Three Atlanta HBCU Events, From a Campus Run to a Movie on the Lawn

Clark Atlanta runs its Homecoming 5k as a morning walk and run that pulls alumni, students, and the neighborhood onto one course, and Panther Pride is the whole point, less about pace than about who you see along the way. Expect red everywhere and a slow first mile.

Later in the season the university throws open its campus for an Open House, where prospective students and families tour facilities, meet departments, and get a read on daily life. Bring questions about majors and housing.

Down by Mercedes-Benz Stadium, BackYARD Fest turns The Home Depot Backyard into an ode to Atlanta's HBCU culture, with food trucks, a vendor market, lawn games, and an outdoor movie once the sun drops. The lawn fills early, and a blanket with a spot near the screen beats arriving at showtime. It reads as a citywide cookout more than a ticketed show.

Access differs by event, and the Open House is aimed at prospective students and families rather than the general public. The Homecoming 5k asks for race registration, and BackYARD Fest runs on its own ticketing. Confirm dates, start times, and entry with each organizer before you travel to Atlanta.