Bowie State University to Launch Urban One’s ONE Yard: The HBCU Experience

BOWIE, MD — Bowie State University will be the first Historically Black College and University (HBCU) to host ONE Yard: The HBCU Experience, a new multi-city engagement tour from Urban One celebrating HBCU culture, community, creativity and entrepreneurship. The inaugural event will take place Thursday, Aug. 27, in partnership with Bowie State’s Entrepreneurship Innovation Center (EIC).

“Bowie State University is proud to serve as the first campus to launch Urban One’s ONE Yard: The HBCU Experience,” said Johnetta Hardy, executive director of the Entrepreneurship Innovation Center. “This partnership reflects our commitment to creating meaningful experiences that connect our students to entrepreneurship, innovation, culture and the industries shaping their future.”

The event will bring culture, entrepreneurship, career development, entertainment and wellness to the Bowie State campus, connecting students with industry professionals, entrepreneurs, creators and other leaders. The partnership advances the university’s commitment to experiential learning and career development.

“ONE Yard gives brands the opportunity to do more than show up on campus; it enables them to invest meaningfully in the culture, talent and future of HBCU communities,” said Tiffany Nasralla, Urban One’s co-chief revenue officer. “By combining Urban One’s cultural intelligence and first-party data with our trusted media brands, creators and live experiences, we help partners connect with the culture makers shaping what’s next.”

ONE Yard brings the energy of the HBCU yard to life through interactive experiences designed to engage students and connect them with opportunities beyond the classroom. Featured experiences include Aura Arcade, hosted by PlayVS; 3rd Space by Live Wire, featuring performances and programming; a Wellness Zone; the Cookout Corridor; Your University Row, offering career and entrepreneurial resources; and The Promenade, an interactive experience celebrating HBCU style and culture.

ONE Yard is part of Urban One’s broader investment in emerging HBCU voices. The experience was developed in partnership with HBCU leaders and student organizations and is designed to provide students with opportunities for portfolio development, industry mentorship and career exploration.

For more information about ONE Yard: The HBCU Experience, to register or to find additional locations, visit oneyard.co

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About Bowie State University
Founded in 1865, Bowie State University is the first Historically Black College/University (HBCU) in Maryland and one of the ten oldest in the country. Bowie State has earned the ‘Research College and University’ designation in the 2025 Carnegie Research Activity Classification. As a leading institution of higher learning, Bowie State offers more than 65 bachelor's, master's, doctoral and certificate programs across arts and sciences, technology, business, education, healthcare and related disciplines. The university provides high-quality and affordable educational opportunities in a supportive environment that empowers students to think critically, make new discoveries, value differences and emerge as leaders in a highly technical, rapidly changing global society. For more information about Bowie State University, visit bowiestate.edu.

About Bowie State University’s Entrepreneurship Innovation Center
The Entrepreneurship Innovation Center (EIC) is Bowie State University’s campus-wide hub for entrepreneurship and innovation. The EIC equips students with the resources, mentorship, experiential learning and connections needed to develop ideas, launch ventures and build the skills to thrive in the evolving global economy.

 About Urban One, Inc.
Urban One, Inc. (urban1.com) is the largest diversified media company primarily targeting Black Americans and Urban consumers in the U.S., reaching 80 million unique consumers monthly. Its assets include TV One and CLEO TV, collectively available in 38 million households, with CTV generating 135 million monthly impressions; Radio One, with 74 broadcast stations in 13 top African American markets; and REACH Media, with 311 affiliates over 93 markets and home to nationally syndicated shows such as The Rickey Smiley Morning Show, The D.L. Hughley Show, Get Up! Mornings with Erica Campbell and The Morning Hustle. Urban One’s digital division, iONE Digital, boasts 300 million monthly videos views, and engages 31 million monthly readers across leading brands like Bossip, HipHopWired, MadameNoire, and NewsOne.

MEDIA CONTACT: Stacie Burgess, sburgess@bowiestate.edu, 301-860-4311