While the ‘C’ in HBCU does not stand for Cricket, we are committed to continue building meaningful connections with members of the Historically Black Colleges & Universities community. As a proud supporter of HBCU programs since 2018, national HBCU Week is a time to reflect at how much this relationship has grown.

Cricket HBCU Campus Ambassadors
The Cricket HBCU Campus Ambassadors Program welcomes students from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) and Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) member schools and provides opportunities to grow their marketing skills as they implement marketing plans on their campuses. This year, we welcomed 24 ambassadors – a 118% jump from last school year. They made their debut at the Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge Kickoff in Atlanta.

During the jammed packed weekend, we also released our latest commercial spots featuring our ambassadors. We tapped filmmaker and North Carolina A&T University alumnus, Kevin Wilson Jr. to help us tell the story of life on campus for these future leaders while cementing our commitment to the HBCU community. Check out the commercials - Handshake, ABC’s and Hint. All three were shot at the historic Atlanta University Center. Tune into the behind-the-scenes where Don, Jelani, Chenel and Zyon share their experience filming on the same grounds where notable alumni, like Martin Luther King, Jr were educated!



Community Giveback
Service is embedded into the culture of many HBCUs. To harness on the theme of service, during Black History Month we announced a give back initiative for our ambassadors to pay it forward to an organization that is close to their hearts. NyAshia, our campus ambassador at Alabama State University chose to pay it forward to the I Am Arts Foundation. She was an inaugural member of the Atlanta based non-profit aimed at helping youth unleash their creative side through music, dance and theater. Zyon of North Carolina Central University chose the Durham Success Summit, a Raleigh based mentorship non-profit that equips and empowers young men with what’s necessary to succeed.

Additionally, while our ambassadors were in town for the MEAC/SWAC Challenge, six seniors shared their insights during the College 101 panel discussion for Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta club members. They shared insights on preparing for college in high school, opportunities to pay for college and how being involved on campus and serving as a Cricket Campus Ambassador is preparing them for life after college.



National Battle of the Bands
To round off a busy summer, Cricket Wireless was also the sponsor of the largest HBCU marching band event, National Battle of the Bands. Before the eight schools’ performances at NRG Stadium in Houston, prospective students were able to apply to schools on-site at the S.T.E.M. College & Career Fair. The Cricket team gave out scholarships to help with textbook shopping and educated families about the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which provides savings on mobile services to eligible customers.





As we go through the HBCU football season, we look forward to sharing how we celebrate culture and serve our communities. We are particularly looking forward to the end of year game between the MEAC and SWAC champions at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday, December 16 at the Cricket Celebration Bowl. Don’t miss it!