There’s nothing on the planet like an HBCU homecoming.
The thrilling tailgates with pink Solo cups and good meals galore, the not-to-be-missed halftime present (higher often known as 5th time period), the feel-good brunches, the sunshine nights, the impromptu Swag Surfin’ that may happen wherever the temper fits you, the energetic Divine 9 step exhibits, the multi-generational fantastic thing about the alumni who lower it with present college students, the hugs that guarantee you that despite the fact that life is alive, all the pieces will likely be okay. Oh…and the soccer recreation. The environment is each uplifting and religious as in between all of the joyful celebrations, we bear in mind the genius and tenacity of our brave and visionary ancestors who constructed HBCUs over a century in the past. The satisfaction is palpable.
In honor of this joyous and festive time for our tradition, we honor {couples} who graduated from HBCUs, generally even on the identical campus, and at the moment are residing their greatest lives collectively. Our Love on the Yard sequence is an intentional and essential highlight on Black love, Black excellence, and Black pleasure!
COUPLE: Jacobi Jones + Ashley Deadwyler-Jones
ASSOCIATED COLLEGE: Spelman Faculty + Morehouse Faculty
MAJORS: Jacobi: Accounting + Ashley: Psychology
CLASS OF: Jacobi2000 + Ashley1998
PROFESSIONS: Jacobi: House builder + Insurance coverage company proprietor
Ashley: Actual Property Investor, Mannequin + Insurance coverage Company Proprietor
YEAR THEY BECAME A COUPLE: 2001
THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF A ‘SPELHOUSE’ LOVE STORY:
Ashley: We have been 17 and met late one night within the spring of 1994 on South Avenue (in Philadelphia). It was the “place to be” on the time. Jacobi and I handed one another, locked eyes, smiled and continued strolling. My greatest pal Calida secretly beckoned Jacobi and his pal to come back again. He patted me on the shoulder and smiled. We chatted and exchanged numbers. We began courting often, however turned inseparable in 2001.
Our HBCU love story would not be full if I did not share that Jacobi determined to attend Morehouse as a result of I used to be throughout the road at Spelman. Jacobi was an All-American 110 Hurdler and had many choices in Division 1, however he determined to go to Morehouse to chase the woman he met on South Avenue in Philadelphia. His father wasn’t thrilled that his son turned down a scholarship to South Carolina, however Jacobi is fast to share that attending Morehouse was the most effective determination of his life. Our story jogs my memory of Shaquille and Deborah in A special world Reloaded and or Tre and Brandi in Boyz n the Hood. Irrespective of how far aside we have been, we at all times discovered our manner to one another.
A long time later, this is what they love most about one another:
Jacobi: I really like that Ashley is caring and tender. I particularly love how passionate she is about our household. Household is precedence. She at all times checks the packing containers to verify we’re capable of succeed each day and I really like that about her.
Ashley: I like many issues about Jacobi, however I do not know what I might do with out his adventurous spirit. It by no means settles down. He at all times desires to check the bounds, get probably the most out of life and make each minute rely. You by no means get uninterested in him. He’s additionally a really devoted husband and father who believes within the Most Excessive.
ATTENDING THE RETURNS IS A FAMILY TRADITION:
Each: If time permits, we prefer to attend SpelHouse Homecomings collectively. There’s a feeling of nostalgia, good meals, good music, style and reconnecting with associates who’re extra like household. It is a spot the place titles do not matter and love is actual. Our classmates bear in mind one another once we had nothing. Returning to campus turns into the frequent denominator for all of us. Homecoming is a “secure area” the place we come collectively and rejoice life in the identical carefree manner we did as college students. This 2026 SpelHouse Homecoming will likely be tremendous particular as a result of our oldest (Jacobi Jones II) is a senior at Morehouse and our youngest (Joshua Jones) will likely be a vendor, promoting his fashionable clothes line, Solana.
BUILD A LIFE AND LEGACY WITH AN HBCU GRADUATE:
Ashley: As HBCU graduates, we admire the significance of training in an setting that’s not at all times good however builds character and prepares us for a world that may attempt to put us in a field. We wish the HBCU expertise for our kids and for his or her kids and their kids. Our HBCUs have empowered us as people, however as a pair we really feel unstoppable.
Jacobi: I bear in mind a category at Morehouse, the place Professor Dr. Vest entered the category carrying a boxing gown. Upon coming into the classroom, Dr. Vest chanted “The champion is right here!, The champion is right here!” “. Dr. Vest advised the scholars that they might not be “champions” till they acquired an training, have been capable of help themselves and discover a good spouse. Dr. Vest was a task mannequin for all the boys within the class. Everybody’s objective was to be a “champion,” like Dr. Vest. Having graduated Morehouse Magna Cum Laude, constructed profitable companies, began a household, and celebrated 25 years of marriage, I wish to inform Dr. Vest that I’m lastly a champion!