Members of Virginia State University’s Marching Band practice music and high-stepping routines before the school’s recent homecoming game. Taylor Whitehead is the interim band director for Virginia State University’s 120- member marching band, known as the “Trojan Explosion.”
Stories this photo appears in:

Tight-knit bond keeps ‘Trojan Explosion’ strong
“To get recognition and respect, we have to work twice as hard, which means getting results that are twice as good’
When you attend a football game at an HBCU, the halftime show is not the time to use the restroom or grab refreshments.