Beyond the Yard- Hilltop Highlights

By Deidra W. Hill, EdD

As the oldest Black collegiate newspaper in the nation, The Hilltop turns 100 years old in January 2024. Co-founded in 1924 by Louis Eugene King (B.S., 1924) and legendary writer Zora Neal Hurston (associates’ degree, 1920), who served as editor-in-chief, The Hilltop boasts an extensive list of luminaries who served on the editorial staff of the award-winning publication and later achieved success in their professional careers.

Former Hilltop editor-in-chief (1981-1982) Isabel Wilkerson (B.A., ’84) is a noted journalist and author who won a Pulitzer Prize for her work at The New York Times. Her published work includes “The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America's Great Migration and Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents.”

Former editor-in-chief (1995-1996) Monica Lewis (B.A., ’96) is now assistant vice president, strategic communications, in the Office of University Communications at Howard.

“Having the opportunity to work for The Hilltop was, by far, one of the most significant experiences of my college years. From my time as a freshman freelance reporter, section editors and ultimately editor-in-chief my senior year, I gained such great insight and respect for the craft of journalism,” Lewis said.

Lewis, who also serves on The Hilltop’s Centennial Committee, added, “We were a hard-working group of students who were committed to educating and inspiring our campus community, and it was that commitment that moved our founders to start The Hilltop in 1924, and it’s that commitment that remains a driving force that pushes the current staff to deliver quality journalism to this new generation of Howard students.”

Other students who went on to achieve success include sports and entertainment journalist and author Karintha Styles (B.A., ’94) who was one of the first female sports editors for The Hilltop and now works for iHeartMedia. The list does not stop there. Portia Bruner (B.A., ’95) (1994-1995) is now the host of a nationally syndicated talk show based out of Atlanta. And Natalie Moore (B.A. ’98) (1996-1997) is an award-winning reporter and author.

Current Hilltop editor-in-chief Jasper Smith is recipient of the Chronicle of Higher Education’s 2023 Scholarship for Diversity in Media. In addition to the $10,000 grant, Smith received admission to the Chronicle’s fall 2023 Workshop Program for Aspiring Journalists.

The Hilltop was named twice Best Collegian Newspaper (1995 and 2004) by the Princeton Review. Stay tuned to Beyond the Yard for centennial celebration updates.