Joshua Greene, senior business management major from Elmont, New York: “My favorite experience at Howard was performing in halftime shows. I really like performing and being able to express myself through dance. Being able to represent the university and myself in that way was the best experience.”
Hailey Gulliet, a senior interdisciplinary major from Charlotte, North Carolina: “Just being around Black people, I love Black people. Being around Black creatives, you can’t find that in this much of a concentration anywhere else.”
Taliyah Jenkins, a senior chemistry major from Charleston, South Carolina: “I’m gonna miss my [sorority] sisters. I’m gonna miss being around people all the time. I’m about to go into a predominantly white field so, I know people say HBCUs don’t prepare you for that because of the environment but that’s not the case. But I will say I miss being around those people.”
Sydney Embry, a senior business management major from Detroit, Michigan:
“Being able to be 100 percent authentically Black without fear of dismissal or just misunderstood in my Blackness. There’s no space safer for a Black mind than an HBCU campus.”
Adjoua Ehoussou, is a senior biology major, chemistry minor from Decatur, Georgia by way of Ivory Coast and Ghana: “The community. The proximity to people your own age, like the culture, the HBCU culture. Being around people that’s your own age. Being able to spend time with each other, even if you have different schedules; but it’s the sacrifices that people make out of their busy schedules to come see and support you. Because outside of school, you won’t necessarily see that like to a different dimension or different extent.”
Joshua Siplin, senior mechanical engineering major from Orlando, Florida: “The one thing I’ll miss the most about Howard is The Yard on a nice sunny day.”
Elise Turner, a senior biology major, chemistry minor from Charlotte, North Carolina:
“What I’ll miss most about Howard is the profound appreciation for the diverse tapestry of blackness that thrives within its walls. Walking on the Yard, I’ll cherish the moments where I could truly take in the spectrum of Black experiences – from the spirited debates in classrooms to the colorful expressions of culture during campus events. Howard’s ‘iron sharpens iron’ culture fosters growth collaboration, where challenges are opportunities for support and growth, not harm. Through this environment, I’ve learned to embrace the myriad ways blackness can manifest, reminding me of the beauty and complexity within our community.”
Darrien Clyburn, a senior fashion design major from Louisville, Kentucky:
“We have a very successful and driven community here. If you find your niche, your gift, or your talent and you reveal that at Howard, everyone will want the next step for you. People are always reminding you of your purpose even if you forget it.”
Copy edited by D’ara Campbell
