Chicago Alumni of Black Colleges Raise Awareness Through Football Classic

City leaders, judges and C-suite-level executives are among the Chicago-based alumni of Historically Black Colleges and Universities raising awareness and attendance for their alma mater ahead of the annual Chicago Football Classic at Soldier Field.

The game itself, known as "the battle of the HUs," matches up Hampton and Howard universities on Sept. 14, fueling a rivalry born in 1908. The two schools competed in the same conference for almost a century before Hampton became a member of the Big South Conference last year.

It all leads up to the 22nd annual game played on Chicago Bears turf "where the world will find out who's the real HU."

Amid the competition, game organizers and school alums from both schools remain clear about the true theme of the match: "It's more than just a game." It spotlights the Chicago Football Classic Scholarship Fund.

"The purpose of the CFC Scholarship Fund is to support the educational goals of disadvantaged youth and ensure that those deserving scholars are not deprived of the opportunity to receive a higher education from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)," organizers said in a statement.

The mission of the fund echoes the intent of former HBCU students whose impressive careers reflect the foundation of the schools' heritage, curriculum and student support.

Here's a look at some of the Chicago-based alumni backing the program:

Hampton University

Shannon Andrews, Chief Procurement Officer, City of Chicago

Curtis McKinney, Project Coordinator, City of Chicago

Leslie Anderson, US & International Head of Workplace, BMO Harris

Gyata Kimmons, CEO, Ridge Strategy Group