Livingstone College News Service 

SALISBURY — Livingstone College students and alumni will celebrate homecoming next week.

The homecoming game kicks off at 1:30 p.m. Oct. 28 when the Livingstone Blue Bears take on the Fayetteville State University Broncos.

Though everyone rallies around the football game, homecoming at Livingstone is much more than what takes place on the field.

“The Division of Institutional Advancement and the Office of Alumni Affairs have organized myriad activities to help make your time in Salisbury special,” said college President Jimmy Jenkins Sr. “While you are here, feel free to talk to some of our students to share the impact Livingstone has had on your life and to encourage them to study hard so they can persist to graduation and command their rightful place in the global society.”

At 7 p.m. Tuesday, Livingstone will host national gospel recording artist Kierra “Kiki” Sheard for a gospel concert in Varick Auditorium. She is the daughter of gospel singer Karen Clark Sheard, who is a member of the gospel singing group the Clark Sisters, and the granddaughter of gospel choral director Mattie Moss Clark.

A native of Detroit, Sheard is also a fashion designer and radio host. After appearing on her mother’s albums, Sheard broke onto the music scene with her debut album, “I Owe You,” in 2004. Her hit single “You Don’t Know” was written about her mother’s bout with an almost fatal blood clot.

Sheard portrayed Litha in the 2010 Christian-drama film “Preacher’s Kid.”

At 11 a.m. Wednesday, Student Affairs will pause from the fun to participate in a student caravan to the polls to vote in the municipal election. At 7 p.m., it’s showtime at Varick, followed by a bonfire and pep rally.

Oct. 26 will feature a fashion show and hip-hop and R&B artist Tink in concert. Trinity Home, better known by her stage name Tink, is an American rapper and singer. Since 2012, she has released seven mix tapes and is due to release her debut studio album this year.

The album will be on the Mosley Music Group label, an imprint of Epic Records run by producer Timbaland. Her 2014 mix tape, “Winter’s Diary 2: Forever Yours,” was featured as a top 10 R&B album in both Rolling Stone and Billboard magazines.

Alumni weekend activities begin Oct. 26 with a cocktail party from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Poets and Dreamers Garden. Reserve a spot to attend by calling 704-216-6008 or 704-216-6009.

Alumni convocation begins at 11 a.m. Oct. 27 at Varick Auditorium, sponsored by the Livingstone College National Alumni Association. This will be followed by a tree planting from the Class of 1967 and a memorial balloon release.

The United Negro College Fund “Soul Food” luncheon begins at noon Oct. 27 at Aggrey Cafeteria on campus. The cost is $30 per person.

The alumni association State of the College and Awards Ceremony will begin at 3 p.m. Oct. 27 at Tubman Theater on campus.

The evening caps off with the homecoming step show at 8 p.m. at Varick Auditorium. The cost is $15.

On Oct. 28, the homecoming parade begins at 9 a.m. and will run from Main to Monroe streets. The parade lineup begins at 7:30 a.m. at Soldiers Memorial AME Zion Church, 306 N. Church St., and ends on campus.

Awards will be given for best performance; best drill, dance or step team; most creative; and best overall.

The deadline to sign up for the parade is Monday. Register online at https://form.jotform.us/70533968787171.

After the game, the alumni association will host the Diamond and Pearls annual dance from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. at the School of Hospitality Management and Culinary Arts. Tickets are $50. Attire is semi-formal.

The Office of Alumni Affairs will host an alumni All Black Party at Firewater Restaurant from 9:30 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. Tickets are $25. Attire is classy, with no athletic wear.

For more information about homecoming, call Anthony Brown, director of student activities, at 704-216-6272, or Vincia Miller, director of alumni affairs, at 704-216-6009.