Howard University, also known as the Mecca, has helped to create black history in the Washington D.C. area and the nation.
Howard University’s Homecoming evokes more than collegiate nostalgia; it is an annual celebration of black culture, talent, and history. This year’s homecoming was even more memorable as we celebrated 50 years of hip-hop culture. Since 1991, the institution has been critical in elevating and embracing hip hop through the Cultural Initiative’s Hip Hop Conference. The first conference highlighted the evolution of the art form.
This year, Howard University hosted the second annual Bison Honors Awards Dinner and Royal Blue Gala. Noteworthy alums, current students, and young professionals got to network and learn about the importance of hip-hop in the Black community. The purpose of this event was to celebrate the legacy, leadership, and history of the Mecca. During the Bison Honors Awards Diner and Royal Blue Gala, the audience took part in educational sessions hosted by prominent Howard University alumni and several guests. The second panel celebrated the 50th year of hip hop by engaging in discussions hosted by music producer Ron “Amen Ra” Lawrence, entertainment attorney Dedra Tate, Shabazz Fuller, and many other notable individuals. To close out the ceremony, Howard University presented the Bison Honors Living Legend Award to Professor Vera Katz, Emerita, for her 32-year career as a professor in the university’s Art Department. Her notable students include Debbie Allen, Anthony Anderson, Chadwick Boseman, and more.
The second annual Bison Honors Awards Diner and Royal Blue Gala was a great way for the Howard community to congregate and celebrate the history of this institution.
