ESSENCE Girls United is taking it to the Yard. This fall marks the launch of the GU Yard Tour, a brand-new series designed to travel across HBCU campuses, creating space for students to be celebrated, empowered, and inspired. The first stop kicks off at Texas Southern University on Wednesday, September 24, presented by AT&T in partnership with TSU’s School of Communications.
The name “Yard Tour” pays homage to the beloved HBCU tradition of Hump Day, a midweek celebration held on the Yard or Quad that allows students to come together in the middle of their grind. In that same spirit, the GU Yard Tour celebrates students by investing in their futures and giving them access to mentorship, perspective, and opportunity, while honoring the rich culture and community found on HBCU campuses.
“Through our partnership with AT&T and ESSENCE Girls United, we create a space where HBCU students can see their power, own their stories, and dream without limits,” says Rechelle Dennis, GU Brand Lead. “We are paving the way for the next generation of these change makers to lead, innovate, shape the future, and build their legacies.”
At Texas Southern University, students will experience a full day of music, conversations, and connection. The schedule includes two impactful panels designed to spark dialogue around innovation, identity, and leadership. The first, “FUTURE CODED: Shaping Tomorrow’s Tech Through Innovation,” presented by AT&T, highlights how HBCU students and alumni are pushing boundaries in AI, robotics, blockchain, and the arts. The conversation will showcase how coding, creativity, and connectivity are driving breakthroughs in today’s world, from apps that solve everyday challenges to immersive digital experiences that bring communities closer together and bridging the digital divide.
The second panel, “Let’s Be Real: How Gen Z Is Redefining Professionalism,” dives into how this generation is transforming the workplace on their own terms. From rethinking rigid dress codes to embracing self-expression through style, Gen Z is reshaping what professionalism looks like while placing mental health, authenticity, and social values at the center of their approach. This candid discussion will explore why young professionals are rejecting outdated norms and why this shift is necessary for the future of work.
With Texas Southern University as its first stop, the GU Yard Tour is only getting started. As it expands to campuses nationwide, the initiative promises to honor tradition while opening new doors for HBCU students, ensuring that the next generation of leaders is equipped to dream, innovate, and leave a legacy.
“We are thrilled to be working with Essence GU,” says Serbino Sandifer-Walker, professor of journalism at Texas Southern University. “This partnership comes during the 50th anniversary of the Texas Southern University School of Communication. Together, SOC and Essence GU will ignite a flame in our scholars, empowering them to continue the legacy of excellence to achieve their dreams.”
TSU students, secure your spot for GU Yard Tour here, and we’ll meet you at the Granville M. Sawyer Auditorium.