I came to Howard with a clear goal: journalism. As a freshman from across the country, I didn’t fully know what I was stepping into—but I did know that whatever it was, it had to deepen my understanding of a craft I admired deeply.
I joined several journalism organizations, but none drew me in quite like The Hilltop.
To me, The Hilltop represented the purest form of journalism on campus and regardless of my desire to be a TV journalist, I knew I had to be part of it.
Never in my life had I worked so hard, cared so deeply, or been so committed to a collective.
I’ve pulled-all nighters, missed classes, drove around the DMV area and blown up phones (regardless if they were on “do not disturb”) in order to fulfill my responsibility to this historic publication.
I began as a reporter in the News and Politics section under the leadership of DaQuan Lawrence.
As someone who submitted their application not expecting a “congratulations” message, I took a leap of faith fueled by quiet hope and the voices of those who didn’t believe I could.
I had no idea what I was walking into, but the moment I started, I realized I had stepped into something far greater than myself. And I embraced every part of it.
I wrote stories nearly every week and never missed a deadline. It was demanding work, but I was immensely proud of every piece.
Thanks to DaQuan’s guidance and encouragement, I became the section editor the following year—a role I cherish deeply and one of the greatest blessings of my life.
I owe The Hilltop so much and one day, I will repay it.
I’m grateful for every word of encouragement, every critique, every challenge and every lesson learned while serving this publication.
When I leave Howard, my resume will display my Howard journalism degree. But when I step into my first newsroom, I’ll be carrying with me the confidence, skills and experience that The Hilltop gave me.
Thank you to Juan and JD for trusting me to lead the section and for pushing me to grow not just as an editor, but as a writer. I deeply admire the way both of you tell stories.
Thank you to my News & Politics reporters for trusting me with the responsibility of leading you. I’m incredibly proud of each of you and the outstanding work you’ve accomplished.
Ten years from now, when I’m still in the industry, working in TV news, and someone asks me where it all began—I’ll always answer: The Hilltop.
