BeyGOOD Gifts $100K to Texas Southern’s Ocean of Soul for Music and Academics
By June 27, 2025 (HOUSTON) — The BeyGOOD Foundation, founded by global music icon and Houston native Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, has awarded a gift of $100,000 to Texas Southern University’s Ocean of Soul Marching Band to support the band’s musical excellence and academic achievement.
“We are deeply appreciative of the BeyGOOD Foundation for this significant demonstration of its commitment to empowering our student musicians and elevating their form of artistic expression,” said Texas Southern University President J.W. Crawford III.
The grant follows the collaborative “Beyoncé Bowl” 2024 Christmas Day performance during halftime of the Houston Texans-Baltimore Ravens football game streamed on Netflix. Over 200 members of the Ocean of Soul took the field with Knowles-Carter during the now iconic performance that marked a powerful celebration for Houston pride and was a masterclass in excellence.
“The Ocean of Soul is known for its signature sound, precision, and choreography,” said Band Director Brian Simmons. “Mrs. Knowles-Carter’s vision for the ‘Beyoncé Bowl’ challenged us to rise even higher, and our students met the challenge with energy, soul, and discipline. To be handpicked for this performance is a testament to the legacy of Texas Southern.”
“The BeyGOOD Foundation’s impactful investment affirms the powerful role that HBCUs play in shaping the next generation of artistic, academic, and cultural leaders,” said Charlie Coleman III, Senior Associate Vice President of Development & Alumni Engagement. “This partnership does more than support the Ocean of Soul – it opens doors for our students to access the arts in life-changing ways, inspired by one of the most beloved artists of our time. It is a shining example of how philanthropy can uplift communities and ignite futures.”
Funds from the grant will support scholarships for marching band members, recruitment and retention, and enhancements to infrastructure and technology.
