About HSPVA Black Alumni Network

Creating a community of Black alumni from HSPVA, supporting alumni and current student endeavors, and providing resources, scholarships, and networking opportunities to champion the next generation of HSPVA artists and professionals

the check-in.

happenings.

the archives.

Our Story

The High School for the Performing and Visual Arts (HSPVA) in Houston, TX uniquely possesses a robust, creative, and diverse community whose 50-year legacy is especially felt within the entertainment industry. However, before Denise Ward (HSPVA Graduate – Vocal, 2012) founded the HSPVA Black Alumni Network, Inc. in October 2018, no other formal alumni network for the school existed. While consulting as an alumna on HSPVA’s Black History productions and building relationships with the students, Ward discovered that some students felt unsupported by members of the school faculty and staff; they were in need of guidance and networking opportunities with alumni who shared their respective artistic and cultural experiences.

Because of the award-winning, genre-shifting, and trailblazing legacy of Black alumni, demonstrated by artists like pianist Robert Glasper, actress Chandra Wilson, director Justin Simien, 9x GRAMMY award-winning producer Bryan Michael Cox, and countless others, Ward knew these needs could be met. With the generous support of the HSPVA Parents of Black History-Cultural, Diversity & Inclusion Committee (a multicultural team of supporters/volunteers that existed to support HSPVA’s world-class student artists-in-residence by promoting awareness of the continuing contributions to the arts made by African-Americans), the HSPVA Black Alumni Network (BAN) was officially formed.

The HSPVA Black Alumni Network’s stated purpose is to (1) connect Black alumni of HSPVA, (2) support alumni and current students’ endeavors, and (3) provide resources, scholarships, and networking opportunities to champion the next generation of HSPVA artists and professionals. It is through this Black Alumni Network culmination that we seek to build awareness, remind others of our strength in unity, and carve surveyable paths for students who, like many of us, encountered a high school experience unlike any other.

Want to Get Involved?

Serve

Want to be more involved in HSPVA BAN? The Creative Team is a collective of HSPVA alumni who coordinate events, programming, and fundraising on behalf of the network. All skills are helpful as we work to scale up the work and impact that we impart on alumni and future PVA students.

Support

We host several events, such as the Holiday Jam Social in December and the Alumni Happening in the summer. We currently have additional performance opportunities and collaborations in the works.

Check “The Happenings” page for more details.

Contribute

Support our vision as we seek to increase our monetary giving and award at least (10) students with scholarships or grants. We currently have a goal of $50K to fund scholarships and summer intensive training for Black HSPVA students.

Click here to give today!