Artist Keith Duncan displaying his HBCU art inside the College Football HOF (Photo: CBS Atlanta)
ATLANTA, GA — The sound of an HBCU marching band is one of college football's great pleasures: the drum line rolling in from the tunnel, the horns cutting through a packed stadium, the crowd up and moving before the first snap. Now the College Football Hall of Fame is bringing that energy indoors with its first-ever HBCU Family Day, a celebration of history, culture, and tradition for fans of every age on November 21.
The inaugural event at the Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame, 250 Marietta St. N.W., pairs live performances and interactive experiences with a closer look at Keith Duncan: Battle of the Bands, an art exhibition devoted to the marching bands that define Black college football. Built around the idea that a visit to the Hall should feel like game day, HBCU Family Day brings those performances and experiences together before inviting visitors to walk through the Duncan exhibition, surrounded by the sounds and traditions of HBCU football.
"It's mainly about Black pride, Black excellence, and Black tradition. I had to include Morehouse because they have a huge alumni," artist Keith Duncan told reporters.
The Ogden Museum of Southern Art in New Orleans organized the exhibition, Keith Duncan: Battle of the Bands, The HBCU Marching Bands Series, and Bradley Sumrall curated it. It has traveled to the Biggs Museum in Dover, Delaware, before arriving in Atlanta, and it opened in time for the MEAC/SWAC Challenge Kickoff, which marks the start of the HBCU football season. The Art Bridges Foundation supports the exhibition, and Southern Company sponsors the Atlanta presentation in partnership with Mabra Law.The exhibition is on view through May 2027 and is included with Hall admission.
The Hall is open Wednesday through Monday, from 10AM to 5PM. For football fans, HBCU Family Day is a chance to celebrate the part of the sport that the scoreboard never captures. For families, it is a way to introduce kids to the music, history, and pageantry that have made HBCU football a national tradition. Before you go, check the Hall's website for the latest event details and ticket information.
