Protect the Pipeline: The South Florida HBCU Picnic Doubles Down on Scholarships Amid DEI Program Rollbacks
With federal grants to HBCUs at risk—the South Florida HBCU Picnic is answering with action: every ticket to the 9th Annual Picnic on Saturday, July 12, at Florida Memorial University funds renewable scholarships for South Florida students headed to or returning from Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
“When policy shifts threaten the very programs that leveled the playing field for us, the community must close the gap,” said Matthew A. Pigatt, former mayor of Opa-locka and picnic co-founder.
Founded in 2015 by Attorney Josh Jones of Josh Jones Law, P.A., Pigatt and Melody Miller, CEO of Soulwork Innovations, Inc. and former president of the Howard University Alumni Club of South Florida, the South Florida HBCU Picnic has grown into a cultural mainstay. What began as a gathering of alumni from 10 Historically Black Colleges and Universities has since expanded to include representatives from major HBCUs and Black Greek-letter organizations, drawing thousands of attendees each year.
The South Florida HBCU Alumni Scholarships presented at the picnic are raised from the donation-admission tickets to the Picnic. The scholarships are awarded to students planning to or attending a Historically Black College or University.
“These scholarships prove that South Florida still invests in opportunity,” added Josh Jones, Esq. “By donating at the gate, every adult attendee becomes a stakeholder in a student’s success.”
Why It Matters:
As HBCUs navigate underfunding, policy threats, and social pressure, events like the South Florida HBCU Picnic stand as a defiant counterpoint, centering Black stories, institutions, and excellence. This picnic isn’t just timely; it’s necessary.
“The surge of students at HBCUs is at an all-time high, while funding is being cut at the Federal and State level. We are here to show up and to send a clear message to our students: We are going to reclaim our dedication to you and our HBCUs,” said Melody Miller. “ If schools like Harvard are under threat to have their funding stripped away, well, it’s even worse for HBCUs, so now the power and the promise for the future has to come from us.”
Registration & Sponsorship
Tickets (donation-based; suggested minimum donation of $10) and sponsorship packages—from small-business tables to Title Sponsorship—are available at www.sfhbcupicnic.com.
Additional Information
Event Highlights: 2025 Weekend Line-Up
● Friday, July 11 | 7 p.m. — Game Masters Night: spades & dominoes networking mixer, The HIYDE
● Saturday, July 12 | 2 p.m.–7 p.m. — 9th Annual South Florida HBCU Picnic, Florida Memorial University, Miami Gardens, FL
