Kendra Bulluck-Major is Expanding her Business Empire through Legacy Sports
The Orange Blossom Classic (OBC), a long-standing tradition in the HBCU sports community, is set to begin its new chapter under the multi-year naming rights agreement as the Invesco QQQ Orange Blossom Classic. This year's event will kick off with The Elevation Experience, a free, one-day leadership and empowerment event, marking its official start.
As the Executive Director of the Orange Blossom Classic, Kendra Bulluck-Major is making a significant impact in the HBCU sports world. Bulluck-Major, the only Black woman in the United States to own exclusive rights to a major HBCU sports property, is redefining leadership and breaking barriers in a male-dominated industry.
The Elevation Experience, Bulluck-Major's brainchild, aims to convene women leaders, creatives, entrepreneurs, and change-makers. The event will feature a headline performance by Grammy-nominated artist Yo-Yo, as well as appearances by media personality Pretty Vee, restaurateur and entrepreneur Ebony Austin, and beauty executive Erika J.
Bulluck-Major's passion for the Orange Blossom Classic stems from her father's stories and his pride in Florida A&M University. She believes that women are significant contributors to sports culture, and the OBC reflects this. Her mission is to break barriers that suggest Black women cannot scale, that their ideas are not worthy of capital, and that their culture is only valuable when it fits a stereotype.
Through her work with the Orange Blossom Classic, Bulluck-Major is promoting the cultural and historical significance of HBCU sports, reinforcing the importance of these events beyond mere athletic competitions. The OBC has transformed into a cultural enterprise, spanning sports, entrepreneurship, and community.
Bullock-Major leads with purpose, carrying the weight of legacy for the entire community that gathers around the event every year. She is not just interested in leaving a blueprint but in leaving open doors, broken ceilings, and unapologetic examples of what's possible when Black women lead in their fullness.
Bulluck-Major wants to ensure every attendee of the Elevation Experience feels included and valued. She is challenging traditional notions about leadership, aiming to break the stereotype that Black women cannot lead in male-dominated spaces. The OBC under Bulluck-Major is designed to represent women's presence in various aspects, including the boardroom, tailgates, and the 50-yard line.
The organization has already raised over $400,000 in scholarship funds for HBCU students, demonstrating Bulluck-Major's commitment to empowering the next generation of Black women leaders. With the Elevation Experience and the Invesco QQQ Orange Blossom Classic, Bulluck-Major is setting a powerful example of what can be achieved when Black women lead with purpose, passion, and determination.
Kendra Bulluck-Major, as the Executive Director of the Invesco QQQ Orange Blossom Classic, is utilizing her role to champion HBCU sports, particularly Florida A&M University, and is dedicated to empowering Black women in sports and leadership. The Elevation Experience, her brainchild, aims to foster inclusive leadership and highlight the significant contributions of Black women in sports, from the boardroom to the 50-yard line, while also raising funds for HBCU scholarships.
