by Curtis Bunn
—ARTICULITE POETRY, MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE
“Other than the birth of my children and my wedding day, Morehouse College has been the best thing that ever happened in my life! Morehouse took a scared and naïve boy from Buffalo, New York and shaped and motivated him into a man. Relationships that I’ve developed during my college years are still my closest friends today. They were my groomsmen, godfathers to my children, business consultants and confidants. Seven years ago I started to rent executive coach buses for homecoming for a few reasons. First, it was an opportunity for us to fellowship and laugh at the hair we were losing and the weight we were gaining. Secondly, this was a way for us to have our children meet and get to know each other in a wonderful environment. Finally, it was the best tailgate party in the history of football! One of the best days I had last year was when I hosted a lunch with 10 Spelman and Morehouse freshmen and sophomores. They were all sons and daughters of friends that I attended college with. It was great to see our sons and daughters becoming successful men and women. This is just another blessing from Morehouse College.”
—WILLIAM MITCHELL, MOREHOUSE COLLEGE, CLASS OF 1984
“They say college is when you’re supposed to ‘find yourself’ so I chose an HBCU to make sure I would find myself among my people. And I instantly felt at home. All of my wildest, funniest, craziest and all-around greatest memories of college are from homecoming. There’s nothing like a Howard homecoming. It’s something every young person should experience at least once . . .or more than once if you can handle it.”
—NAEESA AZIZ, HOWARD UNIVERSITY, CLASS OF 2006
“I will never forget my first homecoming experience and the genuine love and happiness amongst the CSU family. The atmosphere of the whole day was one that had me in a trance and there was no question that CSU was the place for me. Each day on campus was a learning experience and when you’re obtaining knowledge and culture in an educational environment, it’s always a step in the right direction.”
—FRANKLIN WHITE, CENTRAL STATE UNIVERSITY
“Every fall I look forward to the Virginia Union homecoming celebration. I enjoy going to the ‘hole,’ which is the Kappa frat room on campus in the basement of Storer Hall. Gathering with the brothers from Alpha Gamma, reminiscing on the days gone, reminds me of the things I wouldn’t want my son to do, but I sure had fun doing them. Homecoming weekend at VUU gives me the opportunity to reconnect with my extended family and rejoice in the lifelong education I received in the classroom and hanging on the ‘yard.’”
—J.B. HILL, VIRGINIA UNION UNIVERSITY, CLASS OF 1990
“As a native of Detroit, MI., I didn’t know what to expect as I passed through red clay roads encompassed with livestock, blue jays and red robins en route to my freshman year at Alabama State University. Turned out, a ‘newbie’ like me could not have asked for a more rich in culture steeped Hornet pride with the most passionate educators and administrators. My HBCU experience enriched my life tremendously through education and by instilling African-American pride and reminding me of the struggles of others before me. Our homecoming, The Turkey Day Classic, fills your heart with pride and joy, as alumni return from all ages and walks of life. And those Mighty Marching Hornets . . . lifetime impressions. A. S. A. S. A. S. A.S. . . .U!! Clap clap clap, clap clap clap!”
—TAMELA ALLEN JONES, ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY, CLASS OF 1997
“I am proud that I went to an HBCU. I always knew that I would attend Morgan State University because of the way it gave back to my community. Morgan State made me feel like extended family. The school laid the foundation for me for the importance of community service. Homecoming is a chance to catch up with old friends and to celebrate the success of their lives because of this great institution.”
—ANGELA BELTON, MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY, CLASS OF 2006
“When I think of our homecoming at Morris Brown, I hear the drumline and see the drum majors high-stepping onto the yard ahead of Bubbling Brown Sugar, the dance team. This scenario always stirs up nostalgia: hanging on the yard between classes; chilling in the dorm social areas for hours; talking trash over Spades; Greeks stepping; going to football games. It’s a special time of reminiscing and catching up. Although Morris Brown has had its financial and accreditation issues, the spirit of the Brownite Alumni remains strong. The large number of graduates converging on the yard from all over the country showed that at homecoming. We continue to have pride in the purple and black of dear ’ole Morris Brown. I would never trade my experience of going to Morris Brown for anything. Go Wolverines!!”
—SHERLINE TAVERNIER, MORRIS BROWN COLLEGE, CLASS OF 1994
“I’ll never forget the feeling of love, support, and pride I experienced when I entered Winston-Salem State University (WSSU Mighty Rams!) as a freshman. The valuable life-lessons I received from caring faculty, staff and my fellow students impacted me in a powerful way, providing a nurturing environment that allowed me to grow into adulthood with a greater sense of purpose. Ask anyone who has attended an HBCU and they will tell you that it is an experience like no other—and in particular, homecoming! Every year I look forward to this special and time-honored tradition at my school. What’s homecoming like at an HBCU? Imagine a joyful family reunion held during Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, and the Fourth of July wrapped into one! Beautiful black people coming together in this spirit of love and fellowship to reminisce, support, celebrate, and give back to the community while supporting our treasured academic institutions. I will forever be grateful to WSSU and all our sister HBCUs!”
—TRICE HICKMAN, WINSTON-SALEM STATE UNIVERSITY, CLASS OF 1991
HISTORICALLY BLACK
COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
Alabama A&M University
Normal, AL
Alabama State University
Montgomery, AL
Albany State University
Albany, NY
Alcorn State University
Lorman, MS
Allen University
Columbia, SC
Arkansas Baptist College
Little Rock, AK
Benedict College
Columbia, SC
Bennett College
Greensboro, NC
Bethune-Cookman University
Daytona Beach, FL
Bishop State Community College
Mobile, AL
Bluefield State College
Bluefield, WV
Bowie State University
Bowie, MD
Central State University
Wilberforce, OH
Claflin University
Orangeburg, SC
Clark Atlanta University
Atlanta, GA
Clinton Junior College
Rock Hill, SC
Coahoma Community College
Clarksdale, MS
Concordia College–Selma
Selma, AL
Coppin State University
Baltimore, MD
Delaware State University
Dover, DE
Denmark Technical College
Denmark, SC
Dillard University
New Orleans, LA
Edward Waters College
Jacksonville, FL
Elizabeth City State University
Elizabeth City, NC
Fayetteville State University
Fayetteville, NC
Fisk University
Nashville, TN
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
Tallahassee, FL
Florida Memorial University
Miami Gardens, FL
Fort Valley State University
Ft. Valley, GA
Gadsden State Community College
Gadsden, AL
Grambling State University
Grambling, LA
H Councill Trenholm State Technical College
Montgomery, AL
Hampton University
Hampton, VA
Har
ris-Stowe State University
St. Louis, MO
Hinds Community College–Utica
Utica, MS
Howard University
Washington, D.C.
Huston-Tillotson University
Lorman, MS
Interdenominational Theological Center
Atlanta, GA
J F Drake State Technical College
Huntsville, AL
Jackson State University
Jackson, MS
Jarvis Christian College
Hawkins, TX
Johnson C Smith University
Charlotte, NC
Kentucky State University
Frankfort, KY
Lane College
Jackson, TN
Langston University
Langston, OK
Lawson State Community College–Birmingham
Birmingham, AL
LeMoyne-Owen College
Memphis, TN
Lincoln University
Jefferson City, MO
Lincoln University of Pennsylvania
Lincoln University, PA
Livingstone College
Salisbury, NC
Meharry Medical College
Nashville, TN
Miles College
Fairfield, AL
Mississippi Valley State University
Itta Bena, MS
Morehouse College
Atlanta, GA
Morehouse School of Medicine
Atlanta, GA
Morgan State University
Baltimore, MD
Morris College
Sumter, SC
Norfolk State University
Norfolk, VA
North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University
Greensboro, NC
North Carolina Central University
Durham, NC
Oakwood University
Huntsville, AL
Paine College
Augusta, GA
Paul Quinn College
Dallas, TX
Philander Smith College
Little Rock, AK
Prairie View A&M University
Prairie View, TX
Rust College
Holly Springs, MS
Saint Augustine’s College
Raleigh, NC
Saint Paul’s College
Lawrenceville, VA
Savannah State University
Savannah, GA
Selma University
Selma, AL
Shaw University
Raleigh, NC
Shelton State Community College
Tuscaloosa, AL
South Carolina State University
Orangeburg, SC
Southern University and A&M College
Baton Rouge, LA
Southern University at New Orleans
New Orleans, LA
Southern University at Shreveport
Shreveport, LA
Southwestern Christian College
Terrell, TX
Spelman College
Atlanta, GA
St. Philip’s College
San Antonio, TX
Stillman College
Tuscaloosa, AL
Talladega College
Talladega, AL
Tennessee State University
Nashville, TN
Texas College
Tyler, TX
Texas Southern University
Houston, TX
Tougaloo College
Tougaloo, MS
Tuskegee University
Tuskegee, AL
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
Pine Bluff, AK
University of Maryland Eastern Shore
Princess Anne, MD
University of the District of Columbia
Washington, D.C.
University of the Virgin Islands
Charlotte Amalie, Virgin Islands
University of the Virgin Islands–Kingshill
St. Croix, Virgin Islands
Virginia State University
Petersburg, VA
Virginia Union University
Richmond, VA
Virginia University of Lynchburg
Lynchburg, VA
Voorhees College
Denmark, SC
West Virginia State University
Institute, WV
Wilberforce University
Wilberforce, OH
Wiley College
Marshall, TX
Winston-Salem State University
Winston-Salem, NC
Xavier University of Louisiana
New Orleans, LA
IF YOU ENJOYED “HOMECOMING WEEKEND,” BE SURE TO CHECK OUT
A
COLD
PIECE
OF
WORK
A NOVEL
BY CURTIS BUNN
AVAILABLE FROM STREBOR BOOKS
CHAPTER 1
LOVE TO LOVE YOU
The force of his thrusts pushed her to the edge of the four-poster bed. She was lathered as much in satisfaction as she was in sweat, exhilarated and weary—and unable to hold herself atop the mattress against his unrelenting strikes. A different kind of man would have postponed the passion; at least long enough to pull up her naked, vulnerable body.
But Solomon Singletary was hardly one to subscribe to conventional thinking or deeds. He always had a point to prove and always was committed to proving it—with actions, not words.
And so, Solomon thrust on . . . and on, until they, as one, careened onto the carpet together, she cushioning his fall from beneath him. So paralyzed in pleasure was she that she never felt the impact of the tumble. Rather, she found humor that they made love clean across the bed and onto the floor, and she found delight that the fall did not disengage them.
Solomon lost neither his connection to her nor his cadence, and stroked her on the carpet just as he had on the sheets—purposefully, unrelentingly, deeply.
“What are you trying to do?” she asked. “Make love to me? Or make me love you?”
Solomon did not answer—not with words. He continued to speak the language of passion, rotating his hips forward, as one would a hula-hoop. Her shapely, chocolate legs were airborne and his knees were carpet-burned raw, but hardly did he temper his pace.
His answer: Both.
She finally spoke the words that slowed Solomon. “Okay, okay,” she said. “Okay.” She gave in, and that pleased Solomon. She would have said the words earlier—before they tumbled off the bed—but he never allowed her to catch her breath. All she could make were indecipherable sounds.
“I mean, damn,” she said, panting. “We’re good together . . . Damn.”
Solomon kissed her on her left shoulder and rolled off her and onto the floor, on his wide, strong back. He looked up toward the dark ceiling illuminated by the single candle on the nightstand, so pleased with himself that a smile formed on his face.
Then he dozed off right there on the floor. She didn’t bother to wake him. Instead, she reached up and pulled the comforter off the bed and over both of them. She nestled her head on his hairy chest, smiled to herself and drifted off to sleep with him, right there on the floor.
That was the last time she saw Solomon Singletary. And he only saw her a few times, but only in dreams that did not make much sense.
“I wish I knew what the hell it meant,” he said to his closest friend, Raymond. He and Ray became tight five years earlier, when they got paired together during a round of golf at Mystery Valley in Lithonia, just east of Atlanta. They had a good time, exchanged numbers and ended up becoming not only golf buddies, but also great friends.
Ray was very much the opposite of Solomon. He was not as tall but just as handsome, and he was charismatic and likeable, in a different way. Solomon was sort of regal to some, arrogant to others. Ray was more every man. He had a wife of seven years, Cynthia, and a six-year-old son, Ray-Ray. He was stable.
Solomon knew a lot of people, but only liked some and trusted only a few. He really only tolerated most; especially the various women who ran in and out of his life like some nagging virus. “In the end,” he told Ray, “the one person you can trust is yourself. And even with that, how many times have you lied to yourself?”
Ray figured there was something deep inside Solomon that would bring him to such feelings, and he figured if Solomon wanted him to know, he would have told him. So he never asked. Ray and Solomon coveted each other’s friendship and had a certain trust. And they shared most everything with each other.
Ray’s way was to provide levity when possible, which, for him, was practically all the time. His upbeat disposition seldom changed. If the Falcons lost a football game, he’d show disgust and disappointment for a while, but he’d let it go.
Solomon Singletary was not that way. He could be solemn at times, even-tempered at others and occasionally aggressive. Above all, he was quite adept at pulling people close to him. He had a unique ability to be open but remain private. He could be disinterested but still engaging. And those unique qualities made people open up to him; especially women.
“You’re so interesting,” Michele told him that last night together. “We’ve dated for six months. You try to act like you don’t love me, but you do; I can tell by how we make love. Why won’t you say you love me?”
“Come here.” Michele came over to him, to the edge of her bed. “Don’t get caught up on what I say to you or don’t say,” he said. “Worry about what I do to you; how I make you feel.”
“Is everything about sex with you?”
“See, I wasn’t even talking about sex. I was talking about how you feel inside, when we’re together, when you think of me,” Solomon said. “That’s more important than what I say. Right?”
Before she could answer, he leaned over and kissed her on the lips softly and lovingly. “What does that kiss say?”
“It says you want to make love,” Michele said sarcastically. “Some things can get lost in translation. That’s why you should say it. Plus, sometimes it’s just good to hear.”
“Hear this.” Solomon kissed Michele again. This time, it was not a peck, but a sustained coming together of lips and tongue and saliva. He leaned her back on the bed, and she watched as he pulled his tank top over his head, revealing his expansive chest and broad shoulders.
He smiled at her and she smiled back and the talk of saying “I love you” ceased.
