Learn how we’re honoring Hampton University’s legacy through an at-home celebration and partnering with The Home Depot’s Retool Your School program to support HBCUs, build community, and empower future generations.
This year, Homecoming looks a little different for us. My husband is celebrating his 15th Hampton University Homecoming, and although I’m not able to attend in person with him to celebrate, I wanted to bring the energy and spirit of Homecoming into our home. For him, Homecoming is more than just a time to watch the big game; it’s a celebration of community, culture, and a legacy that continues to shape his life.
My husband’s Hampton experience goes beyond the classroom—he was in the marching band, playing his heart out at games, halftime shows, and pep rallies. Being part of that band wasn’t just about playing music; it was about being part of a brotherhood, building lifelong friendships, and creating bonds that stand the test of time. The memories he made during those years are still alive today, and the pride he feels in being part of the HBCU community is something I see every time we talk about his days at Hampton.
That’s why this year, I’m partnering with The Home Depot’s Retool Your School program to honor the legacy of HBCUs and support the next generation of students. The Retool Your School program, now in its 15th year, has provided over $12.1 million in grants to help HBCUs across the nation make sustainable improvements to their campuses. These grants empower schools to create spaces where students can thrive, grow, and build their own legacies. Supporting this program means more than just funding renovations; it’s about ensuring that HBCUs continue to offer the same vibrant, nurturing environments that helped shape people like my husband into the leaders they are today.
Partnering with The Home Depot and the Retool Your School program feels personal for me. While I didn’t attend an HBCU myself, I’m deeply connected to the community through my husband and the countless stories he shares about the traditions, the culture, and the sense of belonging he felt at Hampton. I’ve seen how impactful those experiences were for him, and I want to do my part in helping to preserve and grow these spaces for future generations. That’s what this partnership is all about: honoring the past while investing in the future. I often reminisce on my time in college when my friends and I would drive up to FAMU homecoming to get a taste an HBCU homecoming. Those weekends will be etched in my memory forever.
It’s also important for us to build this legacy for our own family. We have two toddler boys, and while they’re still little, we’re already thinking about the type of educational environments that will shape them. We want them to know the history, pride, and impact of HBCUs, and we want to empower them to choose an HBCU if that’s the experience that aligns most with their desires and goals. We want them to see firsthand the impact that a strong community and supportive environment can have on a person’s development.
Through this campaign, we’re celebrating more than just Hampton’s Homecoming; we’re celebrating the legacy that HBCUs build, the communities they create, and the generations they continue to impact. I’m proud to be partnering with The Home Depot to support the Retool Your School program and ensure that this legacy continues to grow and inspire for many years to come. Because building a lasting impact starts with investing in the places that built us.
So, here’s to the future leaders, educators, and change makers—may their HBCU legacies be as impactful and meaningful as those that came before them.
Thank you to Home Depot for sponsoring this post.
