Philadelphia Stages Second HBCU Week With Two Football Games and a Job Fair

Philadelphia's second annual HBCU Week opened Friday with a college and job fair, church services and step performances, part of a six-day schedule of events marking historically Black colleges and universities. The program runs through Saturday's football game between Delaware State University and Norfolk State University. Tailgaters arrived hours before Friday night's game.

The celebration began in 2025 as a single-day event with one football game. This year it includes two matchups, band competitions, step shows and community events across six days. Lincoln University plays Virginia Union University on Friday night. Delaware State faces Norfolk State on Saturday.

Both teams in Saturday's game were led in 2025 by former Philadelphia Eagles players, DeSean Jackson at Delaware State and Michael Vick at Norfolk State. That game served as the centerpiece of Philadelphia's first HBCU celebration.

Mayor Cherelle Parker said the week extends past the field. "To me it's about pride, it's about dignity, it's about putting people on a path to self-sufficiency," Parker said. She also pointed to the spending visitors bring. "Am I excited about seeing these people eat in our restaurants, shopping in our stores, and thinking about the tax revenue it will generate as a result of the volume of people that are coming here, absolutely!" Parker said.

Members of the Divine Nine, the historically Black fraternities and sororities, have taken part in the festivities with step performances. High school student Zaniyah Harvey said the events changed how she sees her own prospects. "It's shows me I can be something and that I can be smarter and be more than what other people think I am because everyone is showing you different things," Harvey said. Dr. Bonnee Breese Bentum, an attendee, said the gathering carries weight for her. "Knowing the skin I'm in, it means a whole lot. Especially in these times in this country. Where else as a black person will you get the love of self to keep going, keep striving," Bentum said.

The Delaware State and Norfolk State game is scheduled for Saturday.