Supported by AT&T Dream In Black, Taco Bell, Toyota and Twix, The HBCU Tour Will Visit Tennessee State University, Hampton University and North Carolina A&T
KevOnStage, Crystal Renee and Key Wane Will Join Paul Rivera on The First Stop
LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 9, 2023 – This fall, The Shop, the marquee franchise from The SpringHill Company, will launch “The Shop UNINTERRUPTED HBCU Tour” supported by AT&T Dream In Black (DIB), Taco Bell, Toyota and Twix and open the doors of The Shop on HBCU (Historically Black College and University) campuses for the first time to cultivate conversations amongst the next generation of Black innovators.
As alumni, faculty, current students and local communities gather to celebrate Homecoming Season, The Shop has teamed up with select brand partners to bring the shop chairs, celebrity guests and candid conversations to three HBCU campuses — Tennessee State University, Hampton University and North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University for an unforgettable experience centered around the power of community and collaboration.
“Barbershops and HBCUs hold important roles within Black and Brown communities and are cornerstones in cultivating and educating the next generation of Black and Brown thought-leaders. As we continue to highlight the communities that we started in, bringing The Shop to HBCU campuses was a top priority, said Paul Rivera, Co-Creator of The Shop and Chief Brand Officer at The SpringHill Company. “This tour enables us to highlight aspirational talent through meaningful conversation that can inspire students to dream beyond the classroom during one of Black culture’s most notable moments — Homecoming.”
Doubling down on The Shop’s mission to bring people together through conversations, products and experiences, The Shop UNINTERRUPTED HBCU Tour supported by AT&T Dream In Black, Taco Bell, Toyota and Twix is free to the general public (18+) and includes the following stops and activation elements:
STOP #1: Tennessee State University | Nashville, TN | Friday, October 13
Activation: 10am-2pm | Live Taping: 2-3pm
- EXPERIENCE THE SHOP LIVE: The Shop co-creator Paul Rivera will be joined by actor, comedian and content creator KevOnStage as guest co-host with special guests actress and producer Crystal Renee and music producer and songwriter Key Wane for an exclusive live taping of the multi-award-winning series The Shop UNINTERRUPTED.
- AT&T DREAM IN BLACK: The AT&T DIB Rising Future Makers (RFM) Showcase activation will lean into the vintage barbershop vibe found at The Shop and feature a photo activation, as well as kiosk for HBCU students to submit their application to become a part of the 2023 Rising Future Makers Class. The RFM Showcase is a contest for HBCU students, to enter for the chance to receive $5,000, technology, and access to industry experts in support of their dreams. The space will also highlight inspirational quotes and images from previous RFM winners. Blake Newby, influential editor, and the 2023 RFM coach, will also be on-site to answer questions about the RFM Showcase and provide students with tips on how to complete their entries.
- TOYOTA: Toyota will be on-site creating an impactful presence and experience, including an accessible display of the new Toyota Grand Highlander and a photo booth enabling students to capture their unique homecoming moments. There will also be DJs on-hand spinning music live in The Shop HBCU booth, a lounge for anyone wanting to pause and relax amid the festivities, Toyota gift bag giveaways and more.
- TWIX: TWIX is an ‘AND’ in a world of ‘OR’s’ and during The Shop UNINTERRUPTED HBCU Tour, the brand will lean into the duality of TWIX. There will be a special photo moment for attendees to showcase their own unique dualities. To add an extra layer of sweetness, there will also be candy stations with TWIX bars and Mars products.
- UNFORGETTABLE FAN MOMENTS: From interactive photo moments that will provide ample selfie opportunities to the DJ creating the vibes throughout the day, there is something for everyone.
STOP #2: Hampton University | Hampton, VA | Friday, October 27
Activation: 1-4pm | Live Taping: 4-5pm | Special Concert: 9pm
- EXPERIENCE THE SHOP LIVE: The Shop co-creator Paul Rivera and co-host Maverick Carter will be joined by special guests for an exclusive live taping of the multi-award-winning series The Shop UNINTERRUPTED.
- AT&T DREAM IN BLACK: The AT&T DIB Rising Future Makers (RFM) Showcase activation will lean into the vintage barbershop vibe found at The Shop and feature a photo activation, as well a kiosk for HBCU students to submit their application to become a part of the 2023 Rising Future Makers Class. The RFM Showcase is a contest for HBCU students, to enter for the chance to receive $5,000, technology, and access to industry experts in support of their dreams. The space will also highlight inspirational quotes and images from previous RFM winners.
- TWIX: TWIX is an ‘AND’ in a world of ‘OR’s’ and during The Shop UNINTERRUPTED HBCU Tour, the brand will lean into the duality of TWIX. There will be a special photo moment for attendees to showcase their own unique dualities. To add an extra layer of sweetness, there will also be candy stations with TWIX bars and Mars products.
- TACO BELL: There will be a can’t miss musical performance. In addition to hosting the concert, the Taco Bell Foundation will be presenting a $25,000 donation from Taco Bell to Hampton’s Music and Arts program. The Taco Bell Taco Truck will also be onsite providing Crunchy Tacos to students ahead of the show while supplies last.
- UNFORGETTABLE FAN MOMENTS: From interactive photo moments that will provide ample selfie opportunities to the DJ creating the vibes throughout the day, there is something for everyone.
STOP #3: North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University | Greensboro, NC Carolina | Thursday, November 2
Activation: 4-7pm | Live Taping: 7-8pm
- EXPERIENCE THE SHOP LIVE: The Shop co-creator Paul Rivera and co-host Maverick Carter will be joined by special guests for an exclusive live taping of the multi-award-winning series The Shop UNINTERRUPTED.
- AT&T DREAM IN BLACK: The AT&T DIB Rising Future Makers (RFM) Showcase activation will lean into the vintage barbershop vibe found at The Shop and feature a photo activation, as well a kiosk for HBCU students to submit their application to become a part of the 2023 Rising Future Makers Class. The RFM Showcase is a contest for HBCU students, to enter for the chance to receive $5,000, technology, and access to industry experts in support of their dreams. The space will also highlight inspirational quotes and images from previous RFM winners.
- TOYOTA: Toyota will be on-site creating an impactful presence and experience, including an accessible display of the new Toyota Grand Highlander and a photo booth enabling students to capture their unique homecoming moments. There will also be DJs on-hand spinning music live in The Shop HBCU booth, a lounge for anyone wanting to pause and relax amid the festivities, Toyota gift bag giveaways and more.
- TWIX: TWIX is an ‘AND’ in a world of ‘OR’s’ and during The Shop UNINTERRUPTED HBCU Tour, the brand will lean into the duality of TWIX. There will be a special photo moment for attendees to showcase their own unique dualities. To add an extra layer of sweetness, there will also be candy stations with TWIX bars and Mars products.
- UNFORGETTABLE FAN MOMENTS: From interactive photo moments that will provide ample selfie opportunities to the DJ creating the vibes throughout the day, there is something for everyone.
For more information on “The Shop UNINTERRUPTED HBCU Tour” supported by AT&T Dream In Black, Taco Bell, Toyota and Twix, please visit https://theshoplive.uninterrupted.com/ or follow @TheShopUN on social media.
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About The Shop UNINTERRUPTED: The Sports Emmy® Award winning series The Shop UNINTERRUPTED, co-created by Paul Rivera and Randy Mims, remains intact at being revolutionary and creating unique experiences where celebrated artists, entertainers, athletes and advocates come together for authentic, raw, untapped conversations and storytelling. Full episodes continue to be available on UNINTERRUPTED’s YouTube Channel.
About AT&T: We help more than 100 million U.S. families, friends and neighbors, plus nearly 2.5 million businesses, connect to greater possibility. From the first phone call 140+ years ago to our 5G wireless and multi-gig internet offerings today, we @ATT innovate to improve lives. For more information about AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T), please visit us at about.att.com. Investors can learn more at investors.att.com.
About Taco Bell: For more information about Taco Bell, visit our website at www.TacoBell.com, our Newsroom at www.TacoBell.com/news or www.TacoBell.com/popular-links. You can also stay up to date on all things Taco Bell by following us on LinkedIn, TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, Facebook and subscribing to our YouTube channel.
About Taco Bell Foundation: Taco Bell Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) public charity that helps America’s young people pursue their educational goals and career aspirations. Since 1992, the Taco Bell Foundation has reached more than 5 million young people across the country and has awarded $155 million in grants and scholarships, focused on education and career readiness. For more information about the Taco Bell Foundation, visit https://www.tacobellfoundation.org/.
About Toyota: Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in North America for more than 65 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next‐generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our more than 1,800 dealerships.
Toyota directly employs more than 48,000 people in North America, who have contributed to the design, engineering and assembly of nearly 45 million cars and trucks at our 13 manufacturing plants. By 2025, Toyota’s 14th plant in North Carolina will begin to manufacture automotive batteries for electrified vehicles. With more electrified vehicles on the road than any other automaker, Toyota currently offers 20 electrified options, with more in showrooms later this year.
Through the Start Your Impossible campaign, Toyota highlights the way it partners with community, civic, academic and governmental organizations to address our society’s most pressing mobility challenges. We believe that when people are free to move, anything is possible. For more information about Toyota, visit www.ToyotaNewsroom.com.
About Twix: Rooted in Purpose, Mars is driven by the belief that the world we want tomorrow starts with how we do business today. As a global, family-owned business, we’re working hard to ensure our iconic brands, including TWIX, are making a difference in society, and are constantly innovating to ensure that we’re making a positive impact on the world.
Media Contact: Maxine Dior Chapman | The Shop | Maxine.Chapman@TheSpringHillCompany.com