My kids experienced homecoming for the first time at Howard University, and I’m pretty sure one of them has decided on their future in college

It’s homecoming season in African America – that joyful time of 12 months when graduates of our beloved Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) return to the backyards from where we got here to collect and remember the people we all know (and do not know) in celebrating good times. Homecoming is actually a special event, people from near and far come to literally look at people and hug others, wishing one another all the best in the hope of seeing the same people next 12 months. While I doubt most individuals will determine on a specific HBCU because of homecoming season, that first visit to the backyard during the most joyous time of 12 months on campus can actually make the decision easier, even years in advance.

(For the record, I’m fully aware that reunions are held primarily at white institutions with black alumni. I can’t be convinced that that is an analogous experience. Thank you for coming to my PanamaTalk.)

This brings us to this past weekend. My wife is a proud graduate of Howard University. We live in Washington, D.C. – which is where Howard lives – so every Homecoming Weekend he normally travels away to have interaction in the various healthful shenanigans that go on at Homecomings across the HBCU spectrum. Since the overwhelming majority of these activities happen at night, it normally doesn’t leave much room to bring your kids along to witness the wonders of life at an HBCU. Anyone who has ever tried to take kids on a tailgate trip in the spirit of exposition can let you know what a foul concept that is.

Lifestyle

Well, in 2023, Howard got here up with the great idea to include FamilyFest into the homecoming celebration. (Note: YardFest is Howard’s most famous homecoming event; it’s a concert that typically features the hottest black music bands of the 12 months.) FamilyFest is an on-campus event you can assume takes place earlier in the day and is built in order that younger kids can enjoy it while parents reminisce about one another before larger crowds of younger people get there doing things that younger kids do. people do in larger crowds.

This 12 months my wife decided we might take our kids to FamilyFest so that they could see the campus, so we could do this lovely touristy thing and see the buildings and spaces that meant a lot to her. It was cool for me too, because I had no idea which dorm she lived in or what her college days were like. It’s nice to take a walk down memory lane. It was also nice that our kids got to experience this part of her life. One of these kids loved it a lot that I’m now convinced he will Howard University. He is currently eight years old.

I actually have written lots about my children, and one of them has a personality that approaches every thing quickly and passionately. He discovered Michael Jackson and never let go. Same with football and WWE. It seems he had an analogous experience with Howard. From the moment we arrived on campus he had all the questions and desired to see anything and every thing.

He desired to enter buildings – any buildings. He desired to walk around the yard. He saw the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts constructing and got there. The constructing was locked, but I’d must take him there so he could scratch that itch; he loves “Black Panther,” so when he saw the name and the constructing, well, he was out. There’s a reason why, if I needed to bet on which of my kids would find yourself at Howard University before leaving last weekend, it might be this one; his personality seems prepared for school. I am unable to quite explain what it means, but what is known doesn’t must be explained, you already know?

My other kids enjoyed the experience, however it wasn’t the same. My 15-year-old daughter, a highschool sophomore, has Spelman College on her mind (understandably), so while I’m sure she was excited to come back home from college, that wasn’t the most vital thing. My nine 12 months old thought it was cool, but I am unable to say whether it was a memorable experience or not. We’ll see about the four-year-old; he was too busy adopting his aunts to care where he was.

As a Morehouse Man, I sit up for my children having the ability to see my institution and judge for themselves how they feel about the atmosphere there and whether it’s a place where they see themselves. You never know when or even when it is going to occur. I believe this has already happened with my eight-year-old. Even though Howard University shouldn’t be Morehouse College, I see him on this campus becoming the version of himself he desires to be.

Now if you happen to’ll excuse me, I actually have to look the couch for change. According to Howard, it costs almost $60,000 a 12 months to take classes, so I would like to start out saving now.