Bringston University: Exploring the Fictional HBCU of "All American: Homecoming"
The CW's sports drama All American captivated audiences with its portrayal of high school football star Spencer James. Building on this success, creator Nkechi Okoro Carroll introduced a spin-off series, All American: Homecoming, which delves into the world of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) through the experiences of students at the fictional Bringston University. While All American: Homecoming showcases the ins and outs of pursuing a higher education at an HBCU, specifically focusing on the students of Bringston University in Atlanta, Ga., the series explores all aspects of the notoriously chaotic, convoluted, ramen-filled college experience.
The Vision Behind Bringston University
Nkechi Okoro Carroll, creator of the show, always dreamed of attending an HBCU. Her vision for Bringston involved accurately and proudly bringing the realities of Atlanta's college scene to the small screen, even if her show is filmed in Cali. Carroll aimed to create a "mecca of college experiences" with Bringston, drawing inspiration from the experiences of those close to her who attended HBCUs. She told Entertainment Weekly that her vision included "this sense of finding themselves and finding a place where they felt permission to be whatever version of Black they were and really explore what that means".
Fictional Location, Real Inspiration
The series is set against the backdrop of the HBCU experience at fictional Bringston University in Atlanta, where Black excellence is a way of life. The fictional college was first introduced in the form of a backdoor pilot during the third season of All American, which perfectly laid the groundwork for a college spin-off. Despite several scenes accurately depicting the bustling nature of a college campus and the poster-adorned brick walls of a dormitory, Homecoming wasn't shot at a real university. According to IMDb, All American: Homecoming saw California's Warner Brothers Burbank Studios - specifically Stage 29 - as one of its filming locations.
While Bringston University is not a real institution, its location is inspired by the Atlanta University Center Consortium (AUC), a collaboration of several HBCUs in Atlanta, Georgia. The AUC is home to four Historically Black Colleges & Universities.
Atlanta University Center Consortium
The Atlanta University Center Consortium is located at 156 Mildred St SW Atlanta, GA 30314. Atlanta is home to more than one HBCU, and over 57 colleges, and universities. It is ranked 7th in student enrollment among America’s largest urban areas. The most known are Morehouse and Spelman College to the general public which belongs to the Atlanta University Center. The AUC is a vibrant hub of Black intellectual and cultural life, comprising:
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- Clark Atlanta University: Formed from the consolidation of Atlanta University (the nation's first institution to award graduate degrees to African Americans in the South) and Clark College.
- Morehouse College: A historically Black men's liberal arts college, renowned for producing leaders in various fields.
- Spelman College: A historically Black women's liberal arts college, consistently ranked among the top HBCUs in the nation.
- Morehouse School of Medicine: A medical school with a focus on primary care and addressing health disparities in underserved communities.
These universities have many activities to enjoy and history to explore in this college neighborhood. Don’t miss the visit to Clark Atlanta University Art Museum and the Spelman College Museum of Fine Art. HBCUs campuses at Atlanta University Center brag a prominent group of alumni such as the N.A.A.C.P.’s Walter White, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Jackson Jr., social activist Julian Bond, actor Samuel L. Jackson, United States senator-elect Raphael Warnock, actress Keisha Knight Pulliam, and director Kenya Barris.
Showcasing the HBCU Experience
All American: Homecoming distinguishes itself by placing the HBCU experience at the forefront. As Désirée Raymond, an alumna of Spelman and Hampton University, noted, many shows tend to place Black characters in predominantly white settings, whereas Homecoming makes the HBCU the central focus.
The series delves into aspects of HBCU life, such as:
- Market Fridays where students can shop from local Black vendors.
- Hump Wednesdays featuring popup concert performances.
- The long-awaited family reunion at homecoming.
- The essence of HBCUs to the students who attend them.
The show's creator and writers infuse storylines with Black history, exploring discussions about race, Blackness, and the role it plays in identity. Carroll explained to Entertainment Weekly that she vowed to fill her storylines with Black history and that "My writers [and I] take a lot of pride in infusing both shows with additional facts about us as a people, our history, our culture because it's important. So much of people's sense of self and identity comes from what they think their history is".
Representation and Authenticity
Nkechi Okoro Carroll takes representation seriously, and the ever-growing All American universe is better for it. Nkechi Okoro Carroll is not interested in catering to white viewers who may be unfamiliar with HBCUs. Rather, she wants to allow audience members to find their own entry point in each of these characters’ storylines.
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The show aims to provide authentic depictions of Black life, avoiding the trap of catering to a white audience. As FAMU senior Maya Afeni Williams stated, "I want to see us, but I don’t want it to be geared for white people to understand. If they don’t understand, that’s OK - it’s not for them to understand."
Authenticity extends to the show's portrayal of Black athletes. Smith, who plays baseball player Damon Sims, hopes to showcase Black athletic representation beyond the typical football-basketball focus, highlighting the presence and excellence of Black athletes in sports like baseball.
Addressing Real-World Issues
All American: Homecoming doesn't shy away from tackling real-world issues that affect HBCU students. One episode addressed the issue of bomb threats, which have been a reality for many HBCUs. Another episode tackled racial profiling, mirroring an incident faced by Delaware State’s lacrosse team. Jackson said, “We really wanted to put these stories out there so that people see that these things happen".
HBCUs in Media
Premiering Monday on The CW, the pilot of “Homecoming,” a spinoff of the L.A.-set high school drama “All American,” stars Clark Atlanta University alumna Geffri Maya and “The Quad’s” Peyton Alex Smith, who briefly attended Florida A&M University, in a story set at the fictional Bringston University in Atlanta. Infused in All American: Homecoming‘s storytelling is the essence of HBCUs to the students who attend them.
All American: Homecoming joins a growing number of films and series that choose HBCUs as their backdrop. Among them shows filmed in the AUC: A Different World, School Daze, A Different World, ATL, Stomp the Yard, Drumline, The Quad, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, and Hidden Figures.
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The Future of Bringston
After a drama-filled and impactful season, viewers are wondering what’s next for All American: Homecoming. After a long time, HBCUs are finally being highlighted in mainstream media. The series explores the challenges and obstacles Simone faces as she adjusts to life at an HBCU and navigates the complex dynamics of race, class, and identity.
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