The Inaugural 2026 Pepsi National Battle of the Bands in the Palm Beaches Delivers Culture, Community Impact, and Unforgettable HBCU Excellence

Palm Beaches, Fla. (January 23, 2026) — The National Battle of the Bands (NBOTB) closed out MLK Weekend with a powerful, purpose-driven celebration in the Palm Beaches, reaffirming its 12-year commitment to music, arts, and education through HBCU culture and music.

What unfolded across the multi-day experience was far more than a performance weekend. It was a collective moment of impact—bringing together students, families, educators, entrepreneurs, creatives, and community leaders to celebrate excellence while investing directly in the future of HBCU students and marching band programs. The inaugural Palm Beaches edition marked a milestone for both South Florida and the NBOTB legacy, anchoring culture, education, and service in a weekend rooted in access and opportunity.

Impact Beyond the NotesThe Palm Beaches' debut marked a major milestone in scholarship impact. In 2026 alone, NBOTB awarded $300,000 in scholarships, with each participating band receiving $50,000, bringing the organization’s total scholarship investment to more than $2.4 million to date in support of HBCU bands and programs nationwide.

“This weekend reflected everything the National Battle of the Bands stands for,” said Derek Webber, Executive Producer and Creator of NBOTB. “Service, culture, education, and opportunity came together powerfully, and the Palm Beaches embraced that mission.”

A Weekend Grounded in Service and OpportunityThe weekend began Thursday, January 15, with the NBOTB CARES Initiative: Feeding the Community, serving seniors across four Palm Beach County senior communities. Held in observance of MLK Weekend, the initiative underscored NBOTB’s commitment to service through action, compassion, and community care.

On Friday, January 16, the focus turned to education and empowerment at Palm Beach State College – Lake Worth Campus. The Emerging Experience Entrepreneurship Conference, free with registration, convened leaders across finance, technology, entertainment, STEM, and business development to share insight on access to capital, innovation, digital tools, and career pathways, including a featured panel presented by the Motion Picture Association.

At the same time, the HBCU College & Career Fair welcomed more than 2,000 students, connecting them with Historically Black Colleges and Universities, scholarship opportunities, and pathways to higher education. Many students received on-site scholarship offers, including multiple awards to Livingstone College—reinforcing NBOTB’s mission to expand access and opportunity through education.

Culture Takes the SpotlightOn Saturday, January 17, the Fan Experience brought the community together outside Flagler Credit Union Stadium with a free outdoor celebration featuring music, performances, vendors, and a Greek Stroll-Off Competition. Local student performers, including the Palm Beach Lakes High School Marching Band and the Dillard High School Marching Band and Step Team, showcased the depth of talent rooted in South Florida.

The Greek Stroll-Off concluded with Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. from Florida Memorial University earning the $5,000 Grand Prize, highlighting excellence, tradition, and community pride.

Later that afternoon, six powerhouse HBCU marching bands delivered a high-energy showcase inside the stadium, officially kicking off the first major HBCU band event of 2026. Participating institutions included Bethune-Cookman University, Marching Wildcats; Florida Memorial University, The ROAR; North Carolina A&T State University, Blue & Gold Marching Machine; Florida A&M University, The Marching “100”; South Carolina State University Marching 101, and Southern University, Human Jukebox. From the first note to the final salute, the stadium pulsed with pride, precision, and unmistakable HBCU excellence.

For more information, visit www.nationalbattleofthebands.com and follow @NationalBattleoftheBands across social platforms.

About National Battle of the Bands

The National Battle of the Bands’ (NBOTB) mission is to enhance the exposure of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), their marching bands, and the important roles they play in educating aspiring musicians and developing future leaders in the areas of music, arts, and education. As one of the largest showcases of HBCU marching bands in the country, NBOTB serves as a platform to inspire the next generation of leaders. To date, the event has awarded over $2.4 million in scholarships to participating institutions, while engaging tens of thousands of fans annually through live performances, educational programming, and community impact initiatives.