From the Nominator

"Howard University, known affectionately as "the Mecca" among its students and alumni, created a "hype" video to bring awareness to its first in-person homecoming celebration post COVID-19. Homecoming is a very important and storied tradition at Howard University—one that reunites alumni, celebrates its culture and traditions, and brings pride to the university that embodies and produces Black excellence. 

Because it was the first one since the pandemic, we chose a futuristic theme of the "Meccaverse" to link our alumni (our rich past) to the future (the metaverse). The theme echoes tradition with what's coming next for the university. The video was used to create a sci-fi effect so that members of the university can be introduced to the concept of the Meccaverse before they return to campus for the actual week of homecoming events. At the same time, we went with a 1980s concept of the future to resonate with older alumni who would remember what the "future" resembled during their days on campus. 

Alumni and the greater Howard community loved it. It excited them about the return to a full in-person homecoming and a return to beloved traditions they feared would be lost to the pandemic. The video helped recapture those moments and instill a sense of pride, excitement, and energy that is always behind our memorable homecomings."

From the Judges

The judges were captivated by the nomination’s good vibe, which effectively captured the contagious excitement of the community. The use of 70s videography added a nostalgic charm and authenticity to the content, further enhancing the overall appeal. The judges expressed their admiration for the nominator’s ability to create an engaging and visually captivating experience.