Each spring, Washington, D.C. transforms into a sea of pink, inviting people from around the world to take part in the National Cherry Blossom Festival—one of the District’s most iconic and unifying traditions. The festival commemorates the 1912 gift of Japanese cherry trees from Tokyo Mayor Yukio Ozaki to the people of Washington, D.C.
For the University of the District of Columbia, the festival commemorates more than just a welcome return to warm weather. It’s a shared moment of joy, celebration, partnership and hometown pride.
This year, UDC proudly celebrates 15 years as a sponsor and active partner of the National Cherry Blossom Festival, a role that has elevated the university’s visibility and affirmed its place as a vibrant and essential part of the life of the District.
And there’s no one better to share that story than Senior Adviser for University Events and Protocol Lee Brian Reba, who brought the festival partnership to UDC in 2011.
“The Cherry Blossom Festival shows the world just how beautiful and welcoming Washington, D.C., can be,” Reba reflects. “People from all cultures, all backgrounds, all walks of life come together to celebrate spring in our nation’s capital. In addition, the three-week festival and the tourism it generates provide a major economic boost to the District—and the university benefits from that energy and exposure.”
Reba joined the university in April 2010, and from the beginning, he envisioned a deeper alignment between UDC and the city’s largest springtime celebration. His leadership helped secure a partnership that continues to blossom, literally and figuratively.
Since that first year, more than 50 legacy cherry trees have been gifted to UDC by the National Cherry Blossom Festival. They now bloom across the Van Ness and Lamond-Riggs campuses, in front of the Student Center, around Cleveland L. Dennard Plaza and along Connecticut Avenue. Like UDC itself, the trees are living landmarks with deep roots in the District’s rich history and vibrant community.
“What I love about the cherry trees is that they are not only beautiful but also showcase the university as a vital part of the celebration,” Reba says. “These trees were a gift to UDC—something our university community and neighbors can enjoy right here on campus. They are a cherished reminder of the role we play in bringing the festival to life, year after year.”
Among the many ways Firebird Nation shows up each year is at the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade—a nationally televised event and one of the District’s most celebrated occasions—where UDC alumni and students, including members of our Divine Nine Greek organizations, proudly carry the university’s spirit.
Beyond the parade, UDC participates in the festival’s City in Bloom, which includes lighting the glass pillars on Dennard Plaza in pink. UDC is also home to one of the 25 official Art in Bloom sculptures which was donated to the university in 2022 through Reba’s efforts. The large-scale flower sculpture—installed in front of the Student Center—was designed by Kaila Garcia, a UDC studio arts major and Duke Ellington School of the Arts graduate.
“The sculpture stands as a vibrant symbol of student talent, creativity and UDC’s commitment to the broader artistic and cultural fabric of the District,” Reba says.
UDC plays an essential role behind the scenes as well. The university’s Dr. E.B. Henderson Sports Complex serves as an official rehearsal venue for performers featured in the parade.
“We open our doors to dance and cultural groups from across the country,” Reba says. “They rehearse right here at UDC. That kind of exposure—the reach of Firebird Nation during this moment—is truly and uniquely special in and of itself.”
Reba sees this work as both joyful and deeply meaningful. “Being aligned with an event like this, one that is celebrated around the world, positions the university exactly where we belong—as a key community member and cultural contributor,” Reba says. “It’s an illustration of our mission of public service and engagement. And it allows us to share our Firebird Nation pride with the world.”
That reach, he notes, is only growing. “The endless possibilities—and positive attention—this festival brings to the university lifts us up. It puts UDC in the company of major civic and cultural institutions. That’s a powerful place to be.”
From legacy trees to legacy-building moments, Reba takes enormous pride in how the partnership has grown over the last 15 years—and where it’s headed next.
“I love that UDC is part of the festival. I really do,” Reba says. “The festival reminds us that we’re not just in the city—we’re of the city. And that’s a distinction worth celebrating.”