Walmart’s Black & Unlimited HBCU tour kicks off Central State University’s Homecoming

Walmart helped Central State University launch its series of annual Homecoming festivities on Oct. 10 by stopping into campus for a full-day activation event that brought a live DJ, interactive festival booths, and speech presentations provided by partnered entrepreneurs and influencers.  

The activation event was hosted by Fly Guy DC, an Atlanta-based influencer and talk show host who regularly interviews up-and-coming artists and is a supporter of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Other special guests, all HBCU alumni, taking part in the day’s proceedings included actor Terrence J, entertainment attorney and label executive John T. Rose, and influencer Shakaria Boles, who all spoke during a “How to Turn Your Passion Into Profit Revolt Panel,” exploring such topics as: 

• How to find a side hustle that is a good fit for you  

• How to set up your side hustle  

• How to market and promote your side hustle  

• How to manage your time and finances  

• How to avoid burnout    

Along with members of Central State’s Student Government Association (SGA) and Royal Court, select Marauders operated the activities being offered — including a 360-degree photo booth — and ran their own creative spaces. 

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Rashantae McCartney, a junior majoring in Graphic Design, facilitated the sneaker-customizing booth, using a variety of brushes, sprays, and electronic devices to color and alter shoes brought to her by those wishing to spruce up their footwear.  

Hailing from the Bahamas, McCartney specifically chose Central State for the scholarship opportunities she was provided and for the singular artistic and graphic design offerings at the school.   

“I’m kind of freestyling it as I go,” McCartney said about the work she was doing at the event. “It’s something I’ve been doing a lot in my spare time, ever since 2020, during (COVID-19). I’ve always been a shoe head, and as soon as I found out you could paint shoes, I was like, ‘What?! I can do that!’ I just started doing it, and I loved it. Today, I’m doing mostly a Homecoming theme, the school’s colors.”  

McCartney got involved in the activation event after seeing an Instagram post promoting it. In looking deeper into the post, she saw Walmart was seeking graphic designers who might want to be active participants in the event. McCartney sent her contact information, and — thanks in part to two recommendations she received from campus representatives — she was welcomed in to run the free shoe-customizing booth. 

“I’m grateful I’m here,” McCartney said while painting a pair of otherwise white high-top sneakers. “This is a great opportunity for exposure, especially since a lot of people came up to me today to say they didn’t know that I do this. I’m glad I’m able to showcase my talents here on campus today.”  

“I saw everybody coming out to this event, and I wanted to come out too,” said Regi’auna Blair, a freshman Biology major from Detroit, Michigan, who “either want(s) to be a mortician or a forensic scientist.”  

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Blair enjoyed having her photograph taken at the headshot booth, explaining that she’s been delighted by unique events at Central State such as the activation event. 

“It’s Homecoming Week, so I really wanted to come out and see my Black family,” Blair continued. “Even though I just got here to Central State, I’ve really seen how everybody sticks together, everybody’s got each other’s backs. It’s one community, and things like this really showcase that. 

“In this case, I’ve really been enjoying listening to the DJ’s music outside, looking at the girl doing the shoes, and seeing what else is going on here. And then there’s the pictures, and I really wanted to get mine taken. I love that. I wanted to get into the action, so why not?” 

The headshots Blair had made — free of charge along with everything else at the activation event — were taken by sophomore Exercise Science major Kristopher King. 

“Photography is a real passion for me,” the Columbus native said. “It’s something I’ve been doing since I was sixteen. I was really into high school basketball, and there was this guy who was taking pictures of one of my favorite players. I thought his pictures were really cool. I started following him online, and that made me want to get into sports and street photography, too.”  

King agrees with Blair that a primary draw of choosing Central State for his college experience is the “family environment” that the campus exudes. King’s aunt used to work at the school, as well, and that was how the school first came to his attention.  

“I really like how much of a family it feels like here,” King said. “For example, the way I ended up here today is that my friend on the SGA knew I was into photography and came to me to ask if I wanted to be a part of this, because he wanted to recommend me for it. He told the people putting on the event about me, and here I am. It’s been going pretty well. At first, I was a little nervous. But as the day kept moving along, I started seeing more people I know, and it’s been really fun.” 

“We were one of only four schools selected by Walmart to host their tour stops around the country,” said Kimberly Jones, Central State’s Director of Strategic Partnerships and External Affairs. “All four schools were HBCUs, and we were the very first stop on the tour.” 

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The activation event came together quickly, with Walmart having reached out to Jones a mere two weeks before Homecoming Week.  

“They told us this would be a great opportunity to amplify the University,” Jones said. “With their tour’s ‘Black & Unlimited’ theme, Walmart’s goal was to show that students at HBCUs are hardworking, great in the classroom, and great in the things that they do to help support and finance their schooling through entrepreneurial skills that the event was really highlighting. 

“And they were able to do this by identifying our three students who ran the photography studio, barber shop, and area where our graphic designer was customizing shoes. The whole point was for Walmart to shine a light on our students as entrepreneurs. Staff and students agreed this was the first time something of this magnitude happened on campus, and that it was great. It really kicked off our whole Homecoming Week in such an exciting way.”