CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Over 8,000 people filled Bojangles Coliseum for the HBCU Culture Legacy Foundation Battle of the Bands.

On Nov. 6, six historically Black colleges and university bands battled it out, each receiving a $10,000 scholarship. 

HBCU Culture Legacy Foundation was started in 2018 by Frank Johnson and LaKeisha Johnson, who both attended Johnson C. Smith University. The mission of the nonprofit is based on Frank Johnson's personal story.

"Going into my senior year at Johnson C. Smith University, I marched in the band and had a partial scholarship. My dad became ill and eventually passed of diabetes complications," Johnson said.

His dad was helping to pay for his school, and once he died, Johnson dropped out of JCSU. He went to work so he could help his family.

"The reason we started this foundation and put on these shows is to raise funds for the kids and make sure they don't have to go through the same issue that I did," Johnson said. 

Battle of the Bands is a fundraiser event and raised $334,500 in Charlotte. HBCU Culture Legacy Foundations is still accepting donations.

HBCU Culture Legacy Foundation has provided over $900,000 in scholarships to students.