New mark celebrates the Lone Star State and Dallas' deep basketball tradition as the Conference prepares to bring its premier championship event to Ellis Davis Field House and Paul Quinn College, February 24–28, 2027
DALLAS, Texas [September 1, 2026]— The HBCU Athletic Conference (HBCUAC) today unveiled the official championship logo for the 2027 Hope Credit Union HBCUAC Basketball Championship, set for February 24–28, 2027, at Ellis Davis Field House and Paul Quinn College. The new mark is a visual love letter to the host city and the state that will welcome HBCUAC student-athletes, coaches, and fans for a week of championship basketball.
Designed to reflect the identity of Dallas and Texas as a whole, the logo places a bold star at its center — an unmistakable nod to the Lone Star State and everything the star represents across Texas culture: independence, pride, and a guiding presence that has long symbolized the state's identity on the national stage. In Dallas, that same star carries additional weight as a marker of ambition and achievement, making it a fitting centerpiece for a championship that will crown the best in HBCU basketball.
The design intentionally scales up several key elements to reflect the size and stature of sports in Dallas. Basketball has deep roots in the city and across North Texas, and the logo's oversized typography and prominent basketball imagery are meant to capture that scale — signaling that this championship belongs in a city where the game is played, watched, and celebrated at the highest level.
"This logo represents so much more than a tournament — it represents where we're going as a Conference and who we're partnering with to get there," said HBCUAC Commissioner Dr. Kiki Baker Barnes. "Dallas is a basketball city, and this design honors that energy while staying true to who we are as an HBCU family. When our student-athletes and fans see this mark, we want them to feel the pride of Texas and the excitement of championship week."
"The bold design of this logo is a fantastic representation of Dallas. Our city is just as bold as the logo and will be a phenomenal platform to launch the future of the HBCUAC's basketball championship," said Monica Paul, Executive Director of the Dallas Sports Commission. "Dallas is known for college basketball excellence. We can't wait to welcome fans back to our city to celebrate this premier championship."
A Growing Platform for Sponsors and Community Partners
The unveiling of the new logo also marks the opening of sponsorship and advertising opportunities for the 2027 Hope Credit Union HBCUAC Basketball Championship. Community partners, corporations, and brands are invited to align with the Conference at a moment of significant momentum: between February 1 and May 15, 2026 alone, HBCUAC's Instagram content surpassed 1 million views on three separate occasions, reflecting the growing digital footprint and engaged fan base the Conference has built across its championships, member institutions, and student-athlete storytelling.
That expanded reach positions the 2027 Championship as one of the most visible platforms in HBCU athletics, offering sponsors direct access to an engaged, growing, and passionate fan base. Interested organizations are encouraged to contact the HBCUAC Conference Office to learn more about available sponsorship tiers and advertising packages.
Fans can keep up with all tournament details — including schedules, ticket information, and championship week updates — by visiting Tournament Central at tournaments.hbcuac.org.
About the HBCU Athletic Conference
The HBCU Athletic Conference (HBCUAC) is the only HBCU conference in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). Membership includes Dillard University (La.), Fisk University (Tenn.), Huston-Tillotson University (Texas), Oakwood University (Ala.), Paul Quinn College (Texas), Philander Smith University (Ark.), Rust College (Miss.), Southern University at New Orleans (La.), Stillman College (Ala.), Talladega College (Ala.), Tougaloo College (Miss.), University of the Virgin Islands (St. Thomas), Voorhees University (S.C.), Wilberforce University (Ohio) and Wiley University (Texas). Jarvis Christian University (Texas) joins as the league's 16th member in 2026-27, making the HBCUAC the largest HBCU athletic conference in the nation. The HBCUAC sponsors championships in men's and women's basketball, men's and women's cross country, men's and women's soccer, men's and women's track and field, women's volleyball, softball and baseball.
