Reggie Scott Honors HBCU Band Legacy with ‘Celebrating Champions of Culture’ and the PEPSI® National Battle of the Bands

As the Vice President of Operations and Production for the PEPSI® National Battle of the Bands (NBOTB), Reggie Scott spends his days fine-tuning the details of one of the most exuberant showcases of Black musical excellence in the country. But for Scott, an alumnus of Howard University, the work is more than just logistics and sound checks, it’s legacy in motion.

In honor of Black Music Month, NBOTB began re-airing Celebrating Champions of Culture on May 31. The documentary captures the electrifying energy of the 10th anniversary of the NBOTB celebration in Houston while telling the deeper story of how HBCU bands serve as vessels of artistry, leadership, and Black musical innovation.

“Ten years of anything rooted in legacy and culture is a milestone,” Scott told OffTheYard.Net. “We’ve had students who performed at NBOTB come back as band directors. That’s full circle. That’s what this work is all about.”

Scott’s personal journey began at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) before transferring to Howard University in the early ’80s, a move that would deeply shape his worldview.

“I wanted to be around more people who looked like me,” said Scott. “When I got to Howard, it was the first time I saw Black people from places like Utah and Colorado. That exposure changed me, it gave me perspective, creativity, and a network I still lean on today.”

Although Scott wasn’t in the band at Howard, his early days in a Brooklyn drum corps planted a seed. Over the years, that connection to rhythm evolved into a passion for producing large-scale cultural events. After more than a decade producing the Honda Battle of the Bands, Scott brought his expertise to NBOTB, where he now helps lead one of the largest HBCU band showcases in the nation.

As executive producer of Celebrating Champions of Culture, Scott shaped the vision for the film before entrusting a younger protégé to take the reins on writing and directing, an intentional act of mentorship rooted in his belief in passing the torch.

“I’ve mentored this young filmmaker since he graduated,” Scott said. “For the fifth installment of the doc, I wanted him to bring his voice to the story while honoring what we’ve built. He did a tremendous job.”

The documentary highlights personal stories from student performers and band directors alike, many of whom are rarely recognized on a national level despite their outsized influence. It also celebrates Black educators and icons through NBOTB’s Hall of Fame segment, which Scott helped introduce to give people their flowers.

“We made a very special point to acknowledge and honor people who are still present with us, who don’t get the recognition they deserve for uplifting or educating our young people,” he told OffTheYard.

Similarly, outside of the documentary, Scott leads a team united in their commitment to treating HBCU bands with the first-class care and reverence they deserve.

“Every band that comes into market with us has their own space, three meals a day, hotel accommodations, and the opportunity to shine in front of 65,000 people,” said Scott. “Our mission has never changed: to uplift students and get scholarships into their hands.”

That same commitment to excellence and respect extends beyond the field and into the storytelling behind the scenes, helping shift perceptions about HBCU bands, which for years were overlooked or stereotyped as entertainment-only.

“I think the word is exposure,” Scott said. “There was a time when Black bands were dismissed as just ‘booty shakers,’ people didn’t see the musicianship, the discipline, the artistry. But now, more and more bands are adopting the HBCU style because they realize how dynamic and impactful it is. It’s not just music, it’s dancers, it’s pageantry, it’s storytelling.”

Cultural moments, from Southern University performing at the Super Bowl to Texas Southern appearing with Kendrick Lamar, and Beyoncé’s Homecoming, have helped shine a national spotlight on the power and precision of HBCU bands.

“This documentary contributes to that momentum by putting these bands on a national stage,” Scott told OffTheYard. “People are seeing them in a new light, as innovators, not imitators. And now, these stories are sparking generational conversations, grandparents and students watching together, connecting through pride and shared legacy.”

Scott and his team are now gearing up for the 2025 National Battle of the Bands, returning August 23 to NRG Stadium in Houston. This year’s lineup includes eight diverse programs from across the HBCU landscape.

“We don’t just bring the biggest bands,” Scott noted. “We mix it up intentionally. Smaller and mid-sized bands get their shine too. Because this platform is about opportunity, experience, and equity.”

Whether it’s overseeing thousands of student performers or amplifying their stories on screen, Scott sees his work as a labor of love and a call to action.

“It’s about telling our story and preserving our history,” he said. “When someone watches this documentary and says, ‘I didn’t know that,’ or ‘That’s my alma mater,’ we’ve done our job. Because now, that story lives on.”

Celebrating Champions of Culture re-airs nationwide beginning May 31. For more information on the 2025 PEPSI® National Battle of the Bands, visit www.nationalbattleofthebands.com.