The Power of Coming Home: Reflections on SpelHouse Homecoming 2024
Walking through the historic gates of Morehouse College this October weekend, I was struck by how a place can simultaneously feel frozen in time and completely transformed. The red brick buildings along Westview Drive still stand proud, but they now hold different dreams, different voices, and a new generation of leaders in the making. As an alumnus from the class of 1998, returning to 830 Westview for Homecoming brought forth a flood of memories and revelations about the power of community, representation, and the lasting impact of the HBCU experience.
My journey to Morehouse began, ironically, through a television screen. Like many in my generation, The Cosby Show and A Different World served as windows into a world where Black excellence wasn’t just possible — it was the norm. These shows, despite their creator’s later fall from grace, painted portraits of Black life that were revolutionary in their ordinariness: doctors, lawyers, college students, and families simply living, loving, and pursuing their dreams. While Howard, Hampton, Lincoln, and Tuskegee were initially higher on my list, fate and circumstance led me to Morehouse, a decision that would prove transformative.
This weekend’s Homecoming celebration reinforced what makes the SpelHouse community so special. In the sea of faces wearing Harris shirts and hats, I witnessed the living embodiment of brotherhood and solidarity with our Spelman sisters. The media narrative about Black men failing to support Black women dissolves in the face of reality here — where achievement is celebrated across gender lines, and excellence is the expected standard, not the exception.
The magic of Homecoming lies not just in the festivities, though the music, food, and tradition create an undeniable energy. The true power rests in the connections forged and reinforced. Earlier today, watching a vintage episode of The Cosby Show featuring the legendary Miriam Makeba, I reflected on the remarkable network I’ve built since my freshman year. That 18-year-old who first stepped onto campus could never have imagined the breadth and depth of relationships that would develop over the decades.
This network transcends mere professional convenience. When I need medical advice, I can call a classmate who’s now a respected physician. Tax questions? I have a direct line to a partner at a major consulting firm. Government policy discussions? Friends working in the White House are just a phone call away. Legal counsel? Fellow alumni stand ready to assist, though I pray I rarely need their services. These aren’t just professional connections — they’re relationships built on shared experiences, mutual respect, and a common understanding of our responsibility to lift as we climb.
But it would be a mistake to suggest this network is exclusive to SpelHouse graduates. The beauty of our community lies in its expansiveness, embracing people from all walks of life who share our commitment to progress and excellence. The long lines and crowds at Homecoming might test one’s patience, but they’re testament to something profound — the magnetic pull of a place where Black joy, Black excellence, and Black potential converge.
What makes SpelHouse Homecoming particularly powerful is its role as an intergenerational catalyst for change. In every conversation, whether with old friends or new acquaintances, there’s an underlying current of purpose. We’re not just catching up — we’re strategizing, connecting dots, and finding ways to leverage our collective power for community advancement. This weekend serves as an annual reminder that proximity to power isn’t just about having influential connections; it’s about understanding how to activate those relationships for greater good.
The impact of seeing successful Black professionals wasn’t just important in the fictional world of Hillman College. Today, as I observe current students interacting with alumni, I see the same spark of recognition I once felt watching A Different World. They’re witnessing living proof that their dreams are achievable, that marriage, career success, and social impact aren’t mutually exclusive goals.
As James Baldwin reminded us, Black joy is its own form of power. This weekend, amid the tailgating, step shows, and endless reunions, that joy was palpable. It’s a joy that comes from being seen, from being understood, from being part of something larger than ourselves. In a world that often seeks to minimize or marginalize Black achievement, SpelHouse Homecoming stands as a testament to our resilience, our excellence, and our unwavering support for one another.
The weekend serves as an annual reminder that our network grows stronger when we actively nurture it. Each Homecoming brings new connections, new opportunities, and new possibilities for collaboration. In an era where digital connections often substitute for real relationships, there’s something profound about gathering in person, sharing stories, and building bonds that can transform lives.
As I left campus yesterday evening, I carried with me not just memories, but a renewed sense of purpose. The SpelHouse community isn’t just a network — it’s a living, breathing ecosystem of change-makers, dreamers, and achievers. In this sacred space, we’re reminded that our individual success stories are threads in a larger tapestry of Black excellence, one that continues to inspire and empower new generations to reach higher, dream bigger, and never forget the power of coming home.
Tony Clark is Professor of African American and Cultural Studies
