Local events celebrate historic weekend in South Bend

 

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- The excitement surrounding Notre Dame’s historical match-up extends way further than just the football field.

Numerous local events taking place this weekend are exposing what a HBCU is to South Bend’s youth and showing them opportunities they might not have known were out there!

“It’s such an energy that hasn’t been here before,” says Sarah Taylor, Social Action Chair for the South Bend National Pan-Hellenic Council Chapter.

No energy can match how the people of South Bend are celebrating history being made this weekend.

“We’re very excited to be able welcome a Historically Black College or University to South Bend, and really show them what we do here in the Hoosier state,” Latorya Greene says, President of the South Bend Chapter of Indiana Black Expo.

Local organizations are running with it; they are taking this opportunity to introduce the culture of HBCU’s to South Bend, like at Beyond the Yard Friday night, an event dedicated to giving back to the community while celebrating black culture.

“For us, this is part of our history,” explains Edward Thomas, Vice-President of the South Bend NPHC Chapter. “Most of us were founded on Historically Black Colleges or Universities, and to have that experience and energy here in South Bend for the weekend is phenomenal.”

It wasn’t limited to just south bend residents!

“If I had to crawl, I was going to be at this historical moment,” says Zina Brown, a Michiana native.

People like Brown, making the trip from thousands of miles away to take part in the historic celebration.

For her it’s even more special; a graduate of Tennessee State, born and raised in Michiana, and came all the way up from Atlanta to take part in the exciting weekend.

“People in our city get to see about my school that they might not even hear about up here because everything is so ND,” Brown says.

It’s a weekend that’s more than just about football.

“Everything that brings us together to do a greater good for the community is what this whole weekend is about,” says Taylor.

“There’s something for everyone,” Greene says. “For families, for adults, just an opportunity to learn more.”