HBCU Chess

  • Albany State hosts Hip-Hop Chess Icon, Adisa Banjoko

    Adisa Banjoko visited Albany State University at the invitation of the school’s “University College,” an entity supporting first- and second-year students. Banjoki is known to the chess world as the founder of the Hip Hop Chess Federation (HHCF), an organization founded in 2007 with the idea of using chess, martial arts,…

    Read More »
  • FAMU Chess Club shines at Club Fair!

    The FAMU Chess Club participated in the school’s club fair with about 40 other campus organizations. This was the first activity for the chess-playing Rattlers since being officially recognized as a club on January 28th. This is the first time in more than 20 years that there has been an…

    Read More »
  • Howard University Chess preparing for 2025 Pan-Ams

    Howard University Chess Club is preparing for the 2025 Pan-Am Intercollegiate tournament to be held in Charlotte, North Carolina, January 2-5, 2025. The club’s President, Lawrence Custis, has announced the club’s participation and is holding a fundraiser to cover expenses. The Howard Chess Club has participated in the Pan-Ams on several occasions,…

    Read More »
  • Howard University Chess Club approaches 100 years!

    Howard University, founded in 1867, is a preeminent institution of higher learning. Jamaal Abdul-Alim has been an unofficial advisor to the chess club for several years, helping the organization in various areas, including a recent historical project. Currently an adjunct professor at the University of Maryland, he is keen on the…

    Read More »
  • HBCU Chess Spotlight: Alan Cowan

    Alan Cowan was co-valedictorian of Morehouse College’s 2023 graduating class. He kindled an intense interest in finance and now works in venture capital for Mosaic General Partnership in San Francisco. Apart from his academic achievements, he executed one of the most potentially impactful ideas in American chess. In 2020, Cowan…

    Read More »
  • Reflections on the 2024 HBCU Chess Classic

    Nearly a month has passed since the HBCU Chess Classic ended in Atlanta, Georgia. Held April 20th and 21st, it was the second edition of an important movement for chess at “HBCUs” or Historically-Black Colleges & Universities. Certainly, getting chess on more HBCU campuses may help students see the intrinsic…

    Read More »
  • HBCU Chess Spotlight: Spelman College

    Jamila Thompson is a graduating senior at Spelman College. The native New Yorker was taught chess by her father and continued her passion as a collegiate. While at Spelman, she joined other chess players in the Atlanta University Center (AUC) to match wits. Morehouse College hosted the club meetings and…

    Read More »
  • HBCU Chess Spotlight: Hampton University

    Hampton University traveled 22 hours to the 2024 HBCU Chess Classic in Atlanta after a last-minute effort by the Hampton Alumni Association to fund their travel. As Breon McCray III described it, they nearly had to nix the trip when they could not raise the requisite funds to travel. They…

    Read More »
  • HBCU Chess Spotlight: North Carolina A&T

    North Carolina A&T Aggies, 1st place team (2024 HBCU Chess Classic)Photo by Daaim Shabazz/The Chess Drum Dressed in their North Carolina A&T gear, “Aggie Pride” was on full display at the 2024 HBCU Chess Classic. Currently the largest HBCU, the Aggies rode six hours from North Carolina to Atlanta to…

    Read More »
  • HBCU Chess Spotlight: Howard University

    Howard University has a long and esteemed history as an institution. One of the most well-known universities in the country, it also doubles as a premier HBCU (Historically Black College and University). There is also a very long history in terms of chess. Journalist Jamaal Abdul-Alim gave a presentation to…

    Read More »
Back to top button