Official Unity Classic Press Releases

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Unity Football Classic is proud to announce its 2026 Outstanding Community and Organizational Honorees, recognizing 10 distinguished leaders whose service and leadership have made a lasting impact on Jacksonville and communities beyond.

The 2026 honorees represent a broad legacy of achievement in public service, education, civil rights, philanthropy, business, civic engagement and community advancement. Collectively, they embody the values of unity, excellence, service and leadership at the heart of the Unity Football Classic.

These extraordinary leaders represent the very best of our community. Through decades of service, advocacy and leadership, they have opened doors, strengthened institutions and created opportunities for others. It is our privilege to celebrate their contributions as part of the 2026 Unity Classic.

— Rev. Dr. R.B. Holmes Jr., Founder and Chair of the Unity Football Classic

2026 Outstanding Community Honorees

• Dr. Alvin Brown

  Former Mayor of Jacksonville

• Dr. Richard Danford, Jr.

  President, Jacksonville Urban League

• Mr. Isaiah Rumlin

  President, Jacksonville NAACP

• Ms. Dorcas Tanner

  D.G. Consulting & Community Servant

• Dr. Audrey White

  Florida Memorial University Board of Trustees

• Dr. Norma Solomon White

  Former National President, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated

• Dr. Patricia Willis

  Former Superintendent, Duval County Public Schools

2026 Outstanding Organizational Honorees

• Mr. Mincy Pollock

  President & CEO, Florida Black Excellence Festival

• Ms. Sharon Denson

  President & CEO, Jacksonville Black Chamber of Commerce (JBCC)

• Ms. Betty Seabrook Burney

  Executive Director, I'm A Star Foundation

Each honoree has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to strengthening communities, expanding opportunity and improving the lives of others. Their collective contributions span generations and reflect the Unity Classic's commitment to recognizing leaders who translate service into meaningful and lasting community impact.

The honorees will receive special recognition during the Unity Classic Kickoff & Scholarship Luncheon on Friday, August 28, 2026, at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront and during the Unity Football Classic Game on Saturday, August 29, 2026, at Nathaniel Glover Community Field and Stadium on the campus of Edward Waters University.

The luncheon and recognition ceremonies are part of the 2nd Annual Unity Football Classic Weekend, August 27–29, 2026, which celebrates HBCU excellence, faith, legacy, education and community unity while raising scholarship support for deserving students.

The weekend culminates Saturday evening when Florida Memorial University faces Edward Waters University in the 2026 Unity Football Classic. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. on August 29 at Nathaniel Glover Community Field and Stadium in Jacksonville.

The Unity Classic is about much more than football. It is about honoring those who have paved the way, investing in the students who will lead tomorrow and bringing our community together around a shared commitment to education, opportunity and service. Our 2026 honorees exemplify that mission.

— Rev. Dr. R.B. Holmes Jr.

The Unity Football Classic celebrates HBCU heritage through sports, music, faith and community. Hosted in Jacksonville, Florida, the Classic brings together institutions, alumni, students, families, civic leaders and supporters to honor legacy, promote unity and raise scholarship support for students at participating HBCUs.

The 2026 Unity Football Classic Weekend will take place August 27–29, 2026, in Jacksonville.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. As planning continues for the 2026 Unity Football Classic weekend, organizers are actively seeking sponsors to help fund student scholarships and expand the event's reach across Jacksonville and beyond.

The Unity Football Classic invites businesses, civic organizations, churches, alumni groups, and community partners to join as sponsors for the August 27-29, 2026 weekend. Sponsorship packages are designed for organizations that want to align their brand with HBCU education, student opportunity, and community investment — while gaining meaningful visibility across multiple high-profile events.

Sponsors will be featured throughout Unity Classic weekend, including the golf tournament, scholarship luncheon, and championship game. Partnership benefits may include logo placement on event materials, on-site signage, hospitality access, VIP tickets, luncheon recognition, and media exposure before and during the weekend.

Sponsorship is how we turn celebration into opportunity. When partners invest in the Unity Classic, they are not just supporting an event — they are helping students pursue their dreams and strengthening institutions that have shaped generations of leaders.

— Rev. Dr. RB Holmes Jr., Founder and Chair, Unity Football Classic

Each sponsorship level is structured to match a partner's capacity and goals — from community-level support to presenting sponsorship. Every contribution directly supports scholarship funding for students at participating HBCUs and helps sustain a growing Jacksonville tradition now entering its second year.

Organizations interested in sponsorship may contact the Unity Football Classic at [email protected] or visit the official sponsorship page for more information.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. The Unity Football Classic will host the Unity Classic Kickoff & Scholarship Luncheon on Friday, August 28, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. at The Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront, located at 225 E Coastline Dr. in Jacksonville.

The luncheon will officially kick off the 2026 Unity Football Classic weekend, bringing together players, coaches, university representatives, alumni, students, families, and community supporters for a celebratory pre-game gathering ahead of Saturday's matchup between Florida Memorial University and Edward Waters University.

As part of the 2nd Annual Unity Football Classic — a weekend celebrating HBCU excellence, faith, legacy, and community unity — the luncheon supports the Classic's broader mission of honoring Historically Black Colleges and Universities while investing in the next generation of student leaders.

The Unity Classic is more than a game; it is a celebration of legacy and an investment in deserving students. This luncheon gives our community a meaningful way to come together, honor HBCU excellence, and rally support for scholarship opportunities that change lives.

Proceeds from the Unity Classic Kickoff & Scholarship Luncheon support scholarships for deserving students with dreams, potential, and determination. The event also creates opportunities for sponsors, civic partners, alumni, and supporters to invest in HBCU education, student success, and community development.

The 2026 Unity Football Classic weekend runs August 27-29, 2026, in Jacksonville, Florida, and includes the Unity Classic Golf Tournament on Thursday, August 27, and the Unity Classic Football Game on Saturday, August 29, at 6:00 p.m. at Nathaniel Glover Community Field and Stadium on the campus of Edward Waters University.

Tickets for the Unity Classic Kickoff & Scholarship Luncheon are available at zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/unity-classic-scholarship-luncheon.