The Portland Trail Blazers and Alaska Airlines are teaming up for the third annual HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) to the Pros weekend later this month, an expansive weekend of community engagement and performances showcasing the HBCU experience across Portland. For the first time, the weekend will feature marching bands from two Universities. Members of the Southern University (Baton Rouge, Louisiana) Human Jukebox Marching Band, along with members of the Prairie View A&M (Prairie View, Texas) Marching Storm Band, will fly to Portland, courtesy of Portland’s #1 airline Alaska Airlines, for a weekend celebrating the HBCU experience and HBCU / D9 alumni. The highlight of the weekend will be a special halftime performance during the Trail Blazers matchup against the Denver Nuggets on February 20.
The weekend celebration will kick off on Thursday, February 19, with a free community event at Portland Community College Cascade Gym (600 N Killingsworth St., Portland OR, 97217) beginning at 4:30 p.m. The event will be free and open to the public, and feature performances from local dance and music groups, tabling from various groups including D9 alumni and both universities, and the first performances of the weekend from the Marching Storm Band and Human Jukebox Marching Band in Portland. Prior to the game on Friday evening, both organizations will host a private HBCU Legacy Mixer for local high school students featuring a college and career exploration event focused on creating and living your legacy, with current professionals who are HBCU alumni and members of fraternities and sororities of the Divine 9 at Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
Fans will have multiple opportunities to enjoy the unforgettable experience of both bands throughout the game night. Prior to tip, catch the bands participating in the Pregame Parade presented by Polar Beverages throughout the 100 and 300 Level concourses. At halftime, stay in your seats for a showstopping halftime performance with the bands taking over the Moda Center court with a legendary HBCU marching band performance that is sure to make you get up and dance. In addition to the band, the BlazerDancers will be joined by special guests from Southern’s Fabulous Dancing Dolls and PVAMU’s Black Foxes for a performance out on the court during a break in the game action.
In addition to numerous performances, the HBCU experience will be felt throughout Moda Center on February 20. DJ Drae Slapz, an international DJ and artist and member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., returns to Moda Center to mix tunes, providing the vibes as fans venture through the concourse. The Moda Center 100 Level concourse will feature posters highlighting HBCU alumni and D9 members who have made a significant cultural impact. Local Portland NPHC Alumni Chapter and HBCU Alumni will be highlighted throughout the night with special video tributes.
On Saturday, February 21, the weekend will close out with performances by both bands as part of Self Enhancement Inc.’s Culture + Commerce Market event. The event, hosted at the Tony Hopson, Sr. Center for Self Enhancement (3920 N Kerby Ave, Portland, OR 97227), is a Black History Month celebration that brings together culture, commerce, and community in a powerful way. The goal of the event is to curate an immersive cultural experience that uplifts Black brilliance while supporting Black-owned businesses. The event will also feature Alaska Airlines flight simulators, tabling from both Universities, and the NBA Foundation. Swing by for an interactive afternoon with the Portland Black community and a final send-off for the Human Jukebox Marching Band and Marching Storm Band.
“We are humbled by the generosity of all involved who have helped make this historic trip possible for Prairie View A&M University and the Marching Storm. We are excited to bring one of the most enjoyable Storms you will ever see for your Entertainment,” said Dr. Timmey Zachery, Director of Bands, Prairie View A&M University.
“We can’t wait to bring the Southern University Human Jukebox, Often Imitated But Never Duplicated, Marching Band to the great city of Portland – bringing the flavor of the Louisiana to the Pacific Northwest,” said Dr. Kedric Taylor, Director of Bands, Southern University and A&M College.
HBCU to the Pros gets better every year and it’s become something transformative for Portland, said Donald McKenzie, Florida A&M University Graduate and Active Member of The Portland (OR) Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. “As a proud HBCU alum and member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., I see how deeply our youth need to witness authentic Black excellence up close. From highlighting local and transplant HBCU alumni to the bands coming to Rip City, this celebration carries history and leaves our city inspired.”
“HBCU to the Pros weekend is back for a third consecutive year, and we’re really excited to expand the weekend this year with not one, but two incredible bands, said Michelle Jalali, Senior Director of Strategic Impact Initiatives & DEI, Portland Trail Blazers. “Our partnership with Alaska Airlines on this impactful weekend is one of the most inspiring moments of the year, and we look forward to bringing the culture, traditions, music and showstopping performances of the Marching Storm Band and Human Jukebox Marching Band to the Portland community.
“We have been Portland’s #1 airline for decades, and last year added 13% more flights from PDX to get our guests to their favorite destinations nonstop. This is in addition to our continued partnerships with local businesses and the Portland community,” said Megan Ouellette, Vice President, Public and Government Affairs at Alaska Airlines. “We are thrilled to team up with the Trail Blazers on this inspiring event for the third consecutive year, providing students with the opportunity to experience two HBCUs.”
In alignment with the NBA, the Trail Blazers prioritize highlighting the traditions and impact of HBCUs and the contributions of Black leaders who belong to historically Black fraternities and sororities and alumni of Historically Black Colleges and Universities. HBCUs have served as cultural and intellectual hubs, fostering a sense of identity, pride, and leadership development. They have contributed significantly to Black culture, literature, arts, and sciences and we are excited to showcase those contributions to Rip City throughout the weekend. As the NBA team the farthest from an HBCU, bringing the HBCU experience to Portland invites the local community, specifically Black youth, to get a taste of the rich history, traditions, and culture that HBCU’s embody.
HBCUs play an important role in Alaska’s commitment to the communities it serves. Driven by the belief that education can transform the lives of young people Alaska supports programs like United Negro College Fund (UNCF), the nation’s largest and most effective minority education organization. To date, the airline has partnered with UNCF to launch a special aircraft livery symbolizing a joint commitment to creating opportunities in education, and established UNCF as an Atmos Giving partner, enabling Atmos Rewards members to donate their points to students flying out for college tours or flying home to be with their families on summer and holiday breaks. As part of the aircraft’s mission, Alaska has also supported several college tours and career and leadership development events.
