Photo: MVSU Band | By Aditi Rathi, Soap Central | [Unfortunately, this has opened up a can of worms . . . Read both stories] The Mean Green Marching Machine band of Mississippi Valley State University is all set to perform in the Inaugural parade at the swearing-in of President-elect Donald Trump. The inauguration is scheduled on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, i.e. January 20, 2025. In order to participate in the parade, the HBCU’s band is raising funds via a page on GoFundMe.
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Mississippi Valley State University is seemingly elated with the invitation. On their university’s page, they mentioned that the band is continuing its legacy of being culturally significant.
Dr Jerryl Briggs, the university’s president, also noted how the invitation is a moment of pride for the HBCU.
While the university’s band is allegedly practicing rigorously for their performance, some netizens are asking them to withdraw their name from the parade.
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Read this story here:
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/mississippi-valley-state-university-gofundme-raises-over-3-000-as-hbcu-invited-for-donald-trump-inauguration/ar-AA1wFukC?ocid=hpmsn&cvid=ce31b87e854c49df845cb2adc98cf522&ei=94
HBCU = Historically Black College or University
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Go Fund Me message:
The Mean Green Marching Machine Band of Mississippi Valley State University is seeking funds to travel to Washington, D.C., to participate in the Inaugural Parade. The band is seeking funds to acquire instruments, uniforms, provide scholarships, and get other essential resources for its continued development.
We are making improvements to the band hall to facilitate band practice.
The “Mean Green Marching Machine” has around 250 individuals. The band has played on several stages, including the 60th Presidential Inauguration Parade, NBA games, the Rose Bowl Parade, New Orleans Mardi Gras parades, the National Showband Battle of the Bands, and other esteemed Battle of the Bands and parades. Throughout our history, we have succeeded in ensuring that over half of our students who enroll at the University also graduate.
We are seeking financial assistance from our supporters in the United States to actualize this objective for the students. Your assistance is essential in helping us attain this esteemed opportunity.
Thank you in advance!
Dr Bonds is organizing this fundraiser.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-the-mean-green-marching-machine-band?qid=bf0bba6c2f2a8b2dd69c287c6ee0dde0
https://www.mvsu.edu/academics/academic_programs/arts-sciences/departments/fine-arts/clubs-organizations/marching-band
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HBCU Band Faces Backlash For Raising Funds To Perform At Trump Inauguration
By BIN (Black Information Network)
A Mississippi HBCU is facing backlash after its band accepted an invitation to perform at President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration.
According to WLBT, The Mean Green Marching Band of Mississippi Valley State University accepted the inauguration invite and is trying to raise $350,000 to cover expenses for the trip in January.
“The Mean Green Marching Machine Band of Mississippi Valley State University is seeking funds to travel to Washington, D.C., to participate in the Inaugural Parade. The band seeks funds to acquire instruments, uniforms, provide scholarships, and other essential resources for its continued development,” a GoFundMe page launched by the HBCU band reads.
According to a press release, the Mean Green Marching Machine Band became the first HBCU to perform at the Tournament of Roses Parade in 1965 and at President Richard Nixon’s inauguration.
Mississippi Valley State President Dr. Jerryl Briggs said the invitation to perform at Trump’s inauguration is a “moment of pride” for the “entire state.”
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Several social media users criticized the band for accepting the invitation to perform for Trump. See their reactions below. ~ I won’t repost them here. The comments are BRUTAL but raise some good points like “millions have been raised for the inauguration but they can’t afford to pay the band’s way?”
Photo courtesy of Mississippi Valley State University