PINE BLUFF, Ark. — This weekend has felt like one big holiday for the Pine Bluff community as the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff family celebrates this year's homecoming.
With people of all ages making their way back to the yard, it's a time when everyone comes together to experience the Golden Lion pride and to check out staple businesses in the local community.
"This means a lot for the Pine Bluff community," said Shameka Mack, a Pine Bluff resident. "To see everyone fellowshipping, supporting one another and just to see that the businesses that are booming."
For HBCUs across the country, homecoming is much more than a celebration. It's a time for students to network, alums to remember their time on the hill, and for the community to flourish.
Local businesses like Aisha's Fish and Chicken are not only important to the Pine Bluff community, but they are a piece of the UAPB culture that everyone can't wait to experience. Serving the community since 1993, it's the reminiscent feeling that radiates from many alums who have missed the taste of Aisha's since their college days.
"Since they moved over here, every chance I get I try to hit them up," said Juliet Jackson who has been a customer of Aisha's for over 20 years.
Jackson and other customers share similar stories and said that the first thing they do when entering the Pine Bluff area is go to Aisha's Fish and Chicken.
Once they take a bite, their responses are mostly jaw-dropping and mouthwatering.
"It was so good! I was about to bite my fingers off," Carney Handley said.
Aisha Piggie took over the family business and since then, she has strived to keep the tradition going strong.
During homecoming, she's most excited to show new customers and long-lasting ones, what the family restaurant brings.
"It does mean a lot to me, especially being that it's something my parents started in 1993. I did want to keep this going," Piggie said. "It's not something I wanted to let die off after all their hard work in the community."
While homecoming tends to bring even more business and longer hours, Piggie said that doesn't bother her. It's her love for the business and catering to the community that means the most.
"I know it seems like a lot when I'm back there cooking, but I really enjoy the overwhelming of everything and feeding the community and customers. So I mean, it's actually something I enjoy doing," she added.