The Atlanta United FC hosted HBCU Night on Saturday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, highlighted by a halftime performance from Atlanta native and three-time Grammy Award winner T.I..
Despite a 2-0 loss, the event delivered a high-energy celebration of HBCU culture and community.
The HBCU Day 2026 drumline featuring members of Clark Atlanta University Mighty Marching Panthers and Morehouse College House of Funk performed throughout the pregame, in-game and halftime segments, energizing the crowd.
T.I. kept that momentum going, taking more than 30,000 fans through a mix of classic hits and newer music, including his recent single “Let Them Know.”
HBCU representation remained front and center from start to finish.
Before kickoff, Taylor Polidore Williams, a Clark Atlanta alumna known for her role in Beauty in Black, took part in the ceremonial pre-match nail strike to signal the start of the game.
The night also featured FlyGuy DC, another Clark Atlanta alum, who served as co-host of the pre-match show alongside club host Joe Freihofer.
The event underscored the lasting impact of HBCUs while spotlighting Atlanta’s deep-rooted culture. Regardless of the result on the pitch, the city once again showed its ability to show up and show out.
