ESPN's popular sports talk show, First Take, has announced a special initiative dedicated to spotlighting HBCUs, with the inaugural stop of its First Take on the Road series at Howard University. The show, anchored by Winston Salem State University graduate Stephen A. Smith and Savannah State University graduate Shannon Sharpe, will broadcast live from The Yard on Friday, Sept. 20, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., just ahead of the Truth and Service Classic.

Howard University will be seeking redemption in this year’s game after losing to Hampton last year, 34-35. By broadcasting from Howard, First Take will put the university’s athletics in front of a national audience. "With the two stars being HBCU graduates, I am looking forward to seeing how they present our rivalry to the rest of the country who might not be familiar with HBCU athletics," said Howard University Football GameStrat Assistant Aidan Knight.

Latrell Caton, a photographer at Howard University, shared his thoughts on ESPN’s First Take making its way to the campus. "First Take is a great show, and it can serve as a powerful display of unity for HBCUs," said Caton. "They’re not just coming to Howard; they’re visiting other schools as well. However, I do anticipate some backlash, as Howard often becomes the focal point for such events. Despite that, it’s an excellent opportunity to open doors for HBCU students who aspire to be involved in these kinds of spaces."

In their ongoing commitment to celebrating diversity and amplifying historically underrepresented voices, First Take has made it clear that connecting with HBCU is more than just a strategic decision—it’s a heartfelt mission. "Traveling to HBCUs is a priority for our team at First Take and is an initiative our group is very passionate about. It was easy for us to select Howard University, as it’s known for its rich history filled with many years of educational and leadership excellence within the African American community," said Dave Roberts, executive vice president and executive editor of Sports News and Entertainment at ESPN in a press release.

Since its debut in 2007, First Take has become a cornerstone of ESPN’s morning programming. This past spring, the show celebrated 21 consecutive months of year-over-year growth, attracting an average of nearly 500,000 viewers each day. Beyond the live broadcast, ESPN is also collaborating with the university to organize an event for students interested in pursuing careers in sports and media.

Following its stop at Howard University, First Take will continue its HBCU tour with visits to Tennessee State University in Nashville on Oct. 11, followed by stops at Clark Atlanta University and Morehouse College in Atlanta on Nov. 8.