Social media personality and food critic Keith Lee made a historic visit to Dillard University on Feb. 13, 2026, drawing excitement across campus.

This was Lee’s first time visiting an HBCU, so students gathered quickly as word spread, turning the appearance into an energetic community moment.

Lee learned about Dillard from Paris Allen, a public health major serving as Mister Junior, at his community meal giveaway event with Larry Morrow and Morrow’s Hospitality back in December 2025.

“During that conversation, I shared with him about HBCUs, and specifically about Dillard University. I told him about the rich history of our institution and how it continues to play a pivotal role in the success of students today,” said Allen

With the help of Allen and Destinee’ Kerr, Xavier University of Louisiana alum and founder of HBCU Friendsgiving, Keith Lee’s visit came to fruition.

“We’ve been partnering with her [Kerr] for the last two years on different events, so Keith’s team reached out to her and told her about the opportunity. She thought Dillard would be a great place, and I agreed,” said Courtney Williams, CSAEd, Dean of Students and Chief Student Affairs Officer.

For many students, Lee’s presence represented a rare moment of wide visibility for an HBCU community. Media outlets like Nola.com, Yahoo Entertainment, WWL-TV, HBCU Buzz, and HBCU Pulse highlighted this historic event.

This visit served as a lead-up to his first‑ever Keith Lee’s Family Day Festival, presented in partnership with Morrows Hospitality and Live Nation Urban. The event is scheduled for May 16, 2026, at the UNO Lakefront Festival Grounds.

This latest endeavor highlights Lee’s growing partnership with Larry Morrow and Morrow’s Hospitality, deepening his connection to the food and culture scene here in New Orleans. 

Over the past year, Lee has consistently given a spotlight to New Orleans businesses through his reviews, helping many reach wider audiences. Lee also made an appearance at the inaugural Southern Hospitality Conference back in January, further cementing his presence in the city’s evolving culinary scene. 

As excitement builds for his upcoming festival, the city’s relationship with Lee and, in turn, his love for the city, continues to grow. Lee also attended his first Mardi Gras this year. He highlighted the whole experience, as well as his visit to Dillard, on his Instagram page.