Before There Was Any Other HBCU in the South, There Was Shaw.
There is a particular kind of pride that comes from knowing your school was first. Not first to have a big stadium. Not first to trend on social media. First, period — the first door that opened when every other door in the American South was locked shut to Black people seeking a college education.
That is Shaw University. Founded in the heart of downtown Raleigh just months after the end of the Civil War, Shaw carries a distinction no other HBCU in the South can claim: it was the first. And every October, generations of Bears come home to the same streets where that history was made — to reconnect, to celebrate, and to remind the world exactly who started all of this.
This year, Shaw University Homecoming 2026 runs the week of October 26–31, 2026, closing out with the Homecoming football game on Saturday, October 31. Raleigh, North Carolina belongs to the Bears.
What Makes Shaw University Homecoming Unlike Any Other
Every HBCU homecoming has its own personality. Shaw's is built on three things that no other school can replicate.
First, the "first" distinction itself. Shaw University was established on December 1, 1865 — before Howard, before Fisk, before almost every HBCU you can name — making it widely recognized as the first historically Black institution of higher education in the American South. When Shaw alumni gather, they are not just celebrating a school. They are celebrating the literal starting point of Black higher education below the Mason-Dixon line.
Second, the campus itself sits in downtown Raleigh, blocks from the state capitol and the historic Black business corridor once known as "Black Main Street." Homecoming week isn't confined to a suburban campus — it spills directly into the streets, restaurants, and neighborhoods of a real Southern capital city.
Third, the intimacy. Shaw is a small university, and that means homecoming here still feels like a family reunion. You will run into the same classmates at the tailgate, the gospel concert, and the Sunday brunch. It's the kind of homecoming where people still remember your name.
The History: Shaw University & the Birth of Black Higher Education in the South
Shaw University was founded on December 1, 1865 — less than eight months after the end of the Civil War — by the Reverend Henry Martin Tupper, a Union Army veteran and Baptist minister, in partnership with the American Baptist Home Mission Society. Tupper began teaching formerly enslaved men and women out of a single room in Raleigh, at a moment when the ink on the Thirteenth Amendment was barely dry and the idea of Black Americans earning a college degree in the South was considered radical, even dangerous.
That single classroom grew into Shaw University — and Shaw's list of firsts didn't stop at its founding. In 1874, the university built Estey Hall, believed to be the first dormitory constructed in the nation specifically to house and educate African American women in higher education. In 1881, Shaw opened the Leonard Medical Building, the fifth medical school for African Americans established in the country, training roughly 400 Black physicians who went on to serve rural communities across the segregated South.
Shaw's most consequential moment, however, may have come nearly a century later. In April 1960, Shaw alumna and civil rights organizer Ella Baker convened a student meeting on Shaw's campus that brought together young activists from sit-ins across the South. That meeting gave birth to the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) — one of the most important organizations of the civil rights movement, and the launching pad for leaders like John Lewis and Diane Nash. The Yard at Howard has the Bison. The campus at Shaw has the ground where SNCC was born.
Why Shaw University Homecoming Matters
Shaw Homecoming matters because Shaw's history is, in a very real sense, the origin story of Black higher education in the South. Every HBCU that followed — and several of their founders were literally trained at Shaw, including James E. Shepard, who studied at Shaw before founding what became North Carolina Central University — owes something to the door Shaw kicked open in 1865.
For alumni, coming home to Raleigh every October is a chance to stand on the same ground where Estey Hall was built, where the Leonard Medical Building trained the South's first generation of Black doctors, and where Ella Baker changed the course of the civil rights movement. For visitors who never set foot on Shaw's campus as students, Homecoming weekend is an invitation into that history — a reminder that "first" is not a small word.
Why You Should Attend Shaw University Homecoming 2026
You do not need a Shaw degree to feel the pull of this weekend. The gospel concert, the step show, the tailgate, and the sheer density of Raleigh's downtown HBCU energy are open to anyone who wants in.
Because Shaw's campus sits directly in downtown Raleigh, Homecoming week doubles as a crash course in one of the South's most underrated capital cities — its food scene, its Black history sites, and its own emerging identity as a destination in its own right.
Come celebrate where it all started. You'll leave with a history lesson you didn't know you needed.
🏈 Plan Your Shaw Homecoming Trip
What to Expect: Day by Day
- Monday, October 26 — Homecoming Kickoff: Convocation and opening ceremonies mark the official start of Homecoming week on Shaw's campus in downtown Raleigh.
- Tuesday, October 27 — Coronation: Mister and Miss Shaw University and the Homecoming court are crowned in a formal ceremony celebrating student leadership.
- Wednesday, October 28 — Gospel Concert: An evening of gospel music honoring Shaw's deep roots in the Black church — fitting for a university founded by a Baptist minister.
- Thursday, October 29 — Step Show: Shaw's Greek organizations bring the yard to life with one of the most anticipated nights of the week.
- Friday, October 30 — Alumni Mixer & Pep Rally: Alumni chapters host receptions across Raleigh while students and returning grads gather for a pep rally ahead of game day.
- Saturday, October 31 — Tailgate & Homecoming Game: The centerpiece of the week — tailgating followed by the Homecoming football game, with the Bears squaring off against a CIAA opponent. Go Bears.
Career & Networking Opportunities
Shaw's alumni network runs deep in law, education, ministry, medicine, and government — and Homecoming week is when that network resurfaces in full.
- Alumni chapter receptions — Shaw's National Alumni Association chapters across the country host meetups throughout Homecoming week. Reach out to your regional chapter ahead of time.
- Educator & ministry connections — given Shaw's history in training Black educators and clergy, expect informal networking opportunities around the gospel concert and Sunday services.
- Downtown Raleigh proximity — Shaw's location a few blocks from the state capitol and the city's business core makes it easy to combine Homecoming with local professional meetups.
Social Events & Parties
Downtown Raleigh's Warehouse District, Glenwood South, and Fayetteville Street corridors all fill up during Shaw Homecoming week, with bars, lounges, and event spaces hosting Homecoming-adjacent parties nightly.
Official campus events — Coronation, the gospel concert, and the step show — tend to have limited seating, so confirm details with the university as the week approaches. Unofficial after-parties pick up Thursday through Saturday night, with the biggest crowds out after the step show and following the Saturday game.
Where to Eat: Raleigh's Best for Shaw Homecoming
- Raleigh Soul Kitchen — A Southern soul food staple serving chicken and waffles, oxtails, fried pork chops, and homestyle sides. A true taste of the culture, minutes from campus.
- Beasley's Chicken + Honey — Chef Ashley Christensen's beloved downtown Raleigh spot built around fried chicken done right. A Homecoming week must.
- Poole's Diner — One of downtown Raleigh's original modern diners, serving elevated Southern comfort food in a cozy, classic setting.
- The Pit Authentic Barbecue — Whole-hog, Eastern North Carolina-style barbecue smoked low and slow, located in the Warehouse District. A Michelin Guide-recognized Raleigh institution.
- Death & Taxes — Wood-fire cooking built around Southern ingredients, a James Beard-nominated favorite for a celebratory Homecoming dinner.
- RH Rooftop Restaurant at RH Raleigh — A skylit rooftop garden setting at North Hills, perfect for a relaxed Homecoming brunch or evening out.
What to Do in Raleigh
- Shaw University Campus Walk — Walk past Estey Hall and the Leonard Medical Building, two of the most historically significant structures in Black higher education, both still standing on Shaw's campus.
- North Carolina Museum of Art — A world-class, free art museum with an expansive outdoor park — a great way to spend a Homecoming afternoon.
- North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences — The largest natural history museum in the Southeast, right in the heart of downtown Raleigh.
- Historic Oakwood — A beautifully preserved Victorian-era neighborhood within walking distance of downtown, ideal for an easy afternoon stroll.
- Downtown Raleigh's Warehouse District & City Market — Shops, breweries, and restaurants housed in restored early-1900s buildings, just blocks from Shaw's campus.
Black History & Cultural Sites in Raleigh
- Estey Hall (Shaw University) — Built in 1874, widely recognized as the nation's first dormitory built specifically to house and educate African American women in higher education. Civil rights leader Ella Baker once called it home.
- Leonard Medical Building (Shaw University) — Opened in 1881 as the fifth medical school for African Americans in the country, training roughly 400 Black physicians who served the segregated South.
- E. Hargett Street ("Black Main Street") — From the 1910s through the 1960s, this was the primary business district for Raleigh's Black professionals and entrepreneurs. A short walk from Shaw's campus.
- City Cemetery — Established in 1798, the burial ground includes the grave of Dr. Anna J. Cooper, the pioneering Black educator, author, and activist.
- Mount Hope Cemetery — Established in 1872 to serve Raleigh's African American residents, it is the resting place of several prominent Black community leaders.
Recommended Places to Stay
Downtown Raleigh hotels fill quickly during Homecoming week. Book early.
Premium
- The Umstead Hotel and Spa — Raleigh's premier luxury property, known for its spa, art collection, and fine dining. A short drive from downtown.
- Sheraton Raleigh Hotel — A contemporary full-service hotel directly on Fayetteville Street, close to Shaw's campus.
- AC Hotel by Marriott Raleigh Downtown — European-inspired design with a rooftop lounge, in the heart of downtown.
Mid-Range
- Raleigh Marriott City Center — Centrally located downtown with an indoor pool and easy walking access to Shaw's campus.
- Residence Inn by Marriott Raleigh Downtown — All-suite hotel with kitchens and a rooftop bar, great for groups staying multiple nights.
- Aloft Raleigh — A budget-friendly, style-forward option near NC State, with an outdoor terrace bar.
Budget
- Hampton Inn & Suites Raleigh Downtown (Glenwood South) — Steps from Raleigh's entertainment district, with complimentary breakfast.
- Longleaf Hotel and Lounge — A comfortable, no-frills downtown option with free parking — ideal for travelers on a tighter budget.
🏨 Find & Compare Raleigh Hotels for Shaw Homecoming →
BTN Travel Tip: Your Shaw Homecoming Itinerary
- Monday — Arrive & Campus Walk: Check in, walk past Estey Hall and the Leonard Medical Building, attend the Homecoming kickoff.
- Tuesday — Black Main Street + Coronation: Stroll Hargett Street's historic business corridor, then catch the evening Coronation ceremony.
- Wednesday — Museums + Gospel Concert: Spend the day at the NC Museum of Art or NC Museum of Natural Sciences, then head to the gospel concert.
- Thursday — City Cemetery + Step Show: A morning visit to City Cemetery, then the can't-miss step show at night.
- Friday — Historic Oakwood + Alumni Mixer: An easy afternoon in Historic Oakwood, followed by the alumni mixer and pep rally.
- Saturday — Tailgate, Game & Night Out: The full Homecoming day — tailgate, football game, and Raleigh's biggest night out of the year.
Mark Your Calendar
Shaw University Homecoming 2026
📅 October 26–31, 2026
📍 Shaw University, 118 E South St, Raleigh, NC 27601
🏈 Homecoming game details — shawu.edu
⚠️ Exact ticketing details and full Homecoming week schedule are released by the university closer to the date — check shawu.edu for updates.
🐻 Get Shaw Homecoming Updates →
How to Stay Connected
- Official Website: shawu.edu
- Shaw University Athletics: shawbears.com
- Hashtags: #ShawUHomecoming #ShawUBears #GoBears
- BTN Coverage: Follow @myblacktravelnow for Homecoming guides and Raleigh travel tips
