Beyonce's BeyGOOD Foundation awards a $100K grant to Texas Southern's marching band.
Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, the globally renowned singer and philanthropist, has made a significant contribution to Texas Southern University's Ocean of Soul Marching Band. Through her BeyGOOD Foundation, she donated $100,000 in July 2025, a move that is set to empower student musicians and elevate the band's artistic expression.
The grant, aimed at funding scholarships, enhancing recruitment and retention efforts, and upgrading band infrastructure and technology, follows the Ocean of Soul's high-profile performance with Beyoncé herself during the 2024 NFL Christmas Day halftime show, popularly dubbed the "Beyoncé Bowl." Over 200 band members shared the stage with the artist, marking a powerful celebration of Houston pride.
The donation is a significant demonstration of the BeyGOOD Foundation's commitment to empowering student musicians and elevating their form of artistic expression. University leadership and the band director have expressed deep appreciation, emphasizing that the support is more than financial assistance—it symbolizes a broader investment in students, the band’s heritage, and its continued growth.
The grant will open transformative opportunities for students inspired by Beyoncé’s example, demonstrating how philanthropy can uplift communities and ignite futures. This donation is part of Beyoncé’s ongoing commitment to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), following earlier initiatives such as her Homecoming Scholars Award Program that awarded scholarships to HBCU students.
Texas Southern University President J.W. Crawford III expressed his gratitude for the BeyGOOD Foundation's donation, stating that it strengthens the university's mission of academic and cultural leadership while providing tangible resources for the Marching Band’s advancement. Charlie Coleman III, senior associate vice president of development & alumni engagement, added that the partnership with BeyGOOD Foundation opens doors for students to engage with the arts in transformative ways.
This latest donation is not Beyoncé's first foray into supporting HBCUs. In 2018, she launched the Homecoming Scholars Award Program, which awards $25,000 scholarships to students at several HBCUs. At least eight HBCUs, including Texas Southern, Xavier, Wilberforce, and Morehouse, have benefited from this program.
Meanwhile, Magic Johnson donated $500,000 to Xavier University, another testament to the growing support for HBCUs from prominent figures. As these donations continue to pour in, it is clear that the future of HBCU bands is looking brighter than ever.
The BeyGOOD Foundation's donation to Texas Southern University's Ocean of Soul Marching Band serves as a unique blend of technology, lifestyle, and world-class artistry, as it aims to upgrade the band's infrastructure and technology. This investment in education-and-self-development, particularly music, will empower student musicians and foster their growth.
Beyoncé's philanthropic endeavors, like the Homecoming Scholars Award Program, demonstrate her commitment to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), igniting learning opportunities and strengthening cultural heritage. Her efforts, combined with others like Magic Johnson's donation to Xavier University, highlight the increasing support for HBCUs from influential figures.
The entertainment industry's engagement with HBCUs, as seen in Beyoncé's high-profile performance with the Ocean of Soul during the 2024 NFL halftime show, showcases an appreciation for the rich tapestry of black artistic expression. These collaborations, rooted in home-and-garden values of community and heritage, will undoubtedly shape the future of HBCU bands and inspire future generations.
As a result, the world will witness the transformative power of philanthropy, artistry, and learning, with the future of HBCUs standing on a solid foundation of growth, cultural vibrancy, and innovative technology.
