Hampton University Alumni Affairs

06/18/2026

There’s still time to be counted in, Pirates. 💙⚓

As we approach the end of the fiscal year, we’re inviting alumni who have never given, or haven’t given in a while, to reconnect with Hampton and make an impact before June 30.

Your support helps continue Hampton’s legacy of excellence and creates opportunities for the next generation of leaders.

Every gift matters. Every Pirate matters.

Help us Continue the Story. https://home.hamptonu.edu/donate/

06/18/2026

As we celebrate Black Music Month, we honor the visionaries whose influence extends far beyond the spotlight.

Weldon Irvine '65, known to many as "Master Wel", was an accomplished composer, playwright, poet, and jazz-funk keyboardist whose work helped shape generations of Black music. Best known for writing the lyrics to the Civil Rights anthem, "To Be Young, Gifted and Black", he used music as a tool for empowerment, pride, and social change.

While living in his hometown of Hampton, Virginia, Irvine attended Hampton Institute (now Hampton University), where he majored in English Literature and minored in Music Theory. His deep connection to the institution was influenced by his grandfather, Walter R. Brown Sr., who served as Dean of the Men's College.

Years later, Irvine's innovative sound, mentorship, and artistry would help influence future hip-hop legends such as Mos Def, Q-Tip, and countless others who carried his musical vision into a new generation.

06/15/2026

The New York Hampton Alumni Chapter () and the Long Island Chapter () of the are coming together for a special night of baseball, fellowship, and HBCU pride!

Join us for HBCU Night / Black Excellence Night @ New York Mets Game on Tuesday, June 24 @ 7:10 PM, Citi Field
Ticket: $102 + applicable fees

Your ticket includes:
Game seating in the 100s section
A commemorative Mets hat
A $20 meal voucher
A donation to the alumni chapter

Purchase tickets at https://bit.ly/4vfe4YZ!

06/11/2026

Today, we spotlight Maestra D'Walla Simmons-Burke '83, Director of Choral and Vocal Studies at Winston-Salem State University, whose commitment to excellence has shaped countless voices and elevated the power of choral music.

🎶 Soundtrack: Hear My Prayer written by Moses Hogan and performed by the Winston Salem State University Choir.

06/10/2026

You know him as "Mr. Ron" from Gullah Gullah Island. But his impact on Black culture goes far beyond television.

Get a sneak peek of our upcoming Black Music Month interview with Hampton alumnus Ron Daise '78 and check out who crashes the interview 👀

Full conversation drops next week.

A storyteller. A cultural ambassador. A Hampton University legend....

06/09/2026

Black music isn't just entertainment—it's a soundtrack to our stories. 🎵

Morgan Taylor Jones '11, Onyx VIII shares which genre has influenced her the most and why its impact still resonates today.

Watch her powerful response. 👀

06/08/2026

Hampton University's Office of Alumni Affairs is celebrating Black Music Month by highlighting the voices of educators, directors, and leaders who help preserve the legacy of Black music. 🎶

Check out what Dr. Thomas L. Jones, Jr. has to say 🎼

06/05/2026

Will you be on Martha's Vineyard between August 8–11? Or are you interested in receiving updates about future Hampton University alumni gatherings, networking events, receptions, and special programming on the Vineyard?

We invite you to join our new Hampton University Martha's Vineyard Interest List to stay connected and be among the first to learn about upcoming Hampton events and opportunities on the island.

Go to https://bit.ly/4o8efT0 to sign up!

06/04/2026

From the campus of Hampton to the airwaves of history—meet media trailblazer Jesse 'Spider' Burks!

As the first Black Jazz DJ in Saint Louis, he interviewed giants like Duke Ellington and Nat King Cole, shaping the course of radio and cementing a timeless legacy in the jazz community.

This Black Music Month we honor Jesse Spider Burks, Forever a Pirate!