Producers of The Takeover, one of the longest-running African American travel club events, have joined forces with Barbados to introduce a unique HBCU destination experience: FABA Fest (For Alumni By Alumni). It's set to debut during Barbados Juneteenth Weekend 2023. Caribbean islands boast beautiful beaches, vibrant African diasporic culture and Black business enterprises - and here, Black excellence is celebrated. The Empowerment Summit FABA Fest, one of the longest-running and largest African American travel club events, will partner with historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) to launch an innovative destination experience dedicated to celebrating and highlighting HBCU cultural excellence and alumni excellence across America's HBCU community. It will debut June 15-18th in Barbados for its inaugural event. LaChanda Ricks of Howard University will host FABA Fest as an elevated and entertaining experience that celebrates Black culture while honoring HBCU graduates. Over three days, FABA Fest will focus on music, philanthropy, scholarship and networking amongst members of the Black community; featuring captivating live performances as well as interactive experiences to highlight Jamaica's rich heritage through captivating live performances and immersive experiences - plus attendees can attend a summit highlighting HBCUs' importance. According to FABA's founders, their vision for FABA came from their desire to create an unparalleled homecoming event that could unite HBCU alumni while honoring Black excellence. After careful consideration they decided on Barbados due to its beautiful beaches and vibrant culture; as well as being Rihanna's birthplace. Furthermore, several highly esteemed HBCUs reside there as well. At this year's festival, attendees can look forward to golf tournaments, Bajan polo matches and an impressive homecoming-inspired beach tailgate party. There will also be free empowerment sessions led by some of the top HBCU alumni DJs from around the world. FABA Fest offers alumni an exceptional way to come together in celebration of Black excellence while giving back to both their alma maters and larger communities. It will take place for the inaugural time during Juneteenth weekend 2023. HBCU alumni and their families will experience Barbados through a specially curated, community-centric, impactful experience, raising awareness and funds for HBCU students at this event. Affluent black professionals will also attend this renowned occasion that showcases all that's best about HBCUs and Caribbean cultures. For more information, visit FABA. The College Fair One of the greatest aspects of being part of an HBCU family is feeling part of something greater. And this summer, that sense of community will come together for an epic celebration centered around HBCUs! BOSSIP obtained exclusive information regarding an event scheduled to launch this June devoted entirely to them. FABA Fest (For Alumni, By Alumni) will bring the expertise behind one of Africa's longest-running and largest travel club events to an exotic locale this summer on Barbados - one-of-a-kind destination event uniting alumni and allies from HBCUs alike! Barbados, famed for its beautiful beaches and vibrant African diasporic culture, provides the ideal setting for this one-of-a-kind destination festival. Attendees will experience an immersive culturally rich event focused on community engagement while raising funds for HBCU students while expanding global recognition for these institutions. FABA Fest will feature an educational fair to connect prospective students and their families with universities around the country, while attendees will experience Bajan culture through captivating live performances by local artists. They can also take part in the world's first-ever Battle of the Boats: an aquatic send-off party featuring decorated boats representing HBCU spirit that will battle it out on the water for bragging rights as the best team! FABA Fest will feature free empowerment sessions led by some of the most notable HBCU alumni and experts. These conversations will offer attendees insights into career and life success, financial security, entrepreneurship and other related subjects. The Yard Fest FABA Fest in Barbados will offer this experience every Friday night from June 15-18th 2023 - it will be like attending homecoming for Black college alumni on a tropical beach! Aromatic fried fish and flavorful meat on the grill await, beautiful Black people are everywhere, braids twists braids blare hits from DJ, drum beats thundering through the air, Rum with coke splashed on it for added fun, laugher, hugs and unadulterated Black joy all come together as part of this extraordinary event that marks homecoming for Black college alumni from across all of these institutions of excellence June 15-18, 2023! FABA Fest, a celebration of both HBCU alumni and Barbadian culture, provides attendees with an unforgettable vacation experience while strengthening bonds between themselves and fellow alumni while tapping into America's powerful history with this Caribbean nation. LaChanda Ricks, organizer of FABA Fest, believes it's essential to display "HBCU pride on an international scale," she told BOSSIP. Additionally, she feels it important to promote Barbados as an island where African American culture thrives and flourishes. Attendees of this four-day event will participate in an empowerment summit and college fair; experience Bajan culture via island-style tailgate parties and sunrise parties; and join in The Battle of the Boats: a golf tournament/Bajan polo match to raise scholarship funds for current HBCU students. FABA Fest organizers are pleased to see this inaugural event helping support HBCU students while commemorating their culture in a Caribbean island that boasts strong historical ties with America. Eusi Skeete, Director of Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc's US Office believes this is an empowering bond which will benefit both communities. As a result of this unique collaboration, HBCUs will be able to reach more students while Barbados will draw more American tourists. Skeete notes that FABA Fest will have more lasting impacts due to being purpose-driven party with an emphasis on giving back. Part of proceeds from FABA Fest will go toward funding HBCU scholarships while inspiring talks and panels are part of its empowerment summit. The Battle of the Boats As alumni from historically black college and universities (HBCUs) gather at FABA Fest - the inaugural festival of its kind held in Barbados - they'll be reminded that Black excellence goes beyond mere academic achievements; it must also involve community building. Therefore, part of FABA Fest's proceeds will provide scholarship funds to HBCU students while an educational fair will showcase HBCUs to high net-worth professionals and wealthy travelers. FABA Fest will also host free empowerment sessions for visitors and residents, featuring talks from some of the most acclaimed HBCU graduates from around the world, informative panels, as well as DJs representing these institutions at social events all across Bermuda. Fans of HBCUs will have an array of exciting activities available to them during this event, such as a golf tournament and Bajan polo match to raise scholarship funds for current HBCU students. Plus, fans will have plenty of chances to soak in Barbados culture throughout their visit - as well as party all night with an all-star lineup of DJs representing HBCUs! Barbados will become the first Caribbean destination to host an HBCU alumni festival this Juneteenth weekend, with specific emphasis on culture, music, philanthropy and scholarship. FABA Fest (HBCU "For Alumni By Alumni") will take place between June 15-18 as part of Juneteenth celebrations. LaChanda Ricks, an alum of Howard University herself, describes the purpose of FABA Fest as follows. Founder LaChanda Ricks fell in love with Barbados on an earlier trip and recognized its potential as a venue to bring together alumni of HBCUs and celebrate black excellence. According to Ricks, FABA Fest will strengthen ties between Barbados and America, particularly Charleston South Carolina which features eight HBCUs with genealogy connections back to Barbados.