THE LIMITED SERIES WILL PROVIDE AN INSIDE LOOK INTO SIX HBCU MARCHING BANDS WHO WILL ULTIMATELY COMPETE AT THE HBCU ALL-STAR BATTLE OF THE BANDS IN ATLANTA
(Black PR Wire) ATLANTA – AspireTV, the network that celebrates and reflects Black culture and urban lifestyle, is premiering the limited series 6 Minutes to Glory: The HBCU Band Experience on Saturday, Jan. 14 at 8 p.m. ET. Two episodes will debut each week for three weeks.
The series is a tribute to the distinctive and fascinating culture of Black Marching Bands – The Halftime Show. Focused on one HBCU band per episode, viewers will get an insider look at the band through the eyes of the students, their thoughts on why they chose an HBCU, and the excitement of being selected to participate in the HBCU All-Star Battle of the Bands. The season will highlight bands from six Historically Black Colleges & Universities including Norfolk State University, Tennessee State University, North Carolina A&T, Bethune-Cookman University, Alabama State University and South Carolina State University. We’ll hear about band members’ dreams, their inspiration for attending an HBCU and joining the bands, and how each school’s band has their own traditions that make them truly unique. These six schools are the bands that will be competing at the 18th HBCU All-Star Battle of the Bands legacy showcase in Atlanta, Ga., on Feb. 4, with tickets available to the public. AspireTV will capture footage from the showcase to air as an additional episode later in the year.
6 Minutes to Glory: The HBCU Band Experience is part of Publicis Media’s APX Content Ventures Inclusion Investment Fund. This fund, which was announced in July 2021 as part of Publicis Media’s Once & For All Coalition launch, will be used to help its partners develop over 20 programs spotlighting diverse voices and storylines.
“Our partnership with APX Content Investment Fund and Allstate as a presenting sponsor is a win-win for our agency and advertising partners, Black owned creative supply chain vendors and ultimately, our audience of BIPOC TV viewers who identify as passionate, lifestyle enthusiasts seeking programming like this made by and for them,” said Ty Johnson, Vice President, National Ad Sales Southeast Region, Branded Content + Multicultural Strategy & Development, aspireTV.
“Allstate is passionate and intentional about increasing our support of diverse businesses and supply chain partners. Through this sponsorship, we are investing in the APX Content Ventures Fund’s goal to advance minority media representation. We are proud to spotlight the significance of HBCU bands as they symbolize the rich heritage of HBCU’s and for the contribution they make as brand ambassadors for their schools,” said Cheryl Harris, Allstate’s Chief Procurement Officer. “We are truly excited about celebrating, amplifying, and honoring HBCU culture.”
“Students put their hearts and souls into their schools’ band performances, and when they take center stage in the Mercedes-Benz Stadium for the HBCU All-Star Battle of the Bands, all the hours poured into perfecting their craft will have been worth it,” said Tom Grabowski, founder of the HBCU All-Star Battle of the Bands. “6 Minutes to Glory: The HBCU Band Experience will allow viewers to see a glimpse of what it’s like to be an HBCU marching band member and will inspire the future generation to dream of one day playing a part in an HBCU marching band.”
6 Minutes to Glory: The HBCU Band Experience is produced by Go Media Productions with Wayne Overstreet and Len Gibson serving as Executive Producers.
Premiere Schedule:
Saturday, Jan. 14
8 p.m. ET – Bethune-Cookman University – the Marching Wildcats
8:30 p.m. ET – North Carolina A&T – the Blue and Gold Marching Machine
Saturday, Jan. 21
8 p.m. ET – Tennessee State University – the Aristocrat of Bands
8:30 p.m. ET – Norfolk State University – the Spartan Legion Band
Saturday, Jan. 28
8 p.m. ET – Alabama State University – the Mighty Marching Hornets
8:30 p.m. ET – South Carolina State University – the Marching 101
To find aspireTV on cable in your area, go to https://aspire.tv/channel. AspireTV is also available nationally on DirecTV and can be watched on DirecTV Stream or Philo.
About aspireTV
AspireTV is the television network that celebrates and reflects Black culture and urban lifestyle in a way that is inspiring, authentic and entertaining. AspireTV offers reality series, specials and independent films as well as beloved dramas, contemporary comedies and provocative documentaries that allow you to connect and … see yourself here. AspireTV is available in the top 50 African American markets including New York City, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Chicago and Washington, D.C.
For more information, visit www.aspire.tv, facebook.com/AspireTV, @TVaspire on Twitter and @TVaspire on Instagram.
About HBCU All-Star Battle of the Bands
The HBCU All-Star Battle of the Bands is the original and largest Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) marching band and dance team showcase in the world. The annual event welcomes 60,000 attendees in Atlanta, Ga., each year. Festivities also include the HBCU All-Star Battle of the Bands college fair, bringing thousands of attendees who can learn about more than 45 HBCUs and their academic and band programs. Visit the HBCU All-Star Battle of the Bands website for more information: AllStarBattleoftheBands.com.