As the fall 2025 semester ends, Morehouse College students gathered late into the night for the annual Midnight Brunch – a campus-wide event dedicated to connection, culture and brotherhood. The night served as a living expression of pride, unity and excellence – values that continue to define the Morehouse experience.
Excitement filled the air as students entered the venue, greeted by music, shared laughter, and the unmistakable warmth of community. For freshmen, the brunch symbolized a moment to pause, reflect and celebrate surviving and thriving through their initial transition into higher education.
Providing meals to all students
Hoyt Jackson, a junior and SGA secretary of campus operations, served as host for the evening and was instrumental in the event’s planning and execution. Jackson explained that the vision behind Midnight Brunch extended well beyond entertainment.
“The goal was to bring a sense of brotherhood to the freshmen class,” Jackson said. “We wanted to create a space where they could communicate with upperclassmen, build relationships and truly feel like they belong here at Morehouse.”
Recognizing the importance of inclusion, Jackson and the Student Government Association (SGA) worked to ensure the event remained accessible to all students, even those without meal plans. Budget limitations posed early challenges; however, support from the SGA president and collaborative planning allowed organizers to push forward.
“We had to advocate for students who weren’t on meal plans because no one should feel excluded,” Jackson said. “With teamwork and support across SGA leadership, we were able to make it happen.”
Midnight festivities
One of the highlights of the night came through performances from freshman stroll teams representing the residential halls. Performances by teams from Graves Hall, Hubert Hall, DuBois Hall, Brazeal Hall, and Mays Hall electrified the crowd as students showcased their choreographed routines, embodying tradition, pride and friendly competition.
Each performance drew cheers from classmates representing their respective houses, reinforcing the deep bond between dorm communities and campus identity. For some freshmen, it was their first time publicly performing as part of a Morehouse tradition, turning the stage into both a celebration and a rite of passage.
Beyond performances, Midnight Brunch featured raffle prize giveaways that added excitement to the evening. Two students walked away with prizes: one won a gift basket and the other secured a new smart TV.
Bringing community back to Morehouse
Yet amid the laughter, music and festivities, the deeper purpose of the event remained clear: To strengthen students’ belief in the campus community.
For Jackson, that mission is profoundly personal. During his own journey at Morehouse, he revealed he nearly transferred after struggling through a difficult period. Midnight Brunch played a pivotal role in reminding him of the value of campus community.
“This event grounded me,” Jackson shared. “It helped me remember that this ‘house’ really is home.”
That experience fuels his commitment to creating meaningful traditions for today’s students.
“I want this night to go a long way for them too,” he said. “I hope they leave with laughter, joy and memories that last. That really means something when they look back.”
Midnight Brunch stood as a prime example of campus collaboration. Jackson stressed that none of the night’s success would be possible without teamwork and dedication from SGA and Sodexo Magic.
Their partnership ensured not only smooth coordination but also the quality dining experience central to the event’s theme. Together, they helped transform the evening into the welcoming, well-executed celebration students enjoyed.
As the night progressed, students left with full plates, newfound connections and a reminder of what makes Morehouse special. Between the stroll performances, laughter and the thrill of winning prizes, the event captured the essence of community.
In a season defined by academic demands and late-night deadlines, Midnight Brunch offered something equally vital a pause to celebrate brotherhood, resilience and the shared journey of being a Morehouse man.
Midnight Brunch remains a powerful affirmation that at Morehouse, community is not an afterthought; it is the foundation.
