TSU Homecoming and Weekend Fashion!

Tennessee State University, an HBCU in Nashville, Tennessee had its homecoming week this Oct.12, and with it came a multitude of fashions.

Robert F. Smith, a philanthropist who also attended an HBCU, “Homecomings at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are annual week-long celebrations of pure Black pride and joy. The purpose of these homecoming celebrations is to offer alumni, current students, and the surrounding community a chance to connect over good food and entertainment.”

Tennessee State University, also known as TSU, had multiple different fashion trends for each fraternity and sorority as well as the community. The differentiation between the two can be seen from the stylized color swatches that are specific to each organization. When asking Tennesean Josiah Kinslow, who was attending, about the fashion he stated, “ If they are dressed up, you’ll see suits and ties and family members in regular clothes. If you’re in a frat or a so

ror, they'll usually be wearing their colors. The Que dogs [Omega Psi Phi] with the purple and gold, the Alphas with the black and gold, the Poodles [Alpha Kappa Alpha] with the pink and green, and the Deltas with the red and creme.”

While walking through the event you are greeted with a citywide street shutdown that is accompanied by police vehicles redirecting traffic. This HBCU event is more than just a simple university get-together. Inside the block party families and organizations alike are tailgating, playing music, and watching the football games in their respective areas. During the homecoming, there are mixers happening to forge better bonds. Kinslow also stated, “I usually just hang out with my family. We barbecue, eat, watch the game, and if I walk around I always go to the stall just to see what they’re selling. I usually just enjoy the atmosphere and being around my fellow people.” 

When speaking to college students who attended the event about what they felt about how the people coming in were dressing the answer was similar. Another Tennessean named Roshaun Flemming stated, “Every year it’s this fashion show that people are competing in but it’s not real. Everyone comes dressed down, even me, and it’s all just to make sure you’re showing out without showing out if that makes sense…every TSU event is a red carpet you just have to know to have that shit on.” TSU was one of many HBCUs that had recent commentary on fashion this year.  “I would say that everyone is in casual hip-hop-influenced streetwear. The women were very promiscuous and flaunting their other things. The guys were imitating what they think is cool on Instagram so they had shiesty [risky] masks and sagging plants. The exact opposite of what you’d think a college event would have but at the same time, it is a time where you’re allowed to have fun and express yourself.”

Creating an environment where everyone is allowed to act and dress as themselves without the need to watch how they are is rare, so when Homecoming Week is upon TSU, everyone takes time out of their week to dip their toes in the joyful noise of African American celebration.