Walk north on Georgia Avenue until you reach Howard Place, look up at the sky towards the east and you'll see, sitting high on a hill in the center of the nation’s capital, the bell tower that underscores one of the most magnificent campuses. And you’ll know you have found Howard University. It’s the country’s largest Historically Black University with over 10,000 students, 13 schools, 7 libraries and a hospital of its own. It is a beacon of power and excellence, so much so that, among those who know, it has earned the title of “The Mecca”. If you know Howard, you know that although Howard University provides top notch education through its Law School, Medical School, Hospital, Radio Station and Theater, it is not the only reason it is so significant to so many. It’s the Howard University Legacy.
You know about the great minds that have walked those halls. Thurgood Marshall studied Law at Howard before becoming a supreme court justice. Toni Morrison studied English at Howard before writing Beloved. Roberta Flack studied Music at Howard before recording Killing Me Softly with His Song. Howard University is a place where Black excellence is fostered so it can thrive. Let’s dig into what makes the Howard legacy so notable.
An article called from BlackPast.org tells us what makes Howard so powerful and unique: “Howard University has been labeled ‘the capstone of Negro education’ because of its central role in the African American educational experience. Among historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) Howard has produced the greatest number of graduates with advanced degrees [...] Howard University was chartered as a university by an act of the United States Congress in 1867. It is the only HBCU to hold that distinction.”
Howard continues to push the limits beyond its campus and channel its influence through activism, athletics, and community service. Black people from virtually every state and over 70 countries have chosen to study there and it is known as the largest gathering of Black scholars in the world.
All of this Black excellence has created an enduring legacy that is celebrated every year. And every homecoming, thousands of people from far and wide come back to commemorate it. Howard University calls us. It draws us in. holds us firmly, and breathes life into us so that we may carry that forward into the world.To attend Howard University is to be influenced and molded by leadership, excellence, truth and service. Rep the legacy with the The Mecca Seal Unisex Tee.
HU. You know.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Bibi Mama is a first generation Beninese-American actress born and raised in Mansfield, CT. Growing up she watched her father, an English professor and author, continue the Yoruba oral tradition through storytelling, which inspired her. She earned her B.F.A. from Howard University and recently finished her MFA at the Old Globe/University of San Diego MFA Graduate Acting Program.