We recently connected with Hollywood Homecoming Weekend and have shared our conversation below.

Hollywood Homecoming, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

Hollywood Homecoming Weekend strives to bring together entrepreneurs, artists, and brands for the purpose to engage the Los Angeles community, give underprivileged students access to scholarships, and raise awareness of historically black colleges and universities (HBCU). With a variety of activities and a representation of different artists, businesses, and entrepreneurs. Whatever the institution, if it’s an HBCU, a college or university, or a trade school, our objective is to inspire students to pursue higher education.

In order to close equity inequalities in communities of color, we measure wealth in terms of education and seek to do so by providing them with knowledge and opportunities. We must finally bridge that gap.

Through HBCU education and admission tools, scholarships, and events, we provide a space where higher education is an attainable goal for Black and Brown students and serve as role models for how everything is possible, no matter what the circumstances.

Hollywood Homecoming, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Hollywood Homecoming Weekend (HHW) is a remarkable non-profit organization dedicated to providing underprivileged youth in Los Angeles with educational resources, an authentic HBCU experience, and valuable scholarships. Established with a strong vision and a deep commitment to empowering disadvantaged students, HHW has made a significant impact in the community since its inception.

The story of how Hollywood Homecoming Weekend got into the industry is rooted in the passion and determination of its founder, Paris Roberts. Being a first-generation college graduate himself, Paris recognized the importance of education and the transformative power it holds. Inspired by his own experiences and the lack of opportunities for marginalized students, he set out to bridge the gap and create a pathway for success.

HHW offers a wide range of services designed to empower underprivileged youth and provide them with the resources they need to excel academically and personally. These services include mentorship programs, college preparation workshops, scholarship opportunities, and immersive HBCU experiences. By partnering with local schools, community organizations, and dedicated volunteers, HHW ensures that students have access to comprehensive support systems that foster their personal growth and educational aspirations.

One of the primary problems HHW addresses is the lack of educational resources and opportunities faced by underprivileged students. By offering mentorship and college preparation workshops, HHW equips students with the tools they need to navigate the complex college application process, secure financial aid, and make informed decisions about their academic futures. Additionally, the organization’s scholarship programs alleviate the financial burden many students face, enabling them to pursue higher education without the fear of overwhelming debt.

What sets Hollywood Homecoming Weekend apart from other organizations is its unique focus on providing an authentic HBCU experience to Los Angeles youth. By organizing an annual HBCU homecoming, cultural events and more, HHW exposes students to the rich history, traditions, and supportive environments that HBCUs offer. This exposure not only broadens their horizons but also helps them envision themselves thriving in a nurturing academic setting that celebrates their cultural identity.

HHW takes immense pride in its ability to foster meaningful connections between students and HBCUs. By facilitating these connections, the organization opens doors to life-changing opportunities for underprivileged youth who may not have otherwise considered attending college or exploring the unique benefits that HBCUs provide.

In essence, Hollywood Homecoming Weekend is a beacon of hope and opportunity for underprivileged youth in Los Angeles. The organization’s dedication to providing educational resources, fostering an authentic HBCU experience, and offering scholarships will be instrumental in breaking cycles of poverty and creating pathways to success for deserving students. HHW’s impact extends far beyond academic support; it instills confidence, resilience, and a sense of belonging in students who may have felt marginalized or overlooked. It is an organization driven by the belief that every student deserves a chance to excel, and it continues to make a profound difference in the lives of those it serves.

We’d love to hear about how you met your business partner.

Hollywood Homecoming Weekend is bigger than everyone, Paris knew this and had to search for a team. When Paris started to search for his team members, he wanted to select people he could trust and were somewhat close to him. The first person he recruited was his girlfriend Selena Stroble, she has a financial background and is great with numbers. He knew he would need security and a very responsible person for correspondence so he recruited his cousin Hezekiah Johnson and his girlfriend Kristen Lee. Networking is a skillset that is very important. With Paris being apart of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, he had a great network in his hands. His fraternity brother Clarevonte Williams was the next person he recruited to handle business activities. The most important aspect that would make Hollywood Homecoming Weekend fun is entertainment. Paris was referred to Raysean Smith through a fraternity brother that was at Morehouse for his Master’s Degree. When Paris connected with Ray, Ray’s background checked all the boxes that Paris was looking for. An HBCU grad, Social Media marketing experience along with music entertainment background. With this, Paris knew he had a team built for success.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

The entire journey of Hollywood Homecoming Weekend illustrates resilience. During the beginning stages which we are still in, a lot of people we had meetings with were initially interested. Since we had no proof of concept back then, they passed on us for partnership or sponsorship opportunities. For our initial tailgate event, we did not receive any monetary sponsorships. The initial non-profit filing, trademark filing, website creation, social media creation/management, tailgate venue, artists performing at venue, DJs, design/decor, bar catering and more all came out of pocket. Paris spent this money out of pocket because we believe in our cause and want to change the lives of underprivileged students. We’ve had late nights, roadblocks, ups and downs along with uncertainty on if everything would work. Physically, we would attend almost every event in Los Angeles to network and get our name out to the masses. Most interactions were positive regarding HHW while others resulted to people throwing down our flyers and promotion assets in front of us. With consistency and resilience, we were able to execute our event on July 2nd, 2023 and will be able to execute all future events at a high level.      

Contact Info:

• Website: https://hollywoodhomecomingweekend.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hollywoodhomecomingweekend/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y%3D
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HollywoodHomecomingWeekend
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/all/?fetchDeterministicClustersOnly=true&heroEntityKey=urn%3Ali%3Aorganization%3A82550711&keywords=hollywood%20homecoming%20weekend&origin=RICH_QUERY_SUGGESTION&position=0&searchId=0b5bc3b1-33b3-40e8-9a9f-81c661c396e6&sid=iaf