# Chicago Football Classic Press Conference 7.21.26

- Date: July 21, 2026
- Type: Video
- Length: 47:25
- Topic: Press conferences
- Video: [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkSn0aOe6pM)
- Transcript: Machine transcription, 5,326 words ([text](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/transcripts/youtube/wkSn0aOe6pM.txt))
- Mayor: [Brandon Johnson](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor)

## Description

Mayor Brandon Johnson attends the Chicago Football Classic Press Conference.

## Transcript

[9:17](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wkSn0aOe6pM?t=557) Good afternoon everybody. It is a beautiful day and we're going to move it right along. My name is Carolyn Palmer and I will be your mistress of ceremonies for this afternoon. I'd like to start by bringing to you our Reverend Leslie Sanders. Reverend Sandals? Sanders? Right here. I knew you were here. Good afternoon. Let us pray. Gracious and almighty God, we thank you for this day and for the privilege of gathering to announce the 29th annual football classic.

[9:54](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wkSn0aOe6pM?t=594) Thank you for the vision, dedication and partnerships that have made this event a cherished tradition in the city of Chicago. We ask your blessing upon this press conference. Upon every gathered one gathered here today, our city leaders, elected officials, organizers, sponsors, media partners, coaches, student athletes, alumni, volunteers, and community supporters, grant us the unity of purpose, wisdom in our words, and excellence in all that we do.

[10:30](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wkSn0aOe6pM?t=630) As we look ahead to this year's classic, may it be more than a football game. May it celebrate the rich tradition of HBCUs and open opportunities for students, strengthen our community, and inspire the next generation to pursue education, leadership, and service. We pray for the safe and preparations in the weeks ahead for a successful event and for every life that will be touched by this year's Chicago Football Classic.

[11:01](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wkSn0aOe6pM?t=661) May all that is announced today be in the honor of this great city and hope to those who serve. In his name we pray. Amen. As always, I'd like to bring to you at this time, Alderman Lamont Robinson. Thank you so very much. Good afternoon, Chicago. It is an honor to join Mayor Brandon Johnson, my colleagues, Alderwoman Michelle Harris, Alderman Ronnie Mosley, Larry Huggins, the Rand family, community leaders, partners, sponsors,

[11:56](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wkSn0aOe6pM?t=716) and everyone gathered here today as we officially kick off the countdown to one of Chicago's most celebrated traditions, the Chicago football classic. This historic event is a celebration of family, culture, education, excellence, and a rich legacy of our nation's historically black colleges and universities.

[12:30](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wkSn0aOe6pM?t=750) Every year, the Chicago Football Classic brings people together from every neighborhood, every generation, and every walk of life. As an alum of Clark Atlanta University, I can say that here alumni reconnect, families create new memories, and young people experience the pride and traditions of our HBCUs.

[13:04](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wkSn0aOe6pM?t=784) We are also thrilled that our local businesses benefit from visiting Chicago, and our city shines on the national stage. I have to put out a selfish plug for you all to visit not only Jai Grill in the Fourth Ward, but Virtue in the Fourth Ward and our Hyde Park community.

[13:35](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wkSn0aOe6pM?t=815) This year's theme is It's a Family Affair. It's so fitting whether you're titting with your children, grandparents, church family, fraternity or sorority, neighborhood organization, or lifelong friends. This event is designed to help bring community together. We are so excited that on Saturday, September 12th, Soldier Field will welcome two outstanding HBCU programs, Lincoln University to take on Mississippi Valley State University.

[14:22](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wkSn0aOe6pM?t=862) These institutions represent generations of academic excellence, leadership, athletic achievement and cultural pride. Their presence reminds us why investing. ...and HBCUs continues to matter. As a son of an educator, I am especially looking forward to this weekend's showcases of Historically Black Colleges' annual career fair.

[14:57](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wkSn0aOe6pM?t=897) This feature is so important for young people. It gives them the opportunity to visit with Historically Black Colleges and decide their future. In closing, I want to add, so that families truly understand this commitment and community, organizers have made this year's Classic even more accessible by lowering ticket prices. This means that starting at $20, families have an affordable opportunity to experience an unforgettable day here at Soldier Field.

[15:35](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wkSn0aOe6pM?t=935) I want to again thank Larry Huggins and the Rand family and the entire Chicago football classic team for their continued commitment to preserving this incredible tradition and expanding its impact throughout the city of Chicago. We appreciate the sponsors, Midway Wholesalers and Rightway Huggins Construction, whose partnerships make this event possible and demonstrates the importance of investing in our communities.

[16:09](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wkSn0aOe6pM?t=969) As Alderman of the Fourth Ward, I could not be prouder to encourage every Chicagoan to bring your family, friends, church groups, block clubs, and your community organizations to this incredible celebration. Let's fill Soldier Field with pride, tradition, and unmatched HBCU excellence. Thank you and may God bless you. And I'm looking forward to seeing you all on September 12th. As someone that was an educator, I know that he understands the importance of a great education. I know that he understands the importance of historically black colleges. Our mayor, Mayor Brandon Johnson, let's give him a round of applause.

[17:16](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wkSn0aOe6pM?t=1036) Thank you, Alderman Robinson. Good afternoon, everyone. Okay, boy, you guys sound as tired as a football team at the end of the game. Good afternoon, everyone. Yeah, got to get hype, y'all. Thank you to Alderman Robinson for your leadership, and thank you to Alders, Mosley, and Harris for being here this afternoon. This is really yet a further example of how powerful our city is. This Classic, of course, is one that is rich in tradition.

[17:48](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wkSn0aOe6pM?t=1068) Chicago has a strong and proud and active HBCU alumni community, and that is why we are always so excited about the annual Chicago Football Classic. The Classics not only brings people together for an exciting football game and, of course, the battle of the bands, but they also uplift and empower our young people. For the 29th year, the Chicago Football Classic will encourage students and parents to raise the bar of achievement and excellence through youth initiatives like high school programming and scholarships.

[18:23](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wkSn0aOe6pM?t=1103) And more importantly, it exposes our students and parents to the rich academic history and cultural opportunities that are uniquely offered at our HBCUs. We know that HBCUs consistently produce leaders in education, business, medicine, public service, and the arts. And as Alderman Robinson indicated, as a former public school teacher here in Chicago, 50% of our black educators around the country are educated at HBCUs. They consistently pour into the next generation.

[18:54](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wkSn0aOe6pM?t=1134) But, of course, what can we say about Larry Huggins, who founded this classic in 1997, and so much so that though I played a little Division III football, you know, I was really hoping to play shortstop for the Chicago Cubs. You know, Larry Huggins also brought the baseball classic now to Chicago. So we have football and baseball classics in the city of Chicago promoting not just athleticism, but our HBCUs. Thank you, Mr. Larry Huckins, for believing in the future of this city.

[19:28](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wkSn0aOe6pM?t=1168) So finally, I want to thank the participating HBCUs, student athletes and alumni representing their schools, not just today, but throughout this entire year. entire week that we're going to celebrate. I look forward to welcoming this year's teams to Chicago for a great game, congratulating all of the athletes, the coaches, and supporters of this great classic and the hard work that these young people exhibit. And please know that Chicago will continue to support opportunities that inspire the next generation of leaders.

[20:01](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wkSn0aOe6pM?t=1201) We're going to celebrate the rich traditions of our HBCUs, And we're going to serve this moment as yet another opportunity to continue to build safe and affordable communities. Today, we just announced with all the opportunities that we are providing for young people, we are well on our way to surpass the hiring of young people for summer jobs through our Chicago Youth Works Initiative. Last summer, we hired more young people than any other administration. And this year, we're looking forward to breaking those records. The more we invest in our young people, the better, much stronger our city becomes.

[20:34](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wkSn0aOe6pM?t=1234) And so that's why, again, naming the week of September 11th, I'm sorry, September 7th, 2026, will be officially yet again HBCU week here in the great city of Chicago. So with that, congratulations, Mr. Huggins. I'm proud to present you with this proclamation again. So this is numbered 29, Larry Huggins, but congratulations. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Tim Rand, come on up. Uh-oh. Hold on a second.

[21:06](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wkSn0aOe6pM?t=1266) And I'm going to keep it closed because I'm wearing it.

[21:36](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wkSn0aOe6pM?t=1296) Come on, one more hand for our mayor. I remember when mayor was a teacher. I appreciate the love that you have for our young people. That's where my job was a little bit easier. Yeah, right. I'd like to at this time bring to you from the 8th Ward, the dynamic alderman. What's your name? Michelle Harris. Thank you.

[22:06](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wkSn0aOe6pM?t=1326) Good afternoon, everybody. I need to thank Larry and Tim and Everett Rand for starting this event some 27 years ago. And I'm one of the few aldermen that I can say has not missed one in 27 years. uh what an exciting event i can go back in time and talk about how we loaded up soldiers field and everybody from the entire city was up in this place and so today i stand here as the recipient

[22:40](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wkSn0aOe6pM?t=1360) of some of those blessings as the rands and larry huggins have decided to add more on every time they do it to empower our youth and to bring scholarships here. So it's turned into just not a blessing of seeing the sports teams and seeing them in action and the mission of what happens when you bring two great teams here, but it's become an educational event for our community, for our children. So we stand here grateful. On behalf of my president of the Chicago Automatic Black Caucus,

[23:12](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wkSn0aOe6pM?t=1392) who had a loss, she lost her father. On her behalf, Stephanie Coleman, we will be praying for you. And again, on behalf of the Aldermatic Black Caucus of the City of Chicago, we are grateful for everything that the Chicago Football Classic does to empower our city, to bring people from all over the state of Illinois to this event. And we really want to encourage everybody, get your tickets early. Get your tickets early. We want to sell this place out. So please support us.

[23:43](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wkSn0aOe6pM?t=1423) Again, we will, as always, be buying tickets for our youth. So we appreciate what this game does for not only the communities of color, but for the city of Chicago. Thank you again, Tim and Everett, Rand and Larry Huggins. Thank you for everything. Now I'd like to bring to you the people who put this together, who did the work and made everybody else work.

[24:13](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wkSn0aOe6pM?t=1453) Won't you please welcome CFO, the people who are about the founders of the Chicago Football Classics. Larry Huggins and Tim Rand. I'll say more than that, but I'll let you slide. Chicago! Are you ready for some football?

[24:44](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wkSn0aOe6pM?t=1484) But let me tell you why this game is the best thing that ever could have happened to the city of Chicago. And also why the city of Chicago is the best city in the United States of America. I got to tell you, 29 years ago when we started this game, we teamed up with CPS. And they convinced us that we should do a college fair. And, of course, 12 years ago, we also teamed up with city colleges.

[25:17](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wkSn0aOe6pM?t=1517) And because of city colleges and CPS, we can honestly say there are more kids going to historical black colleges in the United States of America from Chicago. On an average, there is always over $1 million in on-site scholarships that are given to kids that go to that college fair. And when you add the $400,000 that the football classic gives to students on a yearly basis, and over that 20-some year period, that is close to $30 million.

[25:58](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wkSn0aOe6pM?t=1558) All right? So at the end of the day, it's what we do collectively as a city that makes this great. Now, one of the things that the mayor said is that Chicago also has an HBCU baseball game. And that is the only, Chicago is the only city that does a football game and a baseball game. So just stop and think about when the baseball game starts doing an HBCU college fair,

[26:31](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wkSn0aOe6pM?t=1591) instead of $1.5 million going to HBCUs, that number would be over $2 million a year. So let's give it up for our great city. And let me close by saying this, that in 29 years, myself and Tim and Everett, it has been a joy and a pleasure for us to bring this game to the city of Chicago. But as time goes on, it's important that we kind of step aside and bring in new leadership.

[27:08](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wkSn0aOe6pM?t=1628) And this year we have brought in Jahan Goldberg, who is going to be our athletic director, and we have brought in Van Wagner, who is going to produce the game for us this year. And it's important that as community leaders, business leaders, and political leaders, that we continue to support this game for one particular main reason, and that is the impact that this game has on our kids going to historical black colleges. So let's give it up for the City of Chicago and thank all our sponsors,

[27:41](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wkSn0aOe6pM?t=1661) and I'm going to turn it over to Mr. Tim Rand. Thank you, everyone. Thank you for coming out today. As my partner Larry Huggins said, it takes the city, it takes the village. We all know that. My family is here today because it's important for them to hear, buy your tickets early. I don't want you getting left out. Buy your tickets early. I would be remiss if I didn't thank all of you for coming out in this weather.

[28:12](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wkSn0aOe6pM?t=1692) It's a little inclement for us. I would also be remiss if I didn't say, let's take a moment and just bow our head and think of the people who are suffering today. floods, smoke damage, wildfires, we need to acknowledge the fact that they're there. And it's up to us to support them in any and every way we can. So one of the things we're going to do, from the proceeds of the Chicago Football Classic,

[28:43](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wkSn0aOe6pM?t=1723) after our scholarship awards, my brother and I are committing $25,000 for a relief program to help them. I spent his money, so I think I'm done now Thank you everyone, thank you That's alright, I just want you to know

[29:14](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wkSn0aOe6pM?t=1754) that I'm representing also, not just the Chicago football class but Jackson State University Come on, give it up, give it up I'd like to bring to you now he is the executive director and now I just heard athletic director of the Chicago Football Classics. Won't you please welcome Jahan Colbert. Good afternoon, everyone. How are you doing? Kind of leaves me speechless sometimes after I follow certain folks and they've kind of said everything that needs to be said.

[29:49](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wkSn0aOe6pM?t=1789) I'm going to come back and address some things with our scholarships a little later, but right now I want to introduce to you our teams. We've got Mississippi Valley State University, Ida Baina, Mississippi from the Delta, and then we've got Lincoln University out of Pennsylvania right outside of Philadelphia. here so i'm going to bring up dr alicia shields gaston she's the director of athletics along with her football coach terrell buckley followed by lincoln university josh dean and head coach frank

[30:20](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wkSn0aOe6pM?t=1820) turner i'm gonna have my coach come on up here with me but first i want to say this is the day that the lord has made and we shall rejoice and be what glad in it so we are so glad to be here And thank you all, as it was said, that this is truly a family affair. So we got the opportunity to take a group picture, and everyone was so proud of the HBCU that they represented.

[30:56](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wkSn0aOe6pM?t=1856) So although this year it's Mississippi Valley State University and Lincoln University of Pennsylvania playing, we are here in Chicago to represent all of the HBCU. So we're asking everyone to come on out. If you are not wearing your green and white or your other colors, I'll let my other schools say their colors. We are hoping, though, that you will be representing your HBCU. We have Alabama State, and as we heard proudly, Jackson State.

[31:28](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wkSn0aOe6pM?t=1888) So I want to bring greetings on behalf of my university president, Dr. Gerald Briggs, along with our full Mississippi Valley State University family. We are thrilled to bring the Delta Devil to Chicago to showcase premier HBCU football under our Hall of Fame coach, Terrell Buckley. However, this event is more than just a game. It is a vital celebration of educational excellence, community empowerment, and most of all, HBCU heritage.

[32:00](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wkSn0aOe6pM?t=1920) The city of Chicago holds a massive, vibrant community of HBCU alumni and Mississippi Valley supporters. Bringing our proud green and white tradition to this historic city is monumental, and it is with that that we want to represent our student-athletes, our faculty and staff, as well as all of our alumni. This trip north is more than just a football game. It is an extension of Mississippi Valley State University's legacy, and when our players take the field, they carry the spirit of the Delta, the history of legends who've paved the way long before us.

[32:43](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wkSn0aOe6pM?t=1963) They also represent the excellence of academic prowess that our university so proudly represents. Our coaching staff and student athletes have put relentless work throughout the offseason, and we are fully prepared to showcase our talent on the field. We want to extend our deepest gratitude to the Chicago Classic organizers, the city leadership, and our incredible alumni chapters who have worked so tirelessly to join us for this event.

[33:15](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wkSn0aOe6pM?t=1995) To our loyal Delta Devil fans and supporters, your energy is our fuel, and we cannot see you without seeing you in the stands on this day. And to our Lincoln University opponents, we're going to just say one thing right now. We offer our condolences to your loss. I will be quick. I want to say thank you. Thank you to the Chicago City Classic for inviting us. This is a special event. I also want to say congratulations to the recipients and Coach Frank and all that.

[33:49](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wkSn0aOe6pM?t=2029) We're looking for a great game, great showing to go out and represent HBCUs in the right way. Thank you guys for everything. Okay, Lincoln University, you got a chance to get them back, okay? So I would like for you at this time, Josh Dean, he's the Lincoln University Director of Athletics, and Frank Turner, Lincoln University Head Football Coach.

[34:21](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wkSn0aOe6pM?t=2061) Good afternoon. Thank you for this great opportunity to come up here to use sport once again as not only as for entertainment, but a vehicle for success and opportunity to promote historical black colleges, as well as given opportunities for. For our young students, student-athletes, to see what other opportunities are out there. Obviously, myself, this is my first year as a director of athletics, so I definitely would give a kudos to the presentation that just was done,

[34:53](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wkSn0aOe6pM?t=2093) but I'm still an old football coach at the end of the day. So we don't do a lot of talk, and we just come up here and get the game and let this stadium echo what we're going to talk about, and that's going to be those pads. But what I will say is it's fortunate enough for me to come back here, not only because I played here as a player, I've coached here as a head coach, I've coached here as an assistant, and now I'm here as a director of athletics. And the one thing that I can say is that the city of Chicago has a culture second to none, and also it's a great opportunity to come and play this game

[35:25](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wkSn0aOe6pM?t=2125) and to get exposure to the young men and women out here so we can show that there's another opportunity for them in the form of playing at college. I come here representing the best president that I know, Dr. Brenda Allen, and representing Lincoln University, which was established in 1854, and we like to say the first degree granting, HBCU. So it's not something that we come here talking about what we don't know. We're the first. We're the originator. We started a lot of this stuff. So when we have these things, we speak of experience.

[35:58](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wkSn0aOe6pM?t=2158) When we talk about the Chicago Football Classic, it's truly more than a game. It's about the culture, and what we'll plan on put on display is the culture. We're going to come up here almost like a celebration. We plan on bringing, you know, they saw when we go to a cookout, what do you bring? We're going to bring our band. We're going to bring our fans. We're going to be our cheerleader. We're going to bring our chants. We're going to bring that football, and we're going to bring that love of HBCUs and that community. So we're excited about that opportunity. I know we've had a short time, and I want to leave, but as I introduce this young man here to my right,

[36:32](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wkSn0aOe6pM?t=2192) not only as a friend, but also a highly decorated historical black college All-American and having support and having a lot of success. And we're proud to have him as our head football coach, and we're excited to see what he's going to have and do here today. So have Frank Turner. I'm going to be short as well. You know, football coaches, we're interested to get back to the office anyway, get some more work done. But I want to thank the city of Chicago for having and putting this thing on.

[37:02](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wkSn0aOe6pM?t=2222) One thing about HBCUs and the historical black colleges is that we need support. We need scholarships. This is a great thing that you're doing here for the city of Chicago because you are helping the next mayor of Chicago get to that path. You know, you're helping the next head coach, the next alderman, you know, so forth and so forth. So you are paving the way for the next generation of HBCU grads. That's a good thing. I am proud to represent this university, the first degree granted HBCU in a nation.

[37:34](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wkSn0aOe6pM?t=2254) Say that with pride, the true orange and blue. That's the colors, the true orange and blue, not just blue, the true orange and blue. So with that being said, I'm looking forward to the game, Coach. I hadn't really formally met you before today, but I'm looking forward to having a good, good, clean game. I'm looking forward to putting on a show because this is bigger than all of us. When we talk about the city, we're talking about the exposure of what HBCU look like, all right,

[38:05](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wkSn0aOe6pM?t=2285) and making it a product where they want to be a part of that. So it's bigger than just a game, and we just want to play our part in that. Like I say, thank you. I'm looking forward to coming back. It's almost time for the grass to get cut. It's almost time to get to work. All right. All right. We're here for just not just to have fun, but we have a purpose, Jahan. I'm part of that purpose. OK, scholarships. And Mr. Huggins spoke about that earlier.

[38:39](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wkSn0aOe6pM?t=2319) This is my one of my favorite parts about the Chicago Football Classic. My background is higher education. I started as a track coach, athletic director and vice president at Central State University. And we participated in this classic many years and partnered with Chicago Classic. Because what we realize is the importance of all of our kids wherever they are. So in Chicagoland, we're able to scholarship students. We had 62 that were on scholarship this past year. So when you buy tickets, when you participate in different events, monies goes towards getting these students into college.

[39:18](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wkSn0aOe6pM?t=2358) And as Mr. Huggins mentioned, we have students that are across this nation right now that are attending historical black colleges. and we need to be able to continue that. So supporting the Chicago Football Classic is extremely important and very near and dear to my heart. So that's why I encourage you to make sure you go to Ticketmaster, make sure that you go to our website. site and purchase tickets because those dollars help us fund these students and i'd be remiss if i don't bring up um uh kamiya king so come on up she's one of our scholarship

[39:50](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wkSn0aOe6pM?t=2390) recipients and we're going to bring up uh willie hurt come on up brother so you're going to hear from them rather than listening to myself and mr huggins they're going to tell you about their experiences and everything so i turn it over to you greetings and salutations everyone i am I am Kamiya King. I am currently a rising senior at Clark Atlanta University, and I majored in Mass Media Arts with a concentration in public relations, and I am originally from Chicago. I am honored to stand before you guys today as a Chicago Football Classic Scholar.

[40:24](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wkSn0aOe6pM?t=2424) Receiving this scholarship fall of 2023 has been more than a financial support. It's the beginning of opportunities that has opened many doors for my college experience. Because of the Chicago Football Classic Scholarship, I have been able to go as a leader, pursue opportunities that both have shaped my college career and professional journey. None of my accomplishments would have been possible without you guys' investment in me. Your support opened doors for me to earn additional scholarships, including the Clark Atlanta University Chicago Alumni Scholarship and Author M. Blank UNCF Scholarship.

[40:56](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wkSn0aOe6pM?t=2456) I've also earned my Way on the Dean's List five times. Thank you. Beyond the classroom, I serve on the National Council of Negro Women, the event coordinator, and I currently serve as vice president for PRSSA, and also a writer for her campus. I am grateful to be a part of my current fellowship to help grow my career professionally and mentorship-wise. My professional experience includes internships with the Fifth World Alderman's Office here in Chicago, music and entertainment agency in Atlanta.

[41:27](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wkSn0aOe6pM?t=2487) these opportunities have strengthened my passion for public relations, communication, while giving me hands-on experience in strategic storytelling and community engagement. I chose Clark Atlanta because I wanted to attend the HBCU to inspire me and to also surround myself with people who look like me and believe in excellence. Clark Atlanta has exceeded every expectation by providing lifelong friendship, memories, and mentors. And to the woman and the professional I aspire to become. Clark Island has a very rich history from academic excellence as one of the nation's top HBCUs,

[41:59](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wkSn0aOe6pM?t=2519) has a long tradition of producing leaders, innovators, and change makers. Being a part of that legacy motivates me to pursue excellence and reminds me that I have a responsibility to be an example for those who come after me. After graduation, I plan to pursue a degree in sociology and focus on strategic storytelling. and yeah and I just want to say thank you for the opportunity you guys have blessed me with and yeah thank you good afternoon everybody as stated my name is Willie Hurt and it truly is

[42:38](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wkSn0aOe6pM?t=2558) an honor to stand before all you guys as a Chicago as a Chicago football classic scholarship recipient I'll have a little bit of a different approach growing up obviously I was raised in Chicago and the Iowa West, proud to represent. I noticed that there was a lot of kids that didn't have the same, I would say, opportunities to be able to be great, and I feel like the Chicago Football Classic was not only a financial support, but it was an investment into my future, which I feel like was very important, and it instilled a lot of confidence within me. Because of this investment, I also was able to become an alum of the illustrious

[43:12](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wkSn0aOe6pM?t=2592) number one public HBCU, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, where I was able to graduate with a bachelor of science degree in journalism thank you thank you and my experience at hbcu has been nothing but great i'm always say that i'm so grateful for hbcu because it's not about the knowledge but it's about the mannerisms and about the mindset that you need to have to be able to succeed as a black man within the workforce so i always say that i'm so grateful for my hbcu and everything that is brought for me and thank you guys again for investing in me and having

[43:44](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wkSn0aOe6pM?t=2624) faith in me and obviously it's been working out a little bit so hopefully i can continue to make you guys proud and be able to be great in the future thank you all listen i appreciate it that's what we're about in doing things you know things start what's nice is they've come back home they not only went went out got their education but they came back home and that's one thing that we want we want our kids to come back home and join the workforce um and and that just makes

[44:15](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wkSn0aOe6pM?t=2655) chicago even greater and even stronger um and as as mr huggins said we are the the largest city that that has the most historical black students um in the nation and and that's something we're very proud of um some things begin um this journey with our college fair and as you've heard we do thousands of kids that come and show up and this year we've extended it I'm going to ask Devin Rand to come on up here. We've extended it beyond historical black colleges.

[44:46](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wkSn0aOe6pM?t=2686) Good afternoon, everyone. I'm Devin Rand. Yes, as Jahan mentioned, we're really excited to announce that this year we're also bringing in some of our hometown heroes. So we're going to have some of our non-HBCU universities that are part of the Chicago landscape coming out to our college fair this year, including Loyola University. Go Ramblers! So we're really excited about the Chicago population getting the opportunity to not just see their potential afar, but to see their potential and stay home, too. So we're really excited about that. Thank you so much for this opportunity.

[45:17](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wkSn0aOe6pM?t=2717) All right. So thank you. So one more time, we need to be able to support the classic, support our kids, support Chicagoland, and let's help educate our kids for the future. Thank you. OK, now your job is to get people to buy these tickets. I know the Mississippi side is going to be just stacked. Now, Lincoln, I don't know what you're going to do, but we're going to get out of here and we're going to hustle your tickets, too, because this is Chicago, and we are one and made up of all of the HBCUs.

[45:51](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wkSn0aOe6pM?t=2751) So I encourage at this time for all the HBCUs to come out and support this game and the activities, the college fair. We've got so much going on that weekend until I know you're going to have a great time. With that, I'd like to bring you Reverend Sanders to come back and give us our benediction. Thank you again. We are grateful to Larry Huggins and the Rand brothers for all that you do in putting this classic together. Let us pray. Oh, gracious God, we thank you now for this day.

[46:24](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wkSn0aOe6pM?t=2784) We pray, God, for the success of the football classic this year. God, we pray that you might bless every person that comes, every team that participates, every sponsor, and every supporter. And, God, we look forward to that day. So we give you praise in his name. We pray. Amen. All right.

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Source: https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/wkSn0aOe6pM · Chicago Politics, an independent tracker of the Chicago City Council. Guide for agents: https://www.chicagopolitics.org/llms.txt