News

Alfred Street Baptist Church’s Annual HBCU Festival Goes Virtual, College Applicants Sought

By James Cullum

The largest festival for historically black colleges and universities in the country is going virtual, and all application fees have been waived for this year’s annual event.

The Alfred Street Baptist Church HBCU Festival has been held annually since 2003, and the church is calling for high school students and parents to register. The festival is on Saturday, Feb. 20, from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Only about 150 people attended the first festival, despite a massive snowstorm. Last year, more than 70 HBCUs were in attendance, and the event cost $5 per person and was held before the pandemic at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center at National Harbor, Maryland.

“Over 70 HBCUs will offer onsite admission, choral & instrumental auditions, waived application fees, virtual workshops & much more,” the church said on Facebook.

Photo via Facebook

About the Author

  • Reporter James Cullum has spent nearly 20 years covering Northern Virginia. He began working with ALXnow in 2020, and has covered every story under the sun for the publication, from investigative stories to features and photo galleries. His work includes coverage of national and international situations, as well as from the White House, Capitol, Pentagon, Supreme Court and State Department. He's covered protests and riots throughout the U.S. (including the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol), in addition to earthquake-ridden Haiti, Western Sahara in North Africa and war-torn South Sudan. He has photographed presidents and other world leaders, celebrities and famous musicians, and excels under pressure.