The Atlanta Dream gave fans plenty to celebrate during HBCU Night at State Farm Arena. The team paired a 106-81 victory over the Chicago Sky on Sept. 19 with a celebration of Black college traditions.
Students, alumni and members of historically Black fraternities and sororities filled the arena with cheers, music and school pride. Atlanta also continued its push toward the WNBA playoffs. The victory came in the Dream’s final regular-season home game, with a postseason berth already secured.
Beyond the scoreboard, the night highlighted the connection between the Dream and Atlanta’s Black community. That connection carried added significance as the team prepared for postseason basketball.
“When I think of Atlanta, I think about Black culture,” Dream guard Allisha Gray said. “So, to celebrate HBCUs and Divine 9s, Atlanta is so versatile. We celebrate everybody.”
Angel Reese finished with 23 points and 10 rebounds, while Gray added 17 points. Rhyne Howard scored 14. Chicago center Kamilla Cardoso finished with 11 points and six rebounds.
The celebration extended throughout the arena. Traditions associated with historically Black colleges and universities brought a familiar sense of community to a professional basketball setting.
Members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. strolled across the court during the halftime show. Fans danced to Travis Porter’s “Make It Rain.” Later, spectators joined in “Swag Surfin’” by Fast Life Yungstaz, a staple at HBCU gatherings.
For one member of Travis Porter, performing at the event offered a chance to celebrate both his hometown and women’s basketball.
“It meant everything,” he said. “I grew up in this city, so performing for the WNBA feels good. Shoutout Angel Reese.”
The connection to Black Greek-letter organizations also extended to the court. Howard is a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. It is one of the nine historically Black fraternities and sororities collectively known as the Divine Nine.
For Morehouse College alumnus Cam Porter, the event brought together pride in his alma mater and excitement about the Dream’s season.
“It is amazing to not only be celebrating the Atlanta Dream’s historic season, but I come from an HBCU like Morehouse,” Porter said. “Also, seeing all the schools out here, it’s amazing.”
HBCU Night also brought families into the celebration. A fan who gave her name as Ebony attended with her daughter and her daughter’s friends. She hoped to share an experience centered on supporting women’s basketball.
“I wanted to support women’s basketball, and I brought my daughter and her friends just to see how we can come together in a supportive, positive way,” she said.
Her experience reflected another dimension of the event. Young fans had the opportunity to see women competing professionally while surrounded by familiar music, traditions and community.
That celebration took place as Atlanta built momentum for the postseason. The Dream went on to secure the No. 4 seed. Atlanta opened the playoffs with a 92-77 victory over the Washington Mystics at State Farm Arena on Sept. 27.
Atlanta then swept Washington to advance to the next round. The sweep extended a season that had already given its fans reasons to celebrate.
For those who attended HBCU Night, the connection to the Dream reached beyond the team’s playoff position. It was expressed through school pride, shared traditions and the chance to celebrate women’s basketball together.
As Atlanta’s postseason run continues, HBCU Night stands as a reminder of the community behind the team.
