HOUSTON — Texas Southern University, one of nine historically Black colleges and universities in Texas, performed as part of the "We Are One" virtual pre-inauguration celebration Tuesday night honoring Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. TSU, along with several other HBCUs was selected to be featured in the event.

What You Need To Know

  • Texas Southern University's debate team performed a Reader's Theatre during the Biden-Harris virtual pre-inauguration event

  • "We Are One" celebrated Kamala Harris as the first Black and Asian woman elected vice president

  • The event featured a Battle of the Bands including several HBCU bands  

“We were extremely excited that we were selected and, of course, the students had a tough 2020 in terms of our debate schedule and the things that we were doing,” said Dr. Gloria Batiste-Roberts, debate coach and director. “We lost our founder and head coach emeritus Dr. Freeman in June, so we’re still grieving him. That loss was significant and dealing with all of the changes regarding COVID-19, so to hear that news at the beginning of the semester was overwhelming to the students.”

Four members of the debate team — Nahab Fahnbulleh, Maya Williams, Gloria Ekezie, and Trevor Mouton — did a two-minute presentation in what’s called a Reader’s Theatre. Batiste-Roberts wrote the script for the event, which she describes as a memorable moment in not only the school’s history but also for the students participating in the presentation.

“I related it to the inauguration, the excitement of the inauguration and being so proud particularly of the vice president who is, of course, of African-American culture and of course, Indian,” said Batiste-Roberts. “We are so excited that she attended an HBCU. So, we are saying we’re proud of her and congratulations to the Biden-Harris administration.”

In a post on Facebook, the school alerted its followers to their involvement in the Biden-Harris virtual celebration.

“It brings additional prestige to our university, to Texas Southern University and of course, the debate team as well,” said Batiste-Roberts. “I think when we bring positive reinforcement on the campus, when it shows that our students are doing the best to bring themselves up in a good way and make a difference in this country, that their voices are heard, I think that’s important to them.”

It took Batiste-Roberts two or three days to complete the script for the Reader’s Theatre. She admits that she was shocked to learn that the debate team would be a part of the virtual inauguration event. The presentation was filmed and submitted to the inaugural committee ahead of tonight’s performance.

“Once, I get the first line, I can go with it and when I finally got the first line I was able to develop the script,” she said. “I allowed my assistant coaches to hear the script. I wanted to get their feedback, because they are excellent and they are scholars in their own right, they’re brilliant themselves, and I figured if I could pass their assessment, then I did a good job.”

A battle of the bands featuring some of the most notable bands in HBCU culture, including Grambling State University’s World Famed Marching Band, Southern University’s Human Jukebox, Tennessee State University’s Aristocrat of Bands, South Carolina State University Marching 101, Jackson State University’s Sonic Boom of the South, Howard University, Delaware State University, and Florida A&M University’s March 100 took place. The Louisiana Institute All-Star Marching Band also participated.

Stacey Abrams, Sen. Cory Booker, Rev. Raphael Warnock, Kim Fields, Rep. Joyce Beatty, Leslie Jones, Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester, Jason George, Rep. Maxine Waters, Frankie Beverly, and Rep. Jim Clyburn also shared a few words ahead of the historic inauguration. Tobe Nwigwe, The O’Jays, The String Queens, Ranky Tanky, and Rapsody were among the musical acts that performed.  

“We know that the HBCUs were born out of turbulence and tragedy in an attempt to separate us,” Abrams said. “And what we are seeing happen in this nation today, what we saw happen in Georgia, first in November and again in January, is the compulsion to come together — the commitment to be one [and] to have a nation that sees us all and serves us all.”

Harris expressed her continued gratitude for the support she’s received leading up to Inauguration Day. In echoing previous sentiments she’s said before, she reminded America that her historic win as the first Black and South Asian female vice president would open doors for other women to walk through.

“I am clear that I stand on the shoulders of generations of Americans who have struggled and sacrificed to help our country live up to its promise of equality for all,” Harris said. “We are at the dawn of a new era for America and I come before you humbled by the faith you have put in me and President-elect Biden and ready to do the work and take on the crises that have disproportionately impacted the Black community and people of color. From the coronavirus pandemic to this economic recession to climate justice to systemic racism to strengthening our democracy, the president-elect and I are determined to build an America that is more equal and just for all people.”

As a graduate of Howard University and member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., the event paid homage to the long-standing tradition and history of HBCUs with remarks by Delaware State University president Dr. Tony Allen and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. international president and CEO, Glenda Glover.

“Black women, we didn’t give up,” Glover said. “We didn’t give out. We didn’t give in. We stayed in— the pride and power of Black women. We did it and we crossed that finish line. You get little credit for starting the race, but you get that credit when you cross that finish line. On Nov. 3, we crossed that finish line.”