MetLife Sponsors Toyota HBCUNY Football Classic, Strengthening Commitment to HBCUs

The MetLife Foundation announced a partnership with Toyota HBCUNY Classic on Sept. 12. As a part of MetLife’s commitment to supporting HBCU students, the brand new sponsorship is a step in an ongoing initiative to strengthen inclusive economic mobility for underserved and marginalized communities all over the world.

The September 14 HBCUNY event will concentrate on the highly anticipated football game between Howard University and Morehouse College at MetLife Stadium, which can kick off HBCU homecoming week. The game will feature rousing performances by drummers, in addition to a battle of the bands between the colleges at halftime.

HBCUNY Classic is a multi-day event dedicated to celebrating Black culture and the Historically Black College and University community.

Beyond this event, the MetLife Foundation has donated greater than $1 billion to the communities it serves and continues to construct on its fame for supporting economic mobility by providing access to education for 1000’s of HBCU students.

MetLife Chief Marketing Officer Michael Roberts he said in a press release: “MetLife’s sponsorship of the Toyota HBCUNY Classic presented by Walmart is a testament to its long history of supporting HBCUs through organizations like UNCCF. We are proud that MetLife had the vision to support HBCUs nearly eight decades ago, and we remain committed to building a more confident future through access to a high-quality education.”

Albert Williams, president and CEO of Classic producers Sports Eleven05 LLC, expressed his gratitude. “We thank MetLife for its continued support of the Toyota HBCUNY Classic, the world’s largest HBCU homecoming, held at MetLife Stadium. We deeply appreciate MetLife’s partnership in lifting up our students and supporting HBCUs,” he said.

During CNBC’s live football game, MetLife has scheduled a segment to air through the broadcast to highlight its ongoing commitment to the cause. The segment will highlight the organization’s 78-year partnership with UNCF and have Warren Williams, regional director at UNCF, and Reginald Goins, a former UNCF scholar and graduate of two HBCUs. The film will showcase the undeniable importance of supporting HBCU students who will give you the chance to make an impact of their communities in the long run.

In addition to MetLife’s sponsorship of the HBCUNY Game, the Foundation recently awarded a combined $2.5 million to several different HBCU-related initiatives, including the MetLife Foundation Legacy Endowed Scholarship at UNCF, which provides annual need-based scholarships to college students who attend HBCUs and are majoring in STEM, business, or financial accounting.