A screening of Homecoming: A Film By Beyoncé, an intimate look at Beyoncé’s historic 2018 Coachella performance that paid homage to America’s historically black colleges and universities for the students of Howard University at Cramton Auditorium, in Washington, D.C., on April 16, 2019.
Creator / Photographer — Cheriss May/Netflix
Yvette Noel-Schure, Parkwood Entertainment, speaks before the screening of Homecoming: A Film By Beyoncé, an intimate look at Beyoncé’s historic 2018 Coachella performance that paid homage to America’s historically black colleges and universities for the students of Howard University at Cramton Auditorium, in Washington, D.C., on April 16, 2019.
Creator / Photographer — Cheriss May/Netflix
By Jaylin Paschal, Editor-in-Chief
Beyoncé Knowles-Carter headlined Coachella in 2018 in what was a highly-anticipated and critically-acclaimed performance.
A year later on April 17, while Coachella 2019 was unfolding, Knowles-Carter published Homecoming: A Film by Beyoncé featuring the full two-hour performance and behind the scenes footage of the show’s development.
Homecoming was a performance dedicated to Historically Black Colleges and Universities, complete with a marching band, a rendetion of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” and a “swag-surf” break. Imagery was also pulled from black fraternities and sororities. The performance had guest appearances including Shawn “Jay Z” Carter, Solange Knowles and Destiny’s Child.
To further acknowledge the cultural contributions of HBCUs, Netflix hosted advanced screenings of the films at Howard University, Spelman College, Morehouse College and Texas Southern University on April 16.
One thousand free tickets were available for students showing their Howard identification. The line for the screening at Howard University stretched from the Cramton Auditorium entrance to the yard’s flagpole. Though the screening was set to begin at 8 p.m., students began lining up as early as 3:30 p.m.
“Beyoncé, we’ve been waiting for you for hours,” said Mikaela Armstead, senior psychology major.
Upon entrance, attendees were required to check their phones in order to prevent any unathorized filming.
The film was introduced by Yvette Noel-Schure, Knowles-Carter’s publicist. Students danced and sang along to the entire two hour and 17 minute film, cheering when Knowles-Carter made appearances in a Howard University sweatshirt.
“Beyoncé represents black excellence, and we’re all proud to be included in that representation,” said Kailah Ami, junior acting major.
Homecoming is available for streaming on Netflix.
