ESSENCE and MeetBoston announce Inaugural ESSENCE Kickoff Classic at Harvard Stadium This Labor Day Weekend.

This Historic event brings HBCU football to Boston for the first time, uniting culture, community, and college athletics like never before.

BOSTON, July 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- ESSENCE, the premier media and cultural platform for Black women and communities, is proud to announce the inaugural ESSENCE Kickoff Classic, taking place Labor Day Weekend 2025 at Harvard Stadium. This landmark event will feature a season-opening football matchup between Morehouse College and Johnson C. Smith University, marking the first HBCU Classic ever held in the city of Boston.

The ESSENCE Kickoff Classic represents a powerful intersection of culture, education, and athletics—offering a national stage to showcase the legacy, pride, and excellence of Historically Black Colleges and Universities. At the core of this moment is the influence of Black women, who have long driven the legacy of HBCUs, strengthened family ties, and fueled progress in their communities. "The Classic isn't just a game — it's a citywide celebration of culture, community, and Boston's bold commitment to inclusivity." said event Co-Founder Derrick Brown.

Leadership Rooted in Vision and Equity

The selection of Harvard Stadium, a venue steeped in academic tradition, serves as a symbolic stage for elevating Black excellence and creating new cultural traditions in the city.

"The ESSENCE Kickoff Classic is more than a game—it's a cultural statement," said Michele Ghee, Chief Content Officer of ESSENCE Ventures. "By bringing HBCU football to Boston for the first time, we're not only honoring the rich legacy of our institutions—we're creating space for Black excellence to thrive in new places. This is about celebration, community, and cementing traditions that reflect the power and pride of who we are."

Boston: A City of Firsts and Forward Thinking

From its deep academic roots to its evolving cultural landscape, Boston provides a powerful setting for this inaugural event. As a national leader in education and equity, the city is positioned to honor HBCU tradition while ushering in a new era of celebration and inclusion.

"This Classic underscores Boston's continued commitment to showcasing diverse voices, traditions, and institutions," said Mayor Michelle Wu. "We are proud to bring the spirit of HBCUs to Harvard Stadium and look forward to welcoming visitors from across the country for a weekend of celebration, pride, and community."

MeetBoston, the city's official destination marketing organization, is also a proud supporter, helping to amplify Boston's role as a cultural and sporting destination.

Campus Rise, a mission-driven platform supporting underrepresented students, will join as a partner to support student and alumni engagement across the weekend.

EVENT DETAILS

Date: Labor Day Weekend 2025
Location: Harvard Stadium, Boston, MA
Matchup: Morehouse College vs. Johnson C. Smith University
In partnership with: The City of Boston, MeetBoston, and Campus Rise

Additional details on ticketing, cultural events, and weekend programming will be announced in the coming weeks. The ESSENCE Kickoff Classic will be more than a game—it will be a cultural homecoming, a statement of pride, and a tradition in the making.

About Sundial Media & Technology Group: Sundial Media & Technology Group (SMTG) is a human connections company — the signal powered by culture, scaled by technology, and built for community. SMTG connects, elevates, and empowers the most influential consumer segment in the market: HER, the Chief Influence Officer. With over 100 years of community knowledge and insights, SMTG is redefining the media model into a next-generation platform. Powered by proprietary intelligence and AI technology, it activates an ecosystem that scales HER influence and economic power. Its portfolio includes some of the most iconic, purpose-driven brands and experiences shaping culture today—ESSENCE (Girls United, ESSENCE Studios, ESSENCE Festival of Culture™), Refinery29, AFROPUNK, Beautycon™ (including NaturallyCurly), the Global Black Economic Forum, the Academy for Advancing Excellence, and the New Voices Fund. Through storytelling, products, and platforms, SMTG delivers the tools and technology to shape the future of media, commerce, and community—on HER terms.

ABOUT ESSENCE COMMUNICATIONS, MEDIA GROUP INC.

Essence Communications is the number one—and only 100% Black-owned—media, technology and commerce company at scale dedicated to Black women and communities. With a community of more than 31 million Black women, ESSENCE inspires a global audience through diverse storytelling and immersive original content rooted in Culture, Equity and Celebration. The brand's multi-platform presence in/ publishing, experiential and online encompasses its namesake magazine; digital, video and social platforms; television specials; books; and signature live events, including Black Women in Music, Black Women in Hollywood, ESSENCE Black Women in Sports, Fashion House, Street Style and the ESSENCE Festival of Culture.

Media Contact
Skai Blue Media for Sundial Media & Technology Group:TeamSMG@skaibluemedia.com

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SOURCE Sundial Media & Technology Group