H.B.C.U. Strong!
Howard University was not my only choice. Influenced by the TV Show "A Different World," I wanted the Hillman experience of an H.B.C.U (Historically Black College/University). I actually applied to Howard University, Hampton University, Columbia College in Chicago, Florida A&M University, Miami University (If I had gone, I would have run into Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson), and Duquesne University. I was accepted into all with a partial scholarship that wouldn't afford me to attend. All except Hampton University which declined my application all together, and Howard University that didn't offer any money wasn't impressed with my SAT Scores at all. (SATs were not my strong suit, but I had a 3.0 G.P.A)
So I made the decision to attend Florida A & M. However, after bringing my grades up to a 3.8 at Florida A & M, and with the help of the School of Communications Guidance Counselor (who happened to live a block from my home in D.C.), I was accepted into Howard the following year. I guess it was destined for me to go. For the next three years I would attend classes in the former Freedman's Hospital where my Mother was born. I would walk the same campus my Uncle studied and performed in plays choreographed by the Debbie Allen "Realness!" And joined the sisterhood of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Alpha Chapter, same as The Phylicia Rashad.
It was at Howard where I spent countless hours honing my craft in the famous Studio A under the guidance of instructors like the Al Freeman Jr. (Known to play characters like Elijah Muhammed in Malcolm X.) I immersed myself in student life earning a Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do.
The Howard experience was not a new experience for me as I grew up in Washington, D.C., however, it was A Different World. Mostly everyone had the same mindset of determination. I carried 16 credit hours and 15 internship hours per semester at BET, WUSA, Channel 9, and the campus station WHMM TV (Now WHUT). I volunteered at the community center mentoring young girls. Determined to earn a scholarship so my mother wouldn't have to pay my tuition, I obtained a 4.0 GPA my first year. And keeping grades up paid for the rest of my tuition. It was this moment I realized test scores may not get you the money that you need at first, but hard work pays off in the long run.
I graduated with a 3.7 GPA, Magna Cum Laude, B.A., Major: Radio/TV/Film and Minor: Business. My Principles of Accounting Professor at the time was Dr. Glenda Glover, who is now President at Tennessee State and International President of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. Howard University was no easy street for me. So, when I met Attorney General of California, Kamala Harris, now our Vice President of the United States and learned that she was a Howard Graduate and Member of A.K.A., Alpha Chapter, I knew she was qualified for the job.
Howard is no joke and not easy for anyone to get accepted. I'm pretty sure applications submissions are going to increase since our new V.P.O.T.U.S.A. attended and become more challenging than the time I applied. When a white woman learned that I went to Howard University an HBCU she asked, "Can my daughters go there?" Confused by her question I answered "Sure. We don't discriminate." She made a terrible assumption not knowing why H.B.C.U.s existed in the first place. Again, it was challenging for me to get accepted and I'm black. But I'm proof that if you work hard, if it's meant to be, the stars will align, and success will happen.