Sorority women stroll during the 6th Annual South Florida HBCU Picnic at Florida Memorial University in Miami Gardens, Florida, on Saturday, July 9, 2022.
Daniel A. Varela
dvarela@miamiherald.com
Community, soul and life were abuzz at Florida Memorial University as the Sixth Annual South Florida HBCU Picnic kicked off.
Hundreds of alumni, students and family from Historically Black Colleges and Universities from across the U.S. descended on the Miami Gardens university to socialize, dance and eat.
People walk around and socialize during the 6th Annual South Florida HBCU Picnic at Florida Memorial University in Miami Gardens, Florida, on Saturday, July 9, 2022. Daniel A. Varela dvarela@miamiherald.com
Bethune-Cookman University alumnus Roger “Duke LiveParty’ Farrell reacts with friends during the 6th Annual South Florida HBCU Picnic at Florida Memorial University in Miami Gardens, Florida, on Saturday, July 9, 2022. Daniel A. Varela dvarela@miamiherald.com
Crowds were so large cars spilled into surrounding streets as attendees tried to find open parking.
Michelle Davis, 50, encapsulated the core of what the HBCU picnic was about — generational HBCU history. Davis and her daughter Dr. Imanu Spivey, are almuni of Bethune-Cookman University and Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. Along for the ride was Spivey’s 1-year-old daughter, who they hope one day will attend a HBCU as well.
Bethune-Cookman University alumnus Michelle Davis, 50, left, and Dr. Imani Spivey, 25, right, sit with Serae Johnson Lipkins, 1, center, during the 6th Annual South Florida HBCU Picnic at Florida Memorial University in Miami Gardens, Florida, on Saturday, July 9, 2022. The trio are grandmother, daughter, and granddaughter. Daniel A. Varela dvarela@miamiherald.com
Sprawled across FMU’s lawns were dozens of stalls and kiosks selling food and representing numerous HBCUs. From purses to tacos to shirts, there was something for everyone.
Collegiate apparel hangs ready for sale during the 6th Annual South Florida HBCU Picnic at Florida Memorial University in Miami Gardens, Florida, on Saturday, July 9, 2022. Daniel A. Varela dvarela@miamiherald.com
Bethune-Cookman University alumnus Elena Robinson shops for collegiate attire during the 6th Annual South Florida HBCU Picnic at Florida Memorial University in Miami Gardens, Florida, on Saturday, July 9, 2022. Daniel A. Varela dvarela@miamiherald.com
In traditional HBCU fashion, different sororities also strutted through the lawns showing off their school pride.
Sorority women stroll during the 6th Annual South Florida HBCU Picnic at Florida Memorial University in Miami Gardens, Florida, on Saturday, July 9, 2022. Daniel A. Varela dvarela@miamiherald.com
Sorority women stroll during the 6th Annual South Florida HBCU Picnic at Florida Memorial University in Miami Gardens, Florida, on Saturday, July 9, 2022. Daniel A. Varela dvarela@miamiherald.com
Sorority women stroll during the 6th Annual South Florida HBCU Picnic at Florida Memorial University in Miami Gardens, Florida, on Saturday, July 9, 2022. Daniel A. Varela dvarela@miamiherald.com
This story was originally published July 9, 2022 at 9:00 PM.
Miami Herald Cops and Breaking News Reporter Devoun Cetoute covers a plethora of Florida topics, from breaking news to crime patterns. He was on the breaking news team that won a Pulitzer Prize in 2022. He’s a graduate of the University of Florida, born and raised in Miami-Dade. Theme parks, movies and cars are on his mind in and out of the office.
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