Four Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCU) music programs are getting a major boost with a new grant competition presented by McDonald’s. Hosted by gospel hip-hop artist Sir The Baptist, the first-ever HBCU Exhibition is offering up a $75K grant for the school with the best choir or band. The remaining schools will each take home a $10K prize.
“We’re celebrating Black education, arts, and excellence,” said Sir The Baptist, a Grammy and BET Award-nominated, DOVE and Stellar Award-winning writer, producer, and artist.
Sir The Baptist has traveled the country to connect with, film, and help inspire this year’s inaugural class featuring Alabama A&M University, Jackson State University, Mississippi Valley University, and Shaw University. Each school performed its own rendition of a historical gospel hymn, such as “Wade In The Water,” “Motherless Child,” and “Go Tell It On The Mountain.”
The HBCU Exhibition is part of the 16th annual McDonald’s Inspiration Celebration® Gospel Tour: Homecoming Edition. In addition to taking home the top prize, the winning school will also receive a featured performance in the Gospel Tour’s holiday show on December 2 in Houston, Texas.
The winning school will be selected through a combination of a public voting round and a panel of celebrity judges, including Donald Lawrence, Kierra Sheard-Kelly, NotKarltonBanks, Samoht, and Smokie Norful.
