Talladega College President Undecided On Band’s Inauguration Performance

Sherrel Stewart | January 3, 2017

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Talladega College doesn’t have a football team, but it has a band – the Marching Tornadoes. More than 100 band members from the historically black college east of Birmingham have been invited to perform in President-elect Donald Trump’s inaugural parade. The college president is undecided on whether the band will perform, a college spokesman said.

Talladega President Billy Hawkins is expected to announce later Tuesday whether the band will participate, said Greg Wilson, college spokesman. “The list of participants came from the Inauguration Committee,” Wilson said. “Our president has yet to confirm or deny that Talladega College will participate.”

Performing in the inauguration parade would be the band’s largest national audience, but the invitation has stirred controversy online among some alums. Shirley Ferrill of Fairfield launched a petition to “Get Talladega College to withdraw from the inaugural parade for Donald Trump.” Ferrill’s petition states: “In view of his behavior and comments I strongly do not want Talladega College to give the appearance of supporting him.”

Current student Dollan Young launched a petition supporting the band’s participation. Young’s petition says, “We believe that this parade is not about politics it’s about seeing first hand the process of a transition. It’s not to support of no political party its about the experience that the students will obtain. We are not one-track thinkers and believe everyone is entitled to the own beliefs.”

Talladega College, founded in 1867 by former slaves, is the only historically black college or university (HBCU) listed to perform in the inaugural parade.

Four bands from historically black colleges or universities participated in the first inauguration of President Barack Obama: Florida A&M University, Grambling State University, Hampton University and Howard University. This will be the first appearance in a presidential inauguration for the Talladega band. It has performed previously before national audiences, including halftime at the New Orleans Saints vs. Denver Broncos game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in November.

Located about 40 miles east of Birmingham, Talladega College is a small liberal arts institution with a 12:1 student-faculty ratio. Most Talladega graduates go on to pursue graduate degrees, according to the college’s website.

Talladega is home to the Amistad Murals, regarded as one of the “best-documented works” of artist Hale Aspacio Woodruff. The murals are displayed in the college’s Savery Library and attract visitors from around the world.

NOTE: This story was updated at 12:45 p.m. today after WBHM learned that college leaders have yet to decide whether the band will attend.