliam8847  This was before the actual ceremony and the President wanted the students, staff, and guests to have some fun. It's a celebration not a damned funeral"

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Reply
8. @elainemarylee
"What makes it inappropriate? They’re celebrating their accomplishments, so let them have their moment."

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9. @exquisitecaribbeanqueen7198
"And they were criticizing them, calling them Rachet.....All they're doing is enjoying themselves. People minds a crazy, we should be happy to see our young black children graduate period.?

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Reply
10. @noble604
"Pay people no mind. Anything Błack people do is considered “ratchet.” Cultural expression doesn’t apply to Błack people, just to everyone else."

If they were all Greek at a Greek school and they jumped up and danced and hopped in circles, that would be cool and Greek. If they were Hawaiian and started doing hula dancing, that would be beautiful and of Hawaiian culture. If they were Irish, you know what that is... you get it.

Black people aren’t supposed to have a  culture.

Pay people no mind. Enjoy  these expressions of coming together in celebration.⭐️⭐"

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Reply
11. @kelj4517
"@exquisitecaribbeanqueen7198

It’s the truth it’s a ratchet graduation!"

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Reply
12. @exquisitecaribbeanqueen7198
"@kelj4517 Whatever..... As a man thinketh so is he ..."

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Reply
13. @lovetotravel780
"noble604  To Noble604 I would express the same opinion about the individuals and examples mentioned in your message.

I am not suggesting that students, faculty, and guests should be somber or silent. However, I believe there is a time and place for exuberant behavior like dancing, yelling, or barking, and an academic event is not one of them.

This is a college graduation, not a cookout or family gathering.

I have witnessed similar behavior at other universities.

I wonder if this trend indicates a departure from tradition and tact in educational institutions.

If this behavior continues, do not be surprised if some perceive these graduates as belonging in a circus rather than on a stage celebrating their achievements."

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Reply
14. @noble604
"lovetotravel - May I suggest you forward this and all other of your  concerns to the universities themselves? Their governing bodies  hold authority on the way they conduct their events and ceremonies. If the universities not only allow it but participate in it, clearly, it is in alignment with the code of conduct of that institution. If you’d like to change the culture of these institutions, it might be helpful to take it up with them. ⭐️"

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Reply
15. @lovetotravel780
"@noble604  To noble604 I will not be forwarding anything to the university authorities. This is my personal observation regarding the choices, behaviors, and patterns I have noticed. It is amusing and somewhat predictable that Virginia State University chose to celebrate in this manner."

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Reply
16. @fareladee5970
"@noble604 THANK YOU FOR THIS COMMENT! 💯  To GOD BE THE GLORY🙏🏾🙌🏾  CONGRATS GRADS!🥾 💃🏾 🕺🏽 ❤"

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Reply
17. @michelejohnson1001
"This is their moment to shine ,so don't hate , surely you can't top this or stop it no matter how much you racist haters try"

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Reply
18. @starsandlakes8576
"@kelj4517 then so be it lol, they worked hard and they're happy. So they win😊"

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19. @jamalhartley4413
"We black we do it better and different over here"

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20. @pamelajohnson8515
"I love it, I love it, I love it!!!!!! These young people have picked them up and put them down for 4 + years, they needed that send off. My heartfelt thanks goes to the President of the University for the foresight to give all the graduates the opportunity to put their boots on the ground, thank you for being so wonderful. Congratulations to all the graduates, if you shoot for the moon and you miss, always know that you’ll be amongst the stars ⭐️ 🌟⭐️🌟⭐️"

**
21. @msteach3082
"I LOVE US!!! ❤❤❤❤🧑🏾‍🎓"

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22. @nurset2299
"Congratulations and thank you to the staff and administration for that❤"

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23. @nghtwtchr9
"Graduations 🧑‍🎓 are supposed to be a celebration of accomplishment and achievement! I’m glad to see one university truly understanding that idea. “Now, where your fans 🪭 at?”*"

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24. @yvonneeiland1150
"Nothing like a HBCU"

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25. @Donna-e9d2j
"All that education and still classless...This is so tacky on so many levels....Turning this special event into a night club show..😥

And we wonder why they don't give us respect or take us seriously....😢😢😢"

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Reply
26. @benitbaby485
"You seem so bitter and unhappy.  It's a celebration. The song fits the ceremony at hand. They will be starting a new chapter in their lives. You didn't hear any barking or hollering. No farm animals were present. The President and faculty seem to be rejoicing with them."

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Reply
27. @myraaustin6717
"Your comment is classless. I take great offense to your unnecessary judgment. My daughter and her fellow classmates are far from classless. It is unfair of you to judge an entire event off of a clip. If you care to see what led to this joyous moment please watch the ceremony in it's entirety on YouTube. Also, please refrain from tearing "our" young adults and institutions down with your negativity. Lastly, if you are truly one of "us," kindly follow the guidance of your past elders and keep your mouth shut if you don't have anything good to say. May God grant you inner peace and acceptance of yourself, black culture and how we express ourselves. #Black People Aren't Defined by What Other People Think of Us!"

**
28. @strella22
"This made me smile for the first time today especially seeing the Faculty dancing with the students.  And don't you worry I was dancing with them.  I love it!  Congratulations!  Now go make your mark on the world and don't let anyone tell you what you can't do."

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29. @RueStCharles
"Tears of joy...I'm so full...Congratulations babies."

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30. @melodythompson9748
"So awesome ❤"

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31. @LouSmith-cg4vs
"This should be 2025 HBCU theme music...Dance baby"

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32. @LouSmith-cg4vs
"That's my black people. CELEBRATE.🎉🎶🔥🔥🎵"

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33. @cri1625
"Ain't NO people like MY PEOPLE!!!!! I LOVE ME SOME US!!!! 🎉 CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE GRADUATES 🪭🪭🪭 ✨️Asé✨️"

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34. @bellaendale7174
"I had to be born black..ah..I love love love love love my people..we infect the world with joy.  Joy is our act of resistance ❤🎉❤ Congratulations to the graduates 🎓"

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35. @sabrinaestrada3590
"How fun! I love my VSU!"

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36.@kjkjkj360
"A wonderful memory"

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37. @elainemarylee
"Yes! Shout out to the 2025 graduates! 🎉🎉🎉"

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38. @richingooddeeds1036
"🔥🔥🔥🔥....Yassssss"

 **
39. @johnnetherly7878
"Dance at the graduation party after the ceremony, but always keep the school graduation dignified and classy."

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40. @octaviajohnson6989
"Go on and celebrate your accomplishments ❤ where dem fans at 803 Fresh❤ Y’all need a tambourine 😂🎉😂"

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41. @HeyegherVibez
"Fixing those tired traditions... Y'all welcome... Feel free to celebrate your loved ones when they walk so they know they'll never walk alone and keep the energy for those that unfortunately had to so they know they've just been adopted and have an entire family... "

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42. @joyfra3549
"Congrats to everyone! Still we rise."

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43. @TheBeverly7
"BRAVO❤"

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44. @rhcsw1682
"Now that's a GRADUATION!!!!!!!!   That's how it should be celebratory....."

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45. @LucyBall-ox8dc
"This is so cool"

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46. @MollieEverett-d5p1o
"Get it y’all"

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47. @mildredpierce4506
"I need to invite myself to one of their graduations, even though I don’t know any graduates."

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48. @michelejohnson1001
"This is the way they chose to celebrate their day the way wanted ,so why does it bother you 🤔"

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49.@mjay8335
"My eyes welled up when I saw dancing the people with the three-stripes-on-the-sleeves robes. OMG…Having a doctorate and culturally engaged?!  #BlackBrillianceOurWay #AfrocentricErudition😱😎👍🏾🍫👩🏿‍🎓🎓"

**
50. @DFL_iBAIP
"For some reason this song as become the new Blk national anthem"

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ADDENDUM - New Orleans High School Graduation

 

@culturallydistinctpodcast May 15, 2025
-snip-
That video short only has three comments as of May 24, 2025. The first commenter posted a series of congratulations emojis. The second comment asked for the name of that New Orleans high school, and the third commenter shared that the school's name is "Landry walker"

****
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