Mile High HBCU Weekend, Inc.
Vendor Application
We’re excited to welcome vendors to participate in our 2nd Annual Mile High HBCU Weekend!
Our four-day experience for 2026 brings together students, families, alumni, and the community to celebrate HBCU culture, connection, and impact. Each event offers a unique audience and atmosphere.
Please review the event descriptions below and select the events you’re interested in. Vendor participation is curated to ensure alignment with each experience. Complete all required fields on the form and our team will review to determine alignment and get back to you within 2-3 business days. Once confirmed, there will be a vendor fee of $150 due upon approval.
The Kickback: Movie Night & Game Night
(6:00 – 11:00 PM)We're opening Mile High HBCU Weekend 2026 the right way — outside, under the sky, with good music, good people, and all the energy you'd expect when the HBCU family links up. Your customers will be HBCU students, alumni, Divine Nine Greek members, and the people who love and support them. They're engaged, they're proud, and they're ready to spend on brands that speak their language.
The night features spades, dominoes, Uno, sand volleyball, a DJ on the R&B hits, a 360 photo booth, and HBCU-themed movies rolling on a big outdoor screen. Think family game night with a downtown backdrop. If your brand feels like family, bring it to The Kickback.
Vendors we're looking for: Casual retail, culturally relevant merchandise, black-owned businesses, and interactive or experiential activations. Food and beverage vendors are not accepted — the venue has that covered. You will bring your products, marketing materials, and a table cloth. A table will be provided.
The HBCU Experience: A Different World
(6:00 –9:00 PM)Step into the culture, the conversations, and the legacy that define the HBCU experience. This night brings together students, alumni, and community members for a curated panel and social experience inspired by the spirit of A Different World. Your customers will consist of students, parents, and alumni. They are ambitious, culturally connected, and invested in education, career growth, and community impact.
The evening will feature a dynamic panel of HBCU alumni and current students, followed by networking and social time designed to spark real connections. Think meaningful conversation meets elevated kickback energy — where culture and purpose collide. There will be interactive stations throughout the event where students can learn more about HBCUs, take photos, and engage with each other.
Vendors we're looking for: Brands aligned with education, career development, culture, and community impact. This includes service-based businesses, nonprofits, professional services, authors, and culturally relevant retail. Food and beverage vendors are welcome, along with interactive activations and informational tables.
Yardfest: An HBCU & D9 Greek Picnic
(3:00 –7:00 PM)This is the heartbeat of the weekend. Yardfest is where the full HBCU and Divine Nine energy comes to life — music, movement, stepping, strolling, and community all in one space. Your customers will be highly engaged, social, and ready to shop, eat, and support brands that show up authentically.
Expect a high-energy outdoor experience with a live DJ, strolling, games, and a full-day picnic atmosphere. This is our largest and most attended event of the weekend, bringing together hundreds of attendees across generations.
Vendors we're looking for: Retail vendors, food and beverage vendors, lifestyle brands, cultural merchandise, and experiential activations. This is the best opportunity for high visibility and sales volume. Black-owned businesses and brands that align with HBCU and D9 culture are strongly encouraged.
Move in Excellence: The Final Lap
(8:00 AM - 9:30 AM)We're closing out Mile High HBCU Weekend 2026 the way we live — with intention, with pride, and with our whole community moving together. This is the grand finale, and we're ending in excellence. Your customers will be HBCU students, alumni, Divine Nine Greek members, families, and wellness-minded members of Colorado's Black community. They're inspired, they're invested, and they support brands that genuinely show up for them.
The experience features a professional fitness instructor leading an all-levels group workout, a live DJ carrying the energy from warm-up to cool-down, healthy snacks and refreshments, branded towels for all attendees, and a school supply drive giving back to Colorado students. This is movement as celebration, and we want vendors who understand that assignment.
Vendors we're looking for: Fitness and health organizations, wellness brands, athletic apparel, supplement and nutrition businesses, mental health and holistic wellness providers, and interactive or experiential health activations.