A legacy in motion: Bowie State’s 90th Homecoming ignites joy, family and Bulldog pride
By Mekhi Abbott Special to the AFRO
mabbott@afro.com
The music was loud, the colors bold and the Bulldog pride exuded throughout Prince George’s County as Bowie State University celebrated its 90th annual homecoming from Oct. 26 to Nov. 2.
The weeklong celebration included the annual homecoming parade, student showcases and a high-energy football game. The theme for the homecoming of Maryland’s oldest historically Black university was “It’s Off the Chain!”
“Bowie’s homecoming is a really fun time,” said Chayley Williams, a junior theatre arts major at the university. “I am not even a big football fan but I enjoyed it…you have the tailgate and everything. There’s such a familial feeling and community here. I love it.”
The university kicked off the homecoming festivities with the Homecoming Gospel Concert on Oct. 26 from 4-6 p.m. which featured the alumni choir, Bowie State University choir and gospel artists Kierra Sheard and Tim Bowman Jr.
The coronation of Mister and Miss Bowie State took place on Oct. 29 and the annual homecoming concert was on Oct. 30.
The Bowie State Bulldogs hosted their Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) foe, the Elizabeth City State on the gridiron at 1 p.m. on Nov. 1, the university’s official Homecoming Day. The Bulldogs started off firing on all cylinders, jumping out to a 27-7 lead against the Vikings highlighted by a 97-yard interception return touchdown by redshirt senior Tommie McCoy III.
The Vikings would go on to slightly spoil Bowie State’s homecoming after storming back
and scoring 21 unanswered points, defeating the Bulldogs 28-27.
Bulldog quarterback Savion Witherspoon finished the game with 139 passing yards, 81 rushing yards, three rushing touchdowns and an interception.
The loss marks Bowie’s sixth CIAA conference loss on the season. They hold a record of 2-7 overall with a 1-6 CIAA record.
The Bulldogs will travel to Lincoln, Pa., to face off against Lincoln University on Nov. 8 which will be the team’s season finale.
Courtesy photo / Bowie State University
Bowie State University President Aminta H. Breaux engages the crowd gathered for homecoming.
Courtesy photo / Bowie State University
The 33rd Mister and 79th Miss Bowie State University, Alfred Dixon and Andrea Newman, make an appearance during the homecoming football game.
Courtesy photo / Bowie State University
Bowie State University’s Kyree Lenn (#26) makes a move against Elizabeth City State University’s Troy Smith (#6).
Courtesy photo / Bowie State University
Bowie State University mascots, Goldie and Butch Bulldog, hype up the crowd on game day.
Courtesy photo / Bowie State University
The Dancing Divas perform for the crowd during the homecoming half-time show, along with Bowie State University’s Symphony of Soul Band.
Courtesy photo / Bowie State University
Thousands attend the 2025 Bowie State Homecoming game on Nov. 1, 2025.
Courtesy photo / Bowie State University
Bowie alumni Myles Frost, an award-winning actor, singer, songwriter, music producer and dancer, serves as the grand marshal of the 2025 homecoming parade. Frost won the 2022 Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical for his portrayal of Michael Jackson in the Broadway production of “MJ the Musical” and received a Grammy Award nomination for the cast recording.
Former Baltimore mayors honored with portrait unveiling
On Nov. 1, the Rotunda of Baltimore City Hall was filled with pride, reflection and gratitude as four of the city’s former mayors–Sheila Dixon, Stephanie Rawlings Blake, Catherine Pugh and Bernard “Jack” Young– joined Baltimore City Mayor Brandon M. Scott for the unveiling of their official portraits. The event, hosted in the ornate marble rotunda, brought together family members, friends, elected officials and invited guests for an intimate celebration of Baltimore’s leadership and legacy.
Mayor Scott opened the evening by recognizing the moment’s historic significance. The last mayoral portrait to be unveiled was that of Mayor Martin O’Malley.
“Tonight, we’re adding to that lineage with portraits that reflect the true diversity, talent and leadership that define our city,” said Scott.
The portraits unveiled were part of Baltimore’s Faces of Leadership portrait competition, which drew more than 180 submissions from artists across the region. A panel of arts professionals narrowed the field to 17 finalists through a blind selection process, and each former mayor selected their own artist. Megan Lewis was chosen by Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake; Andrew Pisacane, known professionally as Gaia, was selected by Mayor Sheila Dixon; Kennedy Ringgold was chosen by Mayor Catherine Pugh; and Karen Warshal was selected by Mayor Jack Young.
As the portraits were revealed, the audience responded with warm applause. The portraits captured the individuality of each mayor and the collective story of Baltimore’s evolution.
For former Mayor Sheila Dixon, the portrait’s backdrop of Druid Hill Park held special meaning.
“During my administration, I wanted Baltimore to be cleaner, greener, healthier and safer—it wasn’t just a slogan,” she said. “The background in my portrait is the real Baltimore, the earth of the city I love. Fifty or a hundred years from now, I want people to see that and know I was part of the fabric of this city.”
Dixon paved a new path as the first woman to serve Baltimore City as mayor. The unveiling was historic in that it added, for the first time, portraits of women.
Mayor Rawlings-Blake reflected on her years in public service and the legacy she leaves behind.
“When I think about what I’m most proud of, it’s helping to deliver more than a billion dollars for Baltimore City schools,” she said.
“The day that bill passed, I knew that even if I never accomplished another thing, I’d helped change the trajectory of our children’s education. That’s a legacy I’m proud to see live on inside City Hall.”
Rawlings-Blake’s portrait included pictures of her parents and her daughter Sophia.
For Mayor Catherine Pugh, the moment was one of gratitude and humility.
“I thank the citizens of Baltimore for allowing me to serve,” said Pugh. “It wasn’t always easy—it was the best of times and the worst of times—but it was always an honor to serve this city.”
Mayor Bernard “Jack” Young added humor and heart as he described his decision to have his portrait painted inside City Hall.
“I chose to do mine here because I’ve been in City Hall almost every day,” he said with a smile. “My family didn’t get to see me much when I was mayor. This place is part of who I am. I love City Hall, and I love the City of Baltimore.”
Though four portraits were unveiled, the evening also acknowledged artist Ernest Shaw, who has been selected to create the official portrait of Mayor Brandon M. Scott. Once completed, Shaw’s work will join the collection, adding to the visual lineage of Baltimore’s mayors.
The atmosphere in the rotunda was one of celebration and connection — former staffers embraced, families posed for photos and the mayors, once separated by eras, stood together united by service. The new portraits will hang permanently in City Hall, joining the long line of leaders whose faces tell Baltimore’s story — one of resilience, progress and enduring pride.
All photos courtesy of Office of the Baltimore City Mayor / J.J. McQueen
By Ericka Alston Buck Special to the AFRO
Robyn Murphy (left), chief executive officer of the Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts celebrates artists Karen Warshal, Megan Lewis, Kennedy Ringgold, Ernest Shaw with Baltimore City Mayor Brandon M. Scott (right).
Former Mayors Sheila Dixon (left), Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, Catherine Pugh and Bernard “Jack” Young, listen intently during the portrait unveiling ceremony.
Former Mayor Sheila Dixon addresses those gathered for the unveiling of her portrait. Dixon served as mayor of Baltimore City from Jan. 18, 2007 to February 4, 2010.
Current Baltimore City Mayor Brandon M. Scott, standing beside his wife, Hana Pugh Scott, speaks to those gathered on Nov. 1 for the historic unveiling of portraits created in honor of Charm City’s previous four mayors.
Former Baltimore City Mayor Catherine Pugh enters the Baltimore City Hall Rotunda on Nov. 1 to a standing ovation.
Former Baltimore City Mayors Sheila Dixon (left), Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, Catherine Pugh and Bernard “Jack” Young unveil their official portraits.