Charter Day Weekend provides student opportunities

By Simone Denard

Alumna Mariah Cooley (’23, B.A., magna cum laude) is one of many Howard students who graduated thanks to donations from the Charter Day Dinner. As the University’s largest fundraiser, the annual Charter Day Dinner generates hundreds of thousands of dollars for student scholarships, helping to clear remaining balances and remove additional financial barriers that could prevent students from graduating. 

Cooley majored in political science at Howard, driven by her goal to pursue a political career after graduation. Inspired by her peers and alumni, she reaffirmed her commitment to becoming a changemaker in politics. The scholarship she received played a crucial role in her academic success, helping her excel and graduate magna cum laude. Cooley was even asked to give remarks at the graduation ceremony. She recognizes that this financial support not only helped her personally but also uplifted her family, and she sees it as an investment in a Black woman committed to creating meaningful political change.

After graduation, Cooley started working at the Community Justice Action Fund, a national organization dedicated to gun violence prevention. She also served as a coalition advisor for the Harris-Walz campaign, managing the national gun violence prevention portfolio.

“As someone who came from very humble beginnings — being raised in a low-income household and as a Habitat for Humanity house recipient — without Howard University and the donor scholarship provided, I would not be where I am today,” said Cooley. 

To learn more about Charter Day Weekend and Charter Day Dinner, click here.