The Cricket Celebration Bowl, the championship game for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), was a highlight on Saturday, not just for the players on the field, but also because of a special guest in the stands. Vice President Kamala Harris, a Howard University alumna, was in Atlanta to root for her alma mater's team, the Bison, at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium. But despite her support, it was Florida A&M University (FAMU) who celebrated victory with a tight scoreline of 30-26 over Howard University, as reported by FOX 5 Atlanta.
According to details from her office, provided by WSB-TV, Harris studied political science and economics at Howard and graduated in 1986. The Celebration Bowl, which began in 2015, has become a significant event, bringing the MEAC and SWAC champions together for a championship showdown. This year's edition attracted thousands of fans, including Harris, her husband, the second gentleman, Doug Emhoff, and Sen. Raphael Warnock.
Howard's show in the game was promising, albeit ultimately disappointing for their cheering vice presidential fan. The Bison, who ended their season with a 4-1 MEAC record and a 6-5 overall record, came into the game on a winning streak. They faced a formidable opponent in FAMU, who finished undefeated in their SWAC engagements, their only blemish being a loss to South Florida earlier in the year.
Football, however, wasn't the only order of the day. Following the game, the vice president and her entourage dined at Busy Bee Cafe, an Atlanta staple, before making their journey back to Washington, D.C. This sideline visit to the famed eatery added a local flavor to the vice president's trip, a reminder that the stakes of football stretch well into the broader culture and through the restaurants and institutions that sustain it. As Harris actively engages with the communities she once walked within, her presence signals a connection with the HBCU legacy that is both personal and political.
