Inaugural event draws over 37,000 attendees and delivers $88,000 in scholarships
Houston, TX (September 12, 2019) – The 2019 Cracker Barrel National Battle of the Bands (NBOTB) left its mark on Houston, Texas, as the largest African American, non-football game event in the state of Texas, during the event’s inaugural year at NRG Stadium.
Cracker Barrel NBOTB By the Numbers
The impact of the NBOTB was felt throughout Labor Day Weekend. In addition to the 2,500 members representing the eight HBCU bands featured in Sunday’s lineup at NRG Stadium, which drew in 37,782 attendees, other official events were created to focus on community engagement, college recruitment, health and wellness and entrepreneurship.
More than 7,000 fans, students and families from the Houston Independent School District and surrounding districts attended the HBCU S.T.E.M. College Recruitment Fair presented by H-E-B the Health and Wellness Fair presented by MD Anderson Cancer Center.
Students gained direct access to 17 HBCUs from around the country who were recruiting for both undergrad and graduate admissions for S.T.E.M. and Non-S.T.E.M. programs.
The Emerge Experience Entrepreneur Event drew in 25 of the top minority entrepreneurs and small business owners ready to connect, collaborate, and learn practical business hacks and gain access to resources to grow their businesses and brands, and create profit through a series of fireside expert chats and workshop trainings.
Approximately, $88,000 in scholarship monies was generated during this year’s event.
$80,000 for this year’s participating college and university bands which included Texas Southern University, Ocean of Soul Marching Band; North Carolina Central University, The Sound Machine Marching Band; Prairie View A&M University, Marching Storm Band; Talladega College, Marching Tornado Band; Southern University, Human Jukebox; Miles College, Purple Marching Machine; and Tennessee State University, Aristocrat of Bands and Florida A&M University, Marching 100.
$5,000 in band instruments was awarded by H-E-B across five local Houston-area high school bands through the instrument scholarship initiative.
·$3,000 was awarded to the winning Greeks organizations of the Stroll Off competition.
“It warms my heart to be able to make an impact on the participating HBCU bands, and also, within the Houston community, says Derek Webber, CEO, Webber Marketing & Consulting, LLC & Creator of the National Battle of the Bands.
“The NBOTB creates a space for us to enhancing the exposure of HBCU marching bands; but it also creates an opportunity for us to make an impact within the community by providing access to knowledge and resources through events like The Emerge Experience Entrepreneur Event, as well as, engaging existing and future college students through access and information provided at the college recruitment fair.”
According to the Harris County - Houston Sports Authority, the total estimated direct economic impact to Houston and Harris County was $6.3 million.
“What an event!’’ said Harris County - Houston Sports Authority CEO Janis Burke. "We couldn’t have done it without our corporate sponsors who shared our belief and vision and made the Battle of the Bands so successful in this first year. We’re just as excited about the College Recruitment Fair and Health and Wellness Fair, both of which exceeded our expectations in the first year, reaching a combined 7,000 students, families and fans.’’
For more information about the NBOTB visit, www.nationalbattleofthebands.com.
About the Cracker Barrel National Battle of the Bands
The event’s mission is to enhance the exposure of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and their marching bands, the roles they play in educating aspiring musicians and developing our future leaders. Event organizers have generated more than $350,000 in scholarships for the participating colleges and universities. www.nationalbattleofthebands.com
About Harris County - Houston Sports Authority
The Harris County-Houston Sports Authority maintains the facilities and services the debt of the world-class, professional sports venues it was created to build. To support this primary mission, Houston Sports serves as a leading proponent for attracting sporting events to Houston and for promoting the city as a home for sports-related activities, to ultimately enhance Houston’s economic development and bring better quality of life for its residents. Houston Sports also created the annual Houston Sports Awards to honor the area’s outstanding athletes. www.houstonsports.org