US Open Celebrates the Culture, History, and Pride of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)

Returning for its fifth year at the 2025 US Open, HBCU Live celebrated the culture, legacy, and pride of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU). This year's event held special significance, aligning with the US Open theme of the 75th anniversary of Althea Gibson breaking the color barrier in tennis. Gibson, an alumna of Florida A&M University (an HBCU), achieved a milestone that transformed the sport and opened doors for countless athletes who followed.

A general view of HBCU Live! signage at the 2025 US Open. Photo credit: David Nemec/USTA.

The HBCU Yard Experience returned Wednesday to Fountain Plaza, and featured music, food and a fun, celebratory atmosphere that captured the spirit of the “yard” experience. The event included a performance by Florida A&M University’s “Marching 100”, featuring Oluwamodupe “Dupe” Oloyede, the university’s first female Head Drum Major, and music provided by Florida A&M University alumni DJs: DJ R-Tstic, DJ Nyla, DJ Bo Weezy, DJ Toure, and A Fly Guy.

The US Open also hosted its annual Equity Talk, which this year was titled Althea’s Legacy: Celebrating a New Era in Black Tennis. The discussion was moderated by Emmy Award-winning sports analyst and reporter Monica McNutt, while panelists included tennis trailblazer Leslie Allen, actor Boris Kodjoe, notable tennis coach Kamau Murray, and 2017 US Open women's singles champion Sloane Stephens.

Florida A&M University Cheerleading team perform during HBCU Live! at the 2025 US Open. Photo credit: David Nemec/USTA.

Additionally, the USTA announced that applications for its recently expanded Althea Gibson HBCU Scholarship Program will open on Friday, September 26, 2025. Together with the HBCU Week Foundation, the USTA will award an additional $20,000 in college scholarships to two students ($10,000 each) who are currently enrolled in or will be enrolled in a HBCU, with recipients to be selected in early 2026.

HBCU Live is part of the USTA’s “Be Open” social responsibility campaign, which leverages the global stage of the US Open to promote and celebrate important messages of progress, positivity, equality, and inclusion on and off the tennis court.

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Courtesy of US Open. Top photo: Mattia Bellucci, Oluwamodupe "Dupe" Oloyedge, Marva Johnson, and Carlos Alcaraz pose at the net after the coin toss before their men's singles match at the 2025 US Open. credit: Simon Bruty/USTA.