On a night when nearly 700 Florida A&M University graduates crossed the stage in Tallahassee, Oluwamodupe Oloyede was standing under the lights of Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta-mace in hand, legacy on her shoulders.
Affectionately known as “Dupe,” Oloyede is serving as head drum major for the 2025–2026 season, becoming just the second woman ever to hold the title and the first woman in history to lead the famed Marching “100” as head drum major.
Affectionately known as “Dupe,” Oloyede is serving as head drum major for the 2025–2026 season, becoming just the second woman ever to hold the title and the first woman in history to lead the famed Marching “100” as head drum major.
It’s a milestone that places her name permanently in the lineage of one of the most storied bands in HBCU history.
Friday, December 12 was supposed to mark Dupe’s graduation from Florida A&M University. Instead, she made a decision that reflected both her commitment to music and her belief in something bigger than herself.
Rather than walk across the stage at FAMU’s Fall 2025 Commencement Ceremony, Dupe chose to delay her graduation until the spring so she could lead the Marching “100” one final time at the Red Lobster Band of the Year competition in Atlanta.