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Kendra Bulluck Major is more than a sports executive—she’s a movement. As the Executive Director of the Orange Blossom Classic (OBC), Bulluck Major has redefined what an HBCU sports property can be. Under her leadership, the OBC has evolved into a nationally recognized celebration of Black excellence, heritage, and legacy. She’s also one of the few women to own and operate a historically Black college and university (HBCU) sports property, raising more than $400,000 in scholarships and bringing new life to a storied tradition that began in 1933.
Kendra spoke exclusively with Porsha Monique, Founder of Revelence Media, to discuss the excitement of bringing back the Classic rivalry game between FAMU and Howard University on Saturday, August 30, 2025 at the Hard Rock stadium in Miami Gardens. They also discussed the cultural significance of the Classic, what fans can expect, educational opportunities during the Classic weekend and so much more.
Porsha Monique: Who is Kendra Bulluck Major? Can you take us back to your beginnings and share what shaped your passion for entrepreneurship, community, and sports?
Kendra Bulluck Major: I’m a mother, an entrepreneur, a daughter, a friend—just your everyday woman. I was fortunate to grow up in a family of entrepreneurs and educators, so I was always surrounded by people who were building something of their own. That environment deeply inspired me.
When I had my son—he’s now 22 and a student-athlete at Florida A&M University—I remember thinking, “I don’t want to ask for permission to take him to the doctor or be there for his school field trips.” That was the motivation behind working for myself. Also, during college, I saw what my boss was making compared to my paycheck, and I knew I wanted my check to look like his. That was the beginning of my entrepreneurial path.
Porsha Monique: I love that. So many of us were conditioned to ask for permission, but you carved out your own lane. And you’re right, there’s room for both paths.
Kendra Bulluck Major: Absolutely. Some people thrive working for others, and some are built to lead. I always say, “You eat what you kill.” It’s not for the faint of heart, but it’s incredibly rewarding. There are definitely days I miss the consistency of a paycheck on the 15th and 30th, but I wouldn’t trade betting on myself for anything.
Porsha Monique: Let’s talk about the theme for this year’s Orange Blossom Classic—Built on History, Fueled by Pride. What does that phrase mean to you personally, and how does it reflect your mission?
Kendra Bulluck Major: That theme has so many layers. Built on history speaks directly to the legacy of the Orange Blossom Classic, which began in 1933 here in Miami and ran until 1978. It was once considered the Black National Championship—what we now know as the Celebration Bowl used to be the OBC.
This year, the matchup between FAMU and Howard University mirrors the original 1933 game, bringing the story full circle. Fueled by pride reflects the pride I have in my community, my family, and my heritage. My father appreciated this game, and now my own son plays in it. It’s surreal. I brought the OBC back because I knew what it meant to our community and our legacy.
Porsha Monique: What an incredible honor for your son to play in a game his mom leads! In the intro, we mentioned you’re one of the first women to own an HBCU sports property. Can you talk more about that?
Kendra Bulluck Major: I’m actually one of two. There was another woman who led a Classic, I believe, in Detroit for a while, though I’m not sure if it still exists. Regardless, I’m proud to be among the few women doing this at any scale. I didn’t set out to be a “first”—I just followed my passion and did the work. But if my journey opens doors for other women, then that’s the real win.
Porsha Monique: How have you preserved the heritage of the Orange Blossom Classic while also reimagining it for a new generation of fans and student athletes?
Kendra Bulluck: The beautiful thing about the Orange Blossom Classic (OBC) and other classics is that there’s something for everyone. Every year, we highlight the history of the OBC through storytelling, interviews, and documentaries. We also honor our OBC Legends—individuals who played in the original classic or were part of the Marching 100, including those who marched in the 1970s right here in Miami.
We make space for these legends to share their stories, which keeps the history alive. At the same time, we reimagine the event for today’s generation with entertainment, nightlife, and parties. It’s a perfect blend that appeals to audiences from toddlers to seniors.
Porsha Monique: As one of the few Black women who owns exclusive rights to a major sports property, what has your journey taught you about resilience, representation, and redefining power in the sports industry?
Kendra Bulluck: Resilience is entrepreneurship 101. I recently spoke to a football team about entrepreneurship, and I emphasized the importance of being innovative, resilient, and willing to fail—just fail forward.
Being a woman in this space, particularly in event property ownership, can feel isolating. But it’s taught me to always be prepared. When I enter a room, the first thing people notice is that I’m a woman—and I’m proud of that. But I also make sure I’m knowledgeable and confident in my business acumen. Eventually, people respect you for who you are, not your gender.
Being a woman also has its advantages, especially in relationship-building and negotiation. I embrace the duality of being nurturing yet firm. And I never forget that young girls are watching, so I make it a point to pour into them and show them what’s possible.
Porsha Monique: In addition to entrepreneurship, how important has mentorship and community support been to your success? What advice would you give to other women, especially women of color?
Kendra Bulluck: Mentorship is critical. I have several mentors, and I get nervous when I meet someone who doesn’t. You should always be listening and learning from someone who’s been where you are trying to go.
One of my strongest mentors is a female athletic director who’s broken many barriers in Florida sports. The other is a male who has produced major bowl games. Their guidance has been invaluable. I’ve learned from them, and I pass that knowledge along to others.
If you don’t have a mentor, that means you’re only consulting yourself—and that’s dangerous.
Porsha Monique: Let’s talk about Game Day and the cultural significance of this year’s matchup on August 30, 2025—Howard vs. FAMU. It’s a historical season opener. How do you plan to honor the significance of their original matchup, and what can fans expect from this year’s experience?
Kendra Bulluck: This year is magical. The first Orange Blossom Classic was held in 1933, featuring FAMU and Howard. The last time they played each other in the OBC was 1974. This will be the third installment, and in 2023, they also faced off in the National Championship. We’ll have video tributes honoring the original games, start to finish.
Our press conference in May will be held at a newly renovated historic Black-only hotel, which hosted dignitaries during the early classics. When Jackson State came in 2021, we took their team on a tour of key landmarks. We’ll do the same this year to preserve and retell the story.
On game day, we’ll display photos and videos from the past and highlight the 2023 National Championship. Coach Simmons, who led FAMU to that win, is now at FIU and will be one of our honorary captains. FIU is also playing Bethune-Cookman the Friday before, so you’ll see a mix of fans and even a little taste of the Florida Classic. It’s going to be a huge HBCU weekend with tributes to all HBCUs, the history of the game, and the championship legacy.
Porsha Monique: Before we leave the topic of cultural significance, let’s talk about the Battle of the Bands. It’s something people really look forward to. Why was it important for you to center HBCU culture in these events, and how do you measure the community impact?
Kendra Bulluck: You can’t have an HBCU classic without the bands. For a lot of people, the halftime show is the main event. The bands often overshadow the game itself!
From a community standpoint, it’s impactful. Schools like Howard don’t often make it down to South Florida, so this gives local kids a chance to see and experience their bands and learn about other HBCUs. In Florida, students mostly attend FAMU, Bethune-Cookman, or Alabama State. But now, they’re being introduced to schools like Howard and Jackson State, and eventually Grambling.
It opens minds. I have a niece at Morgan State who loved it so much she stayed for grad school. Exposure through these events helps students consider HBCUs they may not have before. Some schools have even reported an increase in applications from this area after participating in the game. That means a lot.
Porsha Monique: Let’s talk about the $400,000 in scholarships that have been raised through the Orange Blossom Classic. Tell us about the scholarship program. How can students apply? And if you can remember, share one of the stories that touched you the most.
Kendra Bulluck: We’ve been fortunate to have support from corporate partners and individuals. In addition to sponsoring the game, their foundations also support our scholarship program. We award scholarships to current university students and to high school seniors who’ve been accepted into an HBCU—especially those attending our participating universities. Once those are fulfilled, we extend scholarships to others.
There are many touching stories. One that stands out is a young woman who shared that the scholarship allowed her to focus on school and her social life—what college should be about—without the stress of paying for books or tuition.
Another memorable example is from our partner, AvMed. They awarded a scholarship specifically for student-athletes with unpaid medical bills. It’s something we don’t often think about—insurance doesn’t cover everything, and not every student-athlete is on a full scholarship. This type of support means they don’t have to worry about affording doctor visits or facing issues at check-in. Those stories really show the heart behind what we do.
Porsha Monique: Speaking of another love story, your father’s love for you helped inspire this journey. Can you talk about that and how you incorporate his legacy into your work?
Kendra Bulluck: Yes, my father was my first introduction to the Orange Blossom Classic. He always talked about the parade and how huge the event was—especially the Marching 100 Band. I was in the band in high school, but I stayed home and went to FIU, so I didn’t get to be part of the Marching 100 Band.
But now, I’ve been able to say to my dad, “I’m bringing the Marching 100 to you.” It’s personal because he’s still here to witness it. Every year that we’ve had the parade, he’s been front and center. He’s always at the game. And now, not only is he in the stands, but his grandson is on the field—and his daughter is producing the game. It’s three generations involved. That’s legacy.
Porsha Monique: What a gift to your father, an honor for your son, and a beautiful legacy you’re building. Not just for your family, but for the culture. Let’s not forget—we are a part of this. What do you hope people say about your work with the OBC—10, 20, even 50 years from now?
Kendra Bulluck: I hope people say, “Yes, she’s the one who brought it back,” but more importantly, I hope the OBC is still thriving decades from now. I want people to say, “This is the person running it now,” hopefully women—and maybe even my own children. I don’t want it to stop with me. With community support, our partners, and ticket holders, I want it to go on and on. We’re the baby of the group, having restarted in 2021. We’re not yet the Bayou Classic, Magic City Classic, or Florida Classic—we don’t have that legacy yet. But I want the Orange Blossom Classic to be in that same conversation. Long after I’ve retired, I want someone to say, “I went to the Classic last weekend.”
Porsha Monique: What a legacy. I love it. You’ve turned the Orange Blossom Classic into a national stage for HBCU excellence. What’s next for you and the OBC?
Kendra Bulluck: Growth. We want to maintain strong partnerships and move beyond just Labor Day weekend. My dream is to build out year-round programming. We already host a career fair and a Careers in Sports and Entertainment Symposium during game week, but there’s more to do. We’re having discussions around wealth management for student-athletes and breaking down NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) deals. I want those conversations and educational moments to happen all year, with game week being the culmination—not the only time you hear from us.
Porsha Monique: And for those who want to get involved or stay connected, where can they go?
Kendra Bulluck: Visit orangeblossomclassic.com and sign up for our mailing list. That’s the best way to get first access to tickets and updates. Follow us on social media—Twitter, Instagram, Facebook—@OrangeBlossomFC. You’ll find everything from volunteer opportunities to sponsorship inquiries there too. We’re always looking for people who want to be part of our mission.
Porsha Monique: Labor Day weekend in Miami—the Orange Blossom Classic is the place to be. Kendra Bulluck Major, you’re not just preserving history—you’re living it. Thank you for everything you’re doing for the culture and in honor of your father.
Kendra Bulluck: Thank you so much.
Porsha Monique: This has truly been a masterclass in purpose, power, and pride. We can’t wait to see what’s next for you. Thank you for sharing your journey and continuing to uplift the community.
Kendra Bulluck: Thank you. I appreciate you too.
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