Homecoming 2023

Howard Homecoming celebrates reunions, new and old, in a Revival-themed week of events.

Homecoming was in full swing as Bison made their way back to the Mecca during October 15-22 for a full week of reunions and activities, culminating in a victorious game against Norfolk State on a sunny, but windy, Autumn day.

It was a celebration of favorite traditions, including Bison Madness, the crowning of the royal court, the Lavender reception, student fashion show, Greek step show, Homecoming parade, tailgate, alumni reunions, and, of course, the booming Yardfest.

“The energy is still here. We still have the Yardfest, we still have the activities going. The only difference is the time and music,” said Jay “DJ Parlay” Perry (BA ’95), who came from New York. “We are the Mecca, we are the number one source of Homecoming. We are the greatest homecoming of all time... the GOAHT!”

REVIVAL! In keeping with this year’s Homecoming theme, traditions old and new were present all week: Bison Madness, fashion show, alum shows HU Love, the royal coronation, Sean “Diddy” Combs performs at Yardfest, game day, Lavender reception, Quad step team at the step show, and ribbon cutting of the new food pantry.

This year, the Office of Student Affairs held a ribbon cutting for the opening of the new student food pantry in Blackburn, which allows current students to pick up non-perishable food items, toiletries, school essentials, and cleaning supplies. This year’s fashion show featured a tribute to 50 years of hip-hop and included artists such as Howard alumna Lady London. Yardfest featured rapper Kaliii in partnership with NYX Professional Makeup, and R&B artist Victoria Monét. Hip-hop icon and former Howard student Sean Combs also gifted $1 million to the University as part of his pledge to support HBCUs and his own Howard University.

Alumni in attendance were equally excited to come home. “It’s really cool to see how I’ve grown in those 20 years, reflecting on how Howard’s grown in those 20 years, and the thing about the class overall, how far we’ve come from where we were,” said Brandon McCalla (BA ’03).

“I didn’t come back to Homecoming until last year, and after all these years,” said Deitre Epps (BA ’87), who attended the 1982 Freshman Class of Howard University event. “I was so anxious after all this time to come back. I’m strolling in, and I’m like ‘Am I going to see anybody I know? Will people recognize me?!’ I went through that door and [my friends] Felicia and Sydney come to me like a beeline and say, “Deeeittrrraaaaaa! Where have you been?!’ Imagine how it felt after 40 years to be welcomed like that!”

This story appears in the Fall 2023 issue.
Article ID: 1726

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