Returning for its fifth year at the 2025 US Open, HBCU Live celebrated the culture, legacy and pride of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). This year’s event held special significance, aligning with the US Open theme of the 75th anniversary of Althea Gibson breaking the color barrier in tennis. Gibson, an alumna of Florida A&M University (an HBCU), achieved a milestone that transformed the sport and opened doors for countless athletes who followed.
The HBCU Yard Experience returned Wednesday to Fountain Plaza, and featured music, food and a fun, celebratory atmosphere that captured the spirit of the “yard” experience. The event included a performance by Florida A&M University’s “Marching 100”, featuring Oluwamodupe “Dupe” Oloyede, the university’s first female Head Drum Major, and music provided by Florida A&M University alumni DJs: DJ R-Tstic, DJ Nyla, DJ Bo Weezy, DJ Toure and A Fly Guy.
The US Open also hosted its annual Equity Talk, which this year was titled Althea’s Legacy: Celebrating a New Era in Black Tennis. The discussion was moderated by Emmy Award-winning sports analyst and reporter Monica McNutt, while panelists included tennis trailblazer Leslie Allen, actor Boris Kodjoe, notable tennis coach Kamau Murray and 2017 US Open women’s singles champion Sloane Stephens.
Additionally, the USTA announced that applications for its recently expanded Althea Gibson HBCU Scholarship Program will open on Friday, September 26, 2025. Together with the HBCU Week Foundation, the USTA will award an additional $20,000 in college scholarships to two students ($10,000 each) who are currently enrolled in or will be enrolled in a HBCU, with recipients to be selected in early 2026.
HBCU Live is part of the USTA’s “Be Open” social responsibility campaign, which leverages the global stage of the US Open to promote and celebrate important messages of progress, positivity, equality and inclusion on and off the tennis court.
