Chafeeza

Something about FAMU Homecoming cannot be explained; it is only felt.

Homecoming is not just a week on the calendar. It is a reunion, a reminder, and a revival of everything that makes Florida A&M University special.

This year’s return felt deeply personal.

Wednesday:

We started in the Grand Ballroom for the Expo then the café for Fried Chicken Wednesday.

Between plates of food and bursts of laughter, I reconnected with former colleagues and, most importantly, one of my favorite leaders to date, Mrs. Tobbie. To this day, she still sends me morning affirmations via text.

I was given an opportunity to learn and to lead. I earned certifications and she ensured I was a well rounded employee learning front & back of the house.

She covered me then, and she continues to cover me now.

That café holds so many memories, I will never forget sitting in a food service committee meeting, pitching ideas to improve the student experience, and walking out with a job.

Sodexo,Inc. was my very first role out of college, the first company to pay me a salary, and the place where I stepped into my career as a Marketing Manager. At the time, it was about building events, promotions, and connections. Looking back, it was about so much more. It was about learning resilience, professionalism, and the value of leadership. I am grateful for every lesson that prepared me for the path I walk today.

That evening, Top Flite, a Homecoming staple where else can you get two drinks and a meal for $30? With the gentle push of my sister, I stepped out of my comfort zone and sang karaoke for the very first time.

Thursday:

After snapping some pics and a splurge in the on campus bookstore, we attended Grads Are Back at the School of Journalism & Graphic Communication, a space where alumni return to share wisdom and inspiration with current students. It was powerful to see familiar faces giving back to the very community that shaped us.

I was especially proud to support my friend Antorris Williams, who spoke with so much confidence and grace on his panel. Antorris has a gift, and watching him reminded me that FAMU continues to produce leaders whose influence stretches far beyond the Hill.

That night, the Homecoming Concert. Thanks to a friend, we had floor seats to a SOLD OUT SHOW.

All of the acts were great, but PND was my highlight. From the moment he took the stage, the students went absolutely crazy for him. Watching the crowd, it was clear he should have been way bigger than Aubrey. The videography, the DJ, the dancers, it was giving star quality.

Thursday also reminded me that there are so many people to see, so many hugs to give, and never enough time to fit it all in. Every corner you turn, there is a classmate, a mentor, or a friend you have not seen in years.

We ended the night over Salmon Burgers and fries with the 90s grads at Railroad square.

In addition to reunions and celebrations we show up for current students, mentoring, inspiring, and reminding them that they are the future. As alumni, we compete to see which class can give the most back, which org has the largest endowment because investing in our alma mater means investing in the generations to come.

Unlike other HBCUs we spend time on campus sharing our experiences, building bridges, and leaving behind more than memories. We leave a legacy. We buy a student lunch, we slide them tickets to the Step Show, we offer them a ride, we are there to love on them just how someone loved on us.

Friday:

The morning began early with convocation. It takes determination to make it to campus first thing in the morning, but it is always worth it. Convocation is where we gather to hear an inspirational word, celebrate our leadership, and cheer on our football team as they prepare for the big game. It is where we see the cheerleaders, the Marching 100, and the royal court in their full glory. Convocation reminds us that Homecoming is bigger than ourselves. It is about faith, unity, and preparing to march forward together as one FAMUly.

That afternoon, my sister hosted a BBQ, she opened her home for her friends to gather for a meal which is just who she is, someone who loves through gathering & a fulfilling meal. We all gathered and migrated the party moved to The Amp, formerly known as the Set. The sun was blazing, but nobody seemed to mind. Everyone was out enjoying the music, trying to get on stage, all of the energy, and the activations spread across the space. I made it a point to support the local vendors, and secured another pin thanks to HBCU Culture Shop.

And then, after years of dodging it, I tripped on the Set for the very first time. I touched down on the Hill in 2009, and after all these years, I can finally say I am officially a Rattler.

That evening, the Greek Step Show took the stage. A tradition that has long been a centerpiece of Homecoming, this year it struggled with low attendance and pacing that dragged on in places. It could have been more organized and entertaining, though there were bright moments. As expected, the BADST claimed the win, and the Bruhz delivered a phenomenal performance that lit up the stage. Still, I would love to see the step show return to what it once was…..maybe next year

The night ended on a personal high note. I spent quality time with my ISMs, time we had not shared face to face in years.

Between laughter, stories, and simply being present with one another, it reminded me that Homecoming is just as much about the intimate reunions as it is about the big traditions.

Friday night ended in true Tallahassee fashion. After the club, we made our way to a local favorite, Guthrie’s. The GUT Box tasted just the same as it did over a decade ago fresh , greasy, and absolutely perfect at 3 a.m.

Saturday:

I missed a lot. I missed some of the biggest parties. I missed the T-Pain concert. I even missed seeing people I had been chasing around the city all week, only for us to keep crossing paths at the wrong times. But I found peace in knowing I was right where I was supposed to be, at the right time. And more importantly, I was surrounded by people who accommodated me, drove me around, and loved me. I was so full of joy and love.

It was the hardest day. My flight departed just as the game was kicking off. The Rattlers pulled out a win, but I was not there in the stands to cheer them on. Instead, I was boarding a plane, balancing my love for Tally with the responsibilities of adulthood. A work trip departing on Sunday afternoon meant I would be gone for a week, and despite my best efforts to trade weeks with a colleague, the arrangement worked best for her schedule and I obliged.

I cried leaving the tailgate.

In my next phase of life, I know I will not have to walk away from moments of enjoyment until I am ready. But I digress.

To make it worse, somewhere in the rush of leaving, I lost the sunglass part of my frames, a small detail that somehow felt like the final heartbreak of my departure.

Still, even with the tears and the missed game, I left Tallahassee full. Full of gratitude, full of memories, and full of the reminder that once you are a Rattler, you are always a Rattler, no matter where life calls you next.