Howard University Models Inc. (HUMI), a new modeling organization on the campus of Howard University took the stage of Cramton Auditorium for the first time last weekend.
Models Inc. is a D.C.-based modeling organization with a mission to build self-esteem, enrich young adults and create a safe place for youth and young adults to express themselves through artistic development and runway performance. The organization has five collegiate chapters across the D.C. metropolitan area, with HUMI being its newest one.
HUMI President Teron Jones, a junior strategic communications major from Baltimore, Maryland, transferred to Howard from Virginia State University after one semester. He has been affiliated with the Models Inc. organization since he was a junior in high school. Upon transferring, he said, he knew he wanted to bring the mission of Models Inc. to campus.
“I had such a strong team behind me. I thought that anything that I wanted to change, I have the ability to do so,” Jones said.
Leading up to performance, members of HUMI typically practiced twice a week starting after their official acceptance into the organization last semester. During show week, practices became more frequent and members were practicing daily. Members also had separate practices based on whether they were a runway model or a dancer.
On Friday, beginning at approximately 7:17 pm, representing the chapter’s founding date of Jul. 17, 2025, the legacy themed show began. Ambient black-and-yellow lighting filled the auditorium, as the crowd exuded vibrant energy. For HUMI, legacy was more than just a theme.
“Legacy is the story of Black modeling; legacy is the story of Black excellence; legacy is Black history,” said Jones.
A performance of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” kicked off the show. The singer, known as Star, is a member of the Bowie State University chapter of Models Inc. Then, models and dancers took the stage, showing off the work of several minority-owned designers. Auditory adlibs from Iran “Bang” Paylor, the D.C. Models Inc. CEO, kept the crowd engaged as the night went on.
The designers whose work was showcased had close relationships with the Models Inc. franchise. Many designers tailored their collections to fit the legacy theme. According to HUMI Vice President Nataiya Johnson, one designer in particular is current Howard student Michelle Martinez, a freshman philosophy major from Houston, Texas.
“We made sure she had resources to get her fabric, and connected her with one of our seamstresses,” said Johnson.
Thanks to HUMI, Martinez was able to create and showcase her first ever completed collection during the fashion show.
“We want to work with our students to make sure that they can start to build a physical portfolio,” she said.
Models Inc. has an additional division of their organization known as Models Inc. Kids. Six young girls joined HUMI during the runway modeling portion of the show. Jones says this component of the show demonstrated HUMI’s commitment to mentorship and service.
“At certain points we’ll be mentoring the youth chapter because it’s very important while we’re still learning to share our knowledge with them,” he said.
During the finale of the show, Jones was awarded a five-hundred-dollar scholarship in the name of Tammy McCants, the inaugural advisor for Howard University Models Inc. Jones said this was unexpected, and he was emotional about receiving the scholarship.
“I could not stop crying,” he said. “It meant so much to me because Ms. McCants was such a big factor in my experience at Howard University.”
Following the show, a reception was held just a block away at The Oliver. There, HUMI members, families and supporters were able to celebrate, take pictures and eat food with one another.
Destiny Holligan, a student attendee of the show and a junior marketing major from Syracuse, New York, says the overall ambience that HUMI cultivated “screams Howard.”
“Seeing how many people came out to support, it really just exudes Black excellence,” she said.
Copy edited by Daryl R. Thomas Jr.
