Barbados will be hosting the inaugural For Alumni by Alumni (FABA) Fest in June 2023. The festival, which is a new event by the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the USA is one of the newest events on the HSBCUs calendar.
This year’s event is a significant one because it commemorates the end of slavery in the United States which is known as Juneteenth. The event will emphasize black culture, music, philanthropy, scholarship, and networking. The festival will attract high net worth professionals and affluent black travellers from the USA and other countries.
The FABA festival was launched in early February 2023 at the Limegrove Lifestyle Centre in Holetown, Barbados. Director of the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc.’s office in the USA, Eusi Skeete, highlighted the significance of Barbados hosting the FABA festival. He sees the event as a “continuation of a very strong relationship” between Barbados, HBCUs and black travellers in the USA. He also recognised the impact of African American travellers especially since Barbados is trying to attract more USA visitors to its shores.
Founder of the FABA festival LaChanda Ricks, fell in love with Barbados on a previous trip. This love for the island fuelled the suggestion that Barbados should be the location for the first-ever FABA festival. She reminded the audience that HBCU alumni “strive to do great things.” And, to capture that spirit, showcase black excellence, and have fun, they decided to celebrate in Barbados.
Booking.comFABA Fest Schedule
The inaugural event will include a college fair, community service activities, a golf tournament, and activities around the island. Here is a schedule of events:
16 June 2023
8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.: Golf at the Sandy Lane Country Club, St. James
1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.: The Illustrious Island Tailgate at Worthing Square, Christ Church
8:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m.: Yard Fest – Sands to the Beach D9 Love Party at the Copacabana Beach Club in Bridgetown, St. Michael
17 June 2023
8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.: Excellence in Service – Community Impact Project
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.: HBCU College Fair at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre in St. Michael
3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.: HBCU Battle of the Boats sunset cruise
8:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.: HBCU x Love Crop Over at the Copacabana Beach Club in Bridgetown, St. Michael
18 June 2023
11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.: Polo n Parlay – The Brunch Finale at Holders Field in St. James
For more information about FABA festival, visit the official FABA Fest website.
Source: Destination Barbados First To Host FABA Fest June 15 – 18 (Barbados Government Information Service)
Image: Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc.
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