There's not a four-year Historically Black College or University west of the Texas border.

So, while HBCUs boast a rich history tied with the Raiders, it's fair to assume the city of Las Vegas doesn't truly know what they can expect in Allegiant Stadium on October 25.

Yes, a football game will be at the reason Jackson State and Grambling State face off for the inaugural Las Vegas HBCU Classic. The two schools have rich history as rivals and with producing NFL talent.

Names like Eddie Robinson, Willie Brown, Walter Payton, Jackie Slater and Doug Williams come to mind.

"When I was first approached about the Las Vegas HBCU Classic, I went to my boss, Mark Davis, and he was like, absolutely. Get it done," Raiders President Sandra Douglass Morgan told Sports Illustrated. "The love, adoration, support and most importantly, respect for HBCUs runs deep in the Raiders."

However, for those unfamiliar with HBCU football culture this side of the Mississippi, this will be more than just a football game being played in Las Vegas.

This will be an experience.

In weeks, the city of bright lights will be overtaken by unapologetic Black culture. This stems from the soul food being served at tailgates, to the stunning fashion choices at parades and galas and the boisterous sounds coming from brass instruments and drums.

Las Vegas has already seen a sneak peak of Grambling's "World Famed Tiger Marching Band" from their halftime performance during the Raiders’ victory over the Philadelphia Eagles in 2021.

Raiders Alumni Andrew Glover and Toby Myles are also alumni of these two respective universities, with their fondest memories going deeper than the gridiron.

The Raiders and Grambling State have history dating back to acquiring their former cornerback Willie Brown from the Denver Broncos, who ultimately became a Pro Football Hall of Fame cornerback for the Silver and Black. Glover, a former tight end, was a three-sport athlete at Grambling State, recruited by College Football Hall of Fame Coach Robinson and was later drafted by the Raiders in 1991.

He believes a lot of the pomp and circumstances now seen in the NFL originates from the HBCU gameday atmosphere.

"I think a lot of those individuals went to those games and they got a lot of ideas, specifically with the dancers and the entertainment and the big band," Glover said. "And we used to push the ball down the field a lot. The long passes and the excitement of the game overall. I think the AFL noticed it first and the NFL followed."

"It's part of our brand. It's what we do," Glover added. "We go in and we impact the people, we impact the culture, we impact the crowd."

Myles, a former offensive tackle, transferred to Jackson State as an upperclassman after going away to play at Power-Five program Mississippi State. As a Jackson, Mississippi, native, he described the decision as a homecoming in more ways than one.

"Just really a family mentality, lot of soul involved," Myles said. "We put our special thing on everything we do as far as football, the music, Greek life. It was just a great experience for me going to a HBCU.

"It was really just an electric atmosphere. It was almost like it was a game going on, but it was a party at the same time. It's a scene that you can't hardly duplicate. Just seeing it is believing it."

It's fitting this game will be played at the Raiders home stadium, as more than 80 players and coaches who have donned the Silver and Black attended a HBCU.

This includes four Pro Football Hall of Famers: Willie Brown, former Raiders assistant coach Jackie Slater, Art Shell, the first African American head coach in the modern era, and Jerry Rice, the NFL career leader in receptions and receiving yards.

Al Davis was also responsible for drafting quarterback Elridge Dickey from HBCU program Tennessee State. Dickey was the first Black quarterback to be selected in the first round of any professional football draft.

"I remember the first day I met Mr. Davis when I was traded from the Giants," Myles recalled. "Mr. Davis was coming out of the building and he started walking in my direction. And when Mr. Davis came and talked to me, he let me know how happy he was to have me and how he especially loved to come get good players from HBCUs. And he put his money where his mouth was."

Glover concurred. "We just wanted to have an opportunity to showcase our talent, and for me, I think we have the opportunity to allow the next generation to see where you could go," he said. "And definitely the Raiders and Al Davis have the history of giving us opportunities to showcase our talents."

Las Vegas has been known for embracing Black culture dating back to Sammy Davis Jr. and Nat King Cole headlining on the Strip. The movement would continue to be kicked into high gear with the Moulin Rouge agreement of 1960 breaking down color barriers for entertainers.

With this inaugural showcase, the realms of college football and entertainment will collide like never before in the city of Las Vegas. Fitting for a city now deemed "The Sports and Entertainment Capital of the World."

"I appreciate the Raiders and I appreciate Las Vegas for thinking of us," Glover said, "to bring a game of this magnitude to Las Vegas and to showcase out talent and allow our fanbase to come from all over the country. To have the opportunity to experience Allegiant Stadium, to experience Las Vegas and for everybody to have a good time.

"Gonna be like one big family reunion."

For information on tickets and travel packages for the Las Vegas HBCU Classic, visit allegiantstadium.com/lvhbcuclassic or @lvhbcuclassic on Instagram and X.