bernard
THEE Realist
PORTLAND, Ore. (February 10, 2026) – The Portland Trail Blazers and Alaska Airlines are teaming up for the third annual HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) to the Pros weekend later this month, an expansive weekend of community engagement and performances showcasing the HBCU experience across Portland. For the first time, the weekend will feature marching bands from two Universities. Members of the Southern University (Baton Rouge, Louisiana) Human Jukebox Marching Band, along with members of the Prairie View A&M (Prairie View, Texas) Marching Storm Band, will fly to Portland, courtesy of Portland’s #1 airline Alaska Airlines, for a weekend celebrating the HBCU experience and HBCU / D9 alumni. The highlight of the weekend will be a special halftime performance during the Trail Blazers matchup against the Denver Nuggets on February 20.
The weekend celebration will kick off on Thursday, February 19, with a free community event at Portland Community College Cascade Gym (600 N Killingsworth St., Portland OR, 97217) beginning at 4:30 p.m. The event will be free and open to the public, and feature performances from local dance and music groups, tabling from various groups including D9 alumni and both universities, and the first performances of the weekend from the Marching Storm Band and Human Jukebox Marching Band in Portland. Prior to the game on Friday evening, both organizations will host a private HBCU Legacy Mixer for local high school students featuring a college and career exploration event focused on creating and living your legacy, with current professionals who are HBCU alumni and members of fraternities and sororities of the Divine 9 at Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
Fans will have multiple opportunities to enjoy the unforgettable experience of both bands throughout the game night. Prior to tip, catch the bands participating in the Pregame Parade presented by Polar Beverages throughout the 100 and 300 Level concourses. At halftime, stay in your seats for a showstopping halftime performance with the bands taking over the Moda Center court with a legendary HBCU marching band performance that is sure to make you get up and dance. In addition to the band, the Blazer Dancers will be joined by special guests from Southern’s Fabulous Dancing Dolls and PVAMU’s Black Foxes for a performance out on the court during a break in the game action.
The weekend celebration will kick off on Thursday, February 19, with a free community event at Portland Community College Cascade Gym (600 N Killingsworth St., Portland OR, 97217) beginning at 4:30 p.m. The event will be free and open to the public, and feature performances from local dance and music groups, tabling from various groups including D9 alumni and both universities, and the first performances of the weekend from the Marching Storm Band and Human Jukebox Marching Band in Portland. Prior to the game on Friday evening, both organizations will host a private HBCU Legacy Mixer for local high school students featuring a college and career exploration event focused on creating and living your legacy, with current professionals who are HBCU alumni and members of fraternities and sororities of the Divine 9 at Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
Fans will have multiple opportunities to enjoy the unforgettable experience of both bands throughout the game night. Prior to tip, catch the bands participating in the Pregame Parade presented by Polar Beverages throughout the 100 and 300 Level concourses. At halftime, stay in your seats for a showstopping halftime performance with the bands taking over the Moda Center court with a legendary HBCU marching band performance that is sure to make you get up and dance. In addition to the band, the Blazer Dancers will be joined by special guests from Southern’s Fabulous Dancing Dolls and PVAMU’s Black Foxes for a performance out on the court during a break in the game action.
