HBCU Marching Band from Hampton Unviersity to Be Featured in Macy's Thanksgiving Parade!
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Posted By: Will Moss on November 23, 2021 Pepsi Stronger Together Helps Bring Hampton University’s Celebrated Marching Band to Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade for the First Time PepsiCo’s community-led initiative provided $100,000 to support the university in its once-in-a-lifetime performance; DJ Envy greeted the band upon arrival in NYC WHAT Pepsi Stronger Together – the Brand’s series of grassroots initiatives bringing tailored programming support to communities across the country – is helping to bring Hampton University’s award-winning band, The Marching Force, to NYC to perform in the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, after the band was selected for the first time in the university’s history. Through a $100,000 donation, Pepsi Stronger Together is providing transportation to and from NYC and practice uniforms for the band. See here for photo content of the band’s Pepsi Stronger Together bus arriving in NYC from Hampton today, where band members were welcomed by DJ Envy –The Breakfast Club host, native New Yorker, and Hampton University Alum – ahead of their practice in Central Park tomorrow and performance in this Thursday’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. "I'm so excited Pepsi Stronger Together was able to help make this journey happen for the incredibly talented Hampton Marching Force as they head to perform at this iconic stage," said Derek Lewis, President, South Division, PepsiCo Beverages North America (PBNA). "From our 'She Got Now' internship program to other HBCU-specific donations, and as a Hampton alum myself, I'm so proud to see another piece of PepsiCo's commitment to supporting HBCUs come to life." “The goal of our band is to help put students in a better position in life through skills that they gain beyond music,” said Dr. Thomas L. Jones, Jr., Hampton University’s Director of Bands. “Thanks to Pepsi Stronger Together, we’re able to give these students an incredible once-in-a-lifetime experience on a huge national stage.” The donation is the latest step in PepsiCo’s commitment to partnering with HBCUs and fostering Black talent, which includes the recent launch of the annual "She Got Now" Allen McKellar Jr. Internship Program for HBCU female students. This all ladders up to the brand’s larger Racial Equality Journey, which in 2020 saw the company announce commitments of more than $570 million over the next five years to elevate diverse voices within the company, supply chain partners, and communities, while helping to address issues of inequality and create opportunity. WHEN November 22, 2021 NOTABLE ATTENDEES • DJ Envy, The Breakfast Club host • Dr. Thomas L. Jones, Jr., Hampton University’s Director of Bands About Pepsi Stronger Together Pepsi Stronger Together is a national initiative to empower and engage communities around the country by providing tailored programming and resources that bring people together. It was conceived with the idea that now, more than ever, we must foster a sense of connection and belonging, starting by investing locally. Launched in May of 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic - engaging its network of partners in the South to shine a spotlight on essential front-line workers in a variety of industries - Pepsi Stronger Together was expanded in October of 2020 by partnering with NBA teams and charitable organizations to foster, among other things, community and police relations. Guiding PepsiCo is our vision to Be the Global Leader in Convenient Foods and Beverages by Winning with Purpose. Under this vision, Pepsi Stronger Together is continually evolving the program to respond to the cultural moment and meet the needs of communities across the United States. Stay up to date at pepsistrongertogether.com, where visitors can engage in conversation and learn about the latest community initiatives and how to give back. Follow the conversation on social media at @pepsistrongertogether. MEDIA CONTACTS Katherine Hartley, katherine.hartley@theacceleration.com If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email! |
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Will Moss
Founder & CEO, HBCU CONNECT, LLC Hampton University class of 1995 Member Since June 1999 |
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