Featured Stories

Charter Day: Sending forth rays of light

Hundreds of Howard University students will benefit from a successful 2026 Charter Day Dinner where more than $1 Million was raised to support scholarships and help clear balances of seniors with no other obstacle to graduation than a financial one. More than 1,300 attended the sold-out event.

Category: Beyond the Yard, 2026 Newsletters, Featured Stories, March 2026 Newsletter, Charter Day

HUAA elections are coming – cast your ballot!

Voting opens soon for Howard University Alumni Association’s elections for the 2026 term. Don’t miss the opportunity to have your say in its leadership for the next two years.

Category: Beyond the Yard, Featured Stories, March 2026 Newsletter, HUAA

Students embark on 32nd annual ASB

Howard University students are spread across the nation for Alternative Spring Break, March 7–14. Under the theme “Service with Impact: Empowering Communities and Dismantling Disparities” students are dedicating their time to transformative, hands-on service in 22 communities.

Category: Beyond the Yard, Featured Stories, March 2026 Newsletter

Don Christian

Charter Day Weekend a time to celebrate

Trustee Donald Christian is Convocation speaker The 159th Charter Day Convocation is a joyful, reverential observance of Howard’s history providing higher learning. Charter Day Dinner keeps the tradition alive, raising funds for student scholarships and honoring achievements of distinguished alumni.

Category: Beyond the Yard, Featured Stories, February 2026 Newsletter

Howard building

Tuition freeze is a challenge to donors

Howard University’s announcement that the cost of tuition will not increase next year reflects its commitment to its students. But it comes with a challenge to donors to build on their support.

Category: Beyond the Yard, Featured Stories, January 2026 Newsletter

Invest in Howard with Year-End Challenge

With $400,000 raised this GivingTuesday, donors showed their desire for Howard’s success. Alumni and supporters can finish 2025 with tax-deductible donations to the Impact Howard Year-End Challenge, which will be matched dollar-for-dollar for double the value.

Category: Beyond the Yard, Featured Stories, December 2025 Newsletter, Giving Challenges

Hilltop Highlights

AfroTech crowd

Howard and AfroTech Partner through 2027

Howard is bringing “The Yard @ AfroTech” to the world’s largest annual Black tech conference in Houston for three years, showcasing innovation, presenting creative programming and fostering connections between students and industry professionals.

Category: November 2025 Newsletter, Hilltop Highlights

Two female speakers at International Black Writers Festival

International Black Writers Festival returns

Bigger than before, the IBWF extended over three days! With the theme “The Story of Us,” the event exalted Black literature and storytelling with panel discussions, performances, readings and a book fair on The Yard.

Category: Beyond the Yard, October 2025 Newsletter, Hilltop Highlights

Gordon Parks photo of man and young boy with palms upward

‘Temples’ shows Gordon Parks’ religious photos

The Moorland-Spingarn Research Center presents “Temples of Hope, Rituals of Survival: Gordon Parks and Black Religious Life,” a curated selection of photos and other materials from the famed photographer, journalist, author, novelist, composer and film director.

Category: Beyond the Yard, October 2025 Newsletter, Hilltop Highlights

Howard R1 designation poster showing Howard scientist performing an experiment

A year full of milestones

Key moments include R1 designation, Homecoming 100

Category: Alumni On the Move, Art, Beyond the Yard, May 2025 Newsletter, Charter Day, Corporate Partnerships, Events, Giving, Giving Challenges, Hilltop Highlights, Homecoming, Research, Fine Arts, Sports and Athletics

Research Month 2025 flyer

Research Month highlights University’s works

By Kelvin Childs

Category: Beyond the Yard, April 2025 Newsletter, Hilltop Highlights, Research

Bernadine Mays Lacey

Women's History Month a time to mark strides

By Kelvin Childs

Category: Beyond the Yard, March 2025 Newsletter, Hilltop Highlights

Alumni Spotlights

Paul Cotton gave his all to Howard

The outstanding student wrestler, champion wresting coach, resolute trustee, unofficial archivist and enthusiastic Howard booster touched hearts, inspired many and made lifelong friends across the University community.

Category: Alumni Spotlights, Beyond the Yard, March 2026 Newsletter

Ashanti Martinez

Public service is Ashanti Martinez’s life

Maryland Delegate Ashanti Martinez’s path in politics wove through high school and Howard University to his current place as majority whip in the state House of Delegates.

Category: Alumni Spotlights, Beyond the Yard, February 2026 Newsletter

Senator Jaha Howard

Two freshmen Georgia senators are Howard alumni

Senators Jaha Howard, a pediatric dentist, and Randal Alonzo Mangham, an attorney at law and former judge, serve the Atlanta area, but aren’t new to public service and prioritize giving back.

Category: Alumni Spotlights, Beyond the Yard, February 2026 Newsletter

Howard's New Football Coach Ted White

New head football coach Ted White returns home

Howard welcomes back alumnus Ted White as the new head football coach. White brings experience and familiarity to the role, having been a highly decorated quarterback for Howard football.

Category: Alumni Spotlights, Athletic Spotlights, Beyond the Yard, February 2026 Newsletter

Photo of student

Charter Day Weekend provides student opportunities

As the University’s largest fundraiser, Charter Day weekend 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.

Category: Alumni Spotlights, Beyond the Yard, January 2026 Newsletter

Bisa Butler

Bisa Butler stitches legacy through art

Bisa Butler is a gifted visual artist, known for her captivating portraits made from quilted fabrics that tell the stories of Black culture and history, working primarily from source images to create thought-provoking art.

Category: Alumni Spotlights, Beyond the Yard, January 2026 Newsletter

Giving

Golden Reunion Class of 1975 surpasses campaign goal

The Golden Class of 1975 raised an extraordinary $1.4 million in support of the University. Their achievement reflects a deep and abiding commitment to ensuring future generations of Bison have access to transformative opportunities.

Category: Beyond the Yard, March 2026 Newsletter, Giving, Giving Challenges

Classes prepare for Howard’s Golden Reunion

Celebrate a defining milestone during Golden Reunion Weekend, May 7–10, when distinguished alumni return to The Yard for an inspiring tribute to legacy, achievement and enduring connections spanning across the decades. The cherished tradition honors the Classes of 1976, 1971, 1966, and 1961.

Category: Beyond the Yard, March 2026 Newsletter, Giving

Give to Bison Strong from Start to Finish

The clock is ticking toward Commencement, but the celebration will be incomplete without the graduates unable to clear their balances. Bison Strong is raising money for the HUAA Emergency Scholarship Fund to get them over the finish line.

Category: Beyond the Yard, March 2026 Newsletter, Giving

Golden Reunion Weekend is a tribute to legacy

Welcome alumni back to The Yard May 7–10 to recognize excellence and lifelong connection, celebrating bonds across years and decades. This beloved tradition honors the Classes of 1976, 1971, 1966 and 1961.

Category: Beyond the Yard, February 2026 Newsletter, Giving

Great finish to Year-End Challenge

Howard University enters the New Year with a powerful bang! Donations to the Challenge topped more than $500,000, thanks to generous alumni and supporters who recognize the institution’s value.

Category: Beyond the Yard, January 2026 Newsletter, Giving

Celebrate Golden Reunion this spring

Celebrate the Howard University Golden Reunion, May 7–10! This proud tradition celebrates the Classes of 1976, 1971, 1966 and 1961, allowing alumni to reminisce and rekindle valuable relationships.

Category: Beyond the Yard, January 2026 Newsletter, Giving

Sports and Athletics

Howard football team celebrating

Howard football poised to regain MEAC title

As HBCU football season kicks off, Howard is preparing for several important games, including the HBCU NY Classic, the Truth and Service Classic and of course Homecoming 2025.

Category: Beyond the Yard, Featured Stories, September 2025 Newsletter, Homecoming, Sports and Athletics

Bison football players number 66, 29, and 73 running onto the field.

Orange Blossom Classic opens Bison football season

By Monica Lewis

Category: Beyond the Yard, May 2025 Newsletter, Sports and Athletics

HU Bison fan cheering on the Bison

Get ready for Bison football classics

Calling on Bison Nation — support our football team, which has an impressive 2025 season ahead.

Category: Beyond the Yard, May 2025 Newsletter, Events, Sports and Athletics

Jim Trotter speaking at conference

Sports journalist Jim Trotter launches Success Fund for aspiring reporters

By Simone Denard

Category: Alumni Spotlights, Beyond the Yard, Featured Stories, May 2025 Newsletter, Communications, Sports and Athletics

Howard R1 designation poster showing Howard scientist performing an experiment

A year full of milestones

Key moments include R1 designation, Homecoming 100

Category: Alumni On the Move, Art, Beyond the Yard, May 2025 Newsletter, Charter Day, Corporate Partnerships, Events, Giving, Giving Challenges, Hilltop Highlights, Homecoming, Research, Fine Arts, Sports and Athletics

Howard women's basketball team

Good luck to our Bison competing in the MEAC Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournament!

Dear Howard University Community,

Category: Athletic Spotlights, Sports and Athletics