Welcome to Sai’s Summer Cookout, led by Marsai Martin! The first cookout was held in 2023, and it was a huge success. Continuing this momentum, the 2024 event took place on August 24 at Washington, DC’s Brentwood Hamilton Park.
Welcome to Sai’s Summer Cookout, led by Marsai Martin! The first cookout was held in 2023, and it was a huge success. Continuing this momentum, the 2024 event took place on August 24 at Washington, DC’s Brentwood Hamilton Park. The Sai Summer Cookout is a dynamic, inclusive event that aims to commemorate and inspire students from historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Picture it as a large get-together for millennials and Gen Z. There was a mix of well-known faces, local vendors, brand sponsored activities, and community-oriented creative experiences.
The main purpose of the Sai Summer Cookout is to establish a common area where HBCU students and alumni from all schools can interact beyond the confines of regular school functions. HBCUs have historically held homecoming celebrations as a way to reunite current students with former classmates. The Sai Summer Cookout ,however, expanded this concept by providing a communal feast that encourage a stronger feeling of community among all HBCUs. This event also provided a space for students from different institutions to network.
With a wide roster of sponsors and marketing activations, the event featured well-known brands including Shea Moisture, Pretty Little Thing, Walmart and many more. They provided everything from fashion and beauty to lifestyle and entertainment, which added an extra layer to the wide array of experiences. During the 2024 cookout, attendees enjoyed performances by popular artists like Smino, DC’s very own DJ Quicksilva, Dylan Ali, and Black Party.
In addition to sponsors, Refinery29 and Unbothered contributed to the event’s coverage and community involvement, demonstrating the strong representation of media and cultural engagement. The wide range of collaborators and attendees showcased the Sai Summer Cookout’s dedication to establishing a diverse and inclusive event for the HBCU community.
In conclusion, the Sai Summer Cookout provided a special space for HBCU students and alumni to mingle, enjoy themselves, and grow together. It was a monumental monumental moment to witness!
The DC Derby event hosted by The Wave USA was a vibrant celebration of creativity, camaraderie, and community spirit. Participants from all walks of life came together to race in a unique twist on the traditional Kentucky Derby.
A Black woman’s relationship with her hair is like that of two siblings who share a close bond. They may have disagreements at times, but their love for each other is undeniable.
Veteran’s Day is one of the most significant holidays is our society. This holiday gives us the opportunity to honor the brave men and women who have put their lives on the line for the nation. Since 1938, This day has been commemorated on November 11. The observance day was originally referred to as Armistice Day. Around 1954, the name of this holiday was changed to Veterans to highlight those who served in all U.S. wars.
This year in Washington D.C., we had the chance to attend one of the most memorable ceremonies in honor of our veterans. The American Veterans Center Annual Gala, American Valor: A Salute to Our Heroes was hosted the Omni Shoreham Hotel. The rooms were filled with joy and gratitude from guests and family members. Notable attendees included David Boreanaz, Yvette Nicole Brown, Glenn Powell, and Maggie Sajak. The evening was hosted by the talented Emmy Award Winning nominated actor and veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps. Rob Riggle, who kept a lively atmosphere the whole night. The attendees saw several shows hosted by service academy students from West Point, Naval Academy, and Air Force Academy. The shows included band performances, singing and short movies. During the interim, the guests enjoyed a dinner during which they had the opportunity to socialize and get to know those monumental figures. After the dinner, the honorees were highlighted by Rob Riggle. 
As he highlighted our heroes, you could see the pride on everyone’s face, whether they had a personal relationship with the honorees or not. To conclude the event, the attendees took it to the dance floor. The attendees sang and danced the night, while some enjoyed cocktails and conversations. The American Veterans Center Annual Gala, American Valor: A Salute to Our Heroes was a night to remember.
Honorees Include:
- Lt. Col. James H. Harvey, III, Tuskegee Airman, and winner of the first ‘Top Gun’-style competition in 1949, the first African American jet pilot to fly combat missions, with special guest Lt. Col. George Hardy, one of two living Tuskegee Airmen combat pilots of WWII.
- The U.S. 8th Air Force: ‘Masters of the Air,’ surviving heroes of the Allied Air Forces who owned the skies over Hitler’s Fortress Europe, subject of the forthcoming Apple TV+ series from Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg.
- The Chosin Few, veterans of the harrowing Battle of Chosin Reservoir – the most epic battle of the Korean War
- ‘The Women who Brought Them Home’ – wives of the Vietnam POWs who fought to raise awareness to their plight, leading to their release 50 years ago, and permanently changing Pentagon policy toward POWs and MIA. With special guests, their POW husbands.
- The Real ‘Moonlight Graham,’ Roy Gleason – The only man in history to have a perfect MLB batting average, a World Series Championship ring, and a Purple Heart
- Nearly three dozen surviving heroes of World War II, with a special musical performance from the Air Force Band’s ‘Airmen of Note’ and 100 members of the Naval Academy Glee Club.
Howard University, also known as the Mecca, has helped to create black history in the Washington D.C. area and the nation.
Howard University’s Homecoming evokes more than collegiate nostalgia; it is an annual celebration of black culture, talent, and history. This year’s homecoming was even more memorable as we celebrated 50 years of hip-hop culture. Since 1991, the institution has been critical in elevating and embracing hip hop through the Cultural Initiative’s Hip Hop Conference. The first conference highlighted the evolution of the art form.
This year, Howard University hosted the second annual Bison Honors Awards Dinner and Royal Blue Gala. Noteworthy alums, current students, and young professionals got to network and learn about the importance of hip-hop in the Black community. The purpose of this event was to celebrate the legacy, leadership, and history of the Mecca. During the Bison Honors Awards Diner and Royal Blue Gala, the audience took part in educational sessions hosted by prominent Howard University alumni and several guests. The second panel celebrated the 50th year of hip hop by engaging in discussions hosted by music producer Ron “Amen Ra” Lawrence, entertainment attorney Dedra Tate, Shabazz Fuller, and many other notable individuals. To close out the ceremony, Howard University presented the Bison Honors Living Legend Award to Professor Vera Katz, Emerita, for her 32-year career as a professor in the university’s Art Department. Her notable students include Debbie Allen, Anthony Anderson, Chadwick Boseman, and more.
The second annual Bison Honors Awards Diner and Royal Blue Gala was a great way for the Howard community to congregate and celebrate the history of this institution.
The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture helped us celebrate 50 amazing years of hip hop this summer! Hip hop has been a monumental element in the American culture since the 1970’s. Started in Bronx, New York, this music genre has impacted many individuals, from political to educational and social purposes; one can attest that hip hop is a way to connect with one another. Like any other style of music, hip hop has its own category. But what makes Hip hop special you may ask? Hip hop has been a way for people to express themselves unapologetically. Many hip hop artists have used their craft to promote creativity, unity, and social justice. Undoubtedly, hip hop has changed the world. It has given the marginalized and oppressed a way of raising awareness around several topics.
Located in the heart of Washington D.C., National Museum of African American History and Culture has informed many about the challenges that African Americans and people of African descent overcame over the years. However, the museum teaches us that there’s more to the history of African Americans than challenges. Their rich culture is worth celebrating. Bringing 50 years of hip hop at National Museum of African American History and Culture was a special experience because it gave many the opportunity to learn about the culture and music genre. In addition, there was more than music performances. Attendees enjoyed live painting sessions, spoken words and so on. People from all over came to see legendary artists such as Queen Latifah and Remy Ma unwind and celebrate this iconic moment in history. As the summer is ending, there is no better way to bring everyone together and highlight the advancement of history and hip hop!
This year we are celebrating hip-hop’s 50th anniversary!! We are celebrating half a decade of excellence and creativity. We cannot acknowledge this significant celebration without discussing how influential hip-hop has been over the years. What is American culture without hip-hop? Hip-hop is more than just a music genre. Hip-hop is a culture within itself. No matter where you are in the country or world, you have been exposed to hip-hop at least once in your lifetime. BET Awards 2023 reminded us of how hip-hop changed the world.
This year we are celebrating hip-hop’s 50th anniversary!! We are celebrating half a decade of excellence and creativity. We cannot acknowledge this significant celebration without discussing how influential hip-hop has been over the years. What is American culture without hip-hop? Hip-hop is more than just a music genre. Hip-hop is a culture within itself. No matter where you are in the country or world, you have been exposed to hip-hop at least once in your lifetime. BET Awards 2023 reminded us of how hip-hop changed the world.Hip hop first originated in South Bronx in the 1970s. It all started with black Americans who used this genre as a way to express their creativity. Teenagers, children, and adults would gather and listen to one another tell their stories through lyricism. Hip-hop continued to develop and spread widely in all parts of the United States. Musicians such as Tupac, J-Cole, Common, and many more have used hip-hop as a platform to spread awareness about racial injustice and police brutality. We see elements of hip-hop even in the fashion world in runways, commercials, and so forth. Hip-hop has always been a way to bring people together during good and challenging times.
In Washington D.C., BET helped us celebrate by hosting the Culture’s Biggest Brunch. If you are familiar with the social life in the DMV area, then you know brunch and day parties are the best way to unwind. Especially in the Summer. TheCulture’s Biggest Brunch was hosted at The Park at 14th. We witnessed an atmosphere like no other. As we reflected on the impact that this influential music brought on our culture.
How many of us have heard of Juneteenth, or celebrated it until the past 5 to 10 years? Juneteenth is significant holiday for individuals of African decent or Black American.
Looking for something new to do in the D.C area? Look no further because The Navy Yard area just got more and more exciting!
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