“I’m based on the West Coast, but every time I come here, to D.C., it feels like I’m going home. Homecoming is like a huge family reunion. And I mean, the vibe is always right. You got the fashion, the vibe, the culture, the food, the drinks—everything is on point,” said House of Payne star and Howard alum Lance Gross in an interview with EBONY during Howard’s Centennial Homecoming weekend.
Howard University Homecoming Weekend 2024. Image: Kianga J Moore.
Howard University, known as “The Mecca,” has been a cornerstone of Black excellence and education for over a century. Founded in 1867, the institution has a storied history of cultivating leaders like activist W.E.B. Du Bois, the late Chadwick Boseman and countless graduates who have made significant contributions to American culture and beyond. Centennial Homecoming weekend marked a monumental moment with over 7,000 attendees descending upon “Chocolate City” for The Bison Ball and Off the Yard Tailgate featured events.
While the weekend was full of joyous celebrations, it was also a reminder of the economic strains HBCUs have faced to continue to operate. In 2020, many historically Black colleges were hit hard by the pandemic’s impact. This was a harsh reality for institutions that are a vital part of Black communities when it comes to cultivating future Black leaders. Recognizing the significance of legacy Universities, Diageo, a global spirits giant, committed $12 million in 2021 to establish permanent endowments at 29 HBCUs, ensuring long-term financial stability and scholarships for future students.
Howard University Homecoming Weekend 2024. Image: Kianga J Moore.
Diageo’s investment in HBCUs is a strategic move to create a more inclusive and sustainable business environment. “For us, being a better business means being a business that includes everyone,” said Jayant “J.” Kairam, Vice President for Society at Diageo North America. When speaking with EBONY, Kairam explained that Diageo’s endowment program is designed to support the financial health of historically Black institutions and generate funding for scholarships, tuition assistance and other educational expenses.
Howard University Homecoming Weekend 2024. Image: Vantage Productions.
Kairam highlighted that Diageo’s commitment goes beyond just financial support. The company has also implemented programs like “Learning Skills for Life,” a job skills and readiness initiative that equips students with essential professional preparation for the hospitality sector. “We’ve been working to attract talent from historically underrepresented groups to the hospitality sector, and our work with HBCUs is critical in this effort,” Kairam added.
Gross mentioned the significance of corporate partnerships. “When huge companies do initiatives like this for our culture, it’s a wonderful thing,” he said, “I’m big on education, and I value when people pour into our institutions.”
As one of the highest-ranking African American women in the alcohol industry, Stephanie Childs, Executive Vice President of Corporate Relations, North America, leads Diageo’s corporate initiatives. She is dedicated to making a meaningful impact and ensuring the brand’s work with HBCUs is authentic and focused on building strong relationships within the communities they serve.
Lance Gross. Image: courtesy of Diageo.
For Gross, Howard University was not just a school but a dream realized. Growing up in Oakland, California, he was inspired by his twin sisters, who originally wanted to attend Howard. That motivation, along with being influenced by iconic television shows like A Different World, cemented his goal of attending an HBCU. “I knew that’s what I wanted for myself. Howard was where I wanted to be. I got a full scholarship, and my parents couldn’t say no.”
“Howard taught me how to be a man. It taught me how to grind and how to hustle. You get that going to an HBCU- it’s like an extension of the village,” he said.
Howard University Homecoming Weekend 2024. Image: Vantage Productions.
When he reflected on the power and unlimited potential of HBCUs, Gross said with conviction, “We’re the most powerful people in the world; the sky’s the limit for us. There’s no ceiling on what we can achieve. It’s up from here.”
