A Century of Leadership in Music Education

SUMMER 14

magazine

001 C1 Cover_Alt.indd 1 6/17/14 3:31 PM Editor’s Letter Volume 22, Number 3

INTERIM PRESIDENT Wayne A.I. Frederick, M.D.

ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENT, COMMUNICATIONS AND MARKETING A Musical Legacy Kerry-Ann Hamilton, Ph.D.

EDITOR on the Hilltop Raven Padgett CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Ashley Bayton, Ken Cooper, Tamara If you scroll through the “Old School” playlist on my iPod, you’ll hear Roberta Flack E. Holmes, Brittany Jett, Rachel Mann, and Donny Hathaway belting out one of those classic melodies that garnered awards Jean-Louis Ntang Beb, Teyonna Ridgeway, in the 1970s. Flip over to my “Opera” playlist and you’ll hear Jessye Norman’s lilting Megan Simms soprano. These three Howard alumni have been on my playlist for quite awhile, along CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS with others, such as Kenny Latimore and Angela Bofill. But after completing this Ceasar, F.J. Gaylor, Marvin T. Jones, issue of Howard Magazine, which explores the musical legacy at the University, you’ll Jon Karr, Justin D. Knight, Scott Soderberg find that Howard alumni populate a much larger space on my iPod than they did previously! DESIGN AND COPYEDITING It’s a musical legacy that extends back decades, with the Department of Music celebrating its centennial this year. It includes veterans who paved the original musical path at Howard (such as Benny Golson, Harold Wheeler, Shirley Horn, Donald Byrd Howard Magazine has a circulation of Iand Richard Smallwood) and those who are crafting a new path (such as Afro Blue, 85,000 and is published three times Eric Roberson, Kenny Wesley and Shai Littlejohn). Some developed their skills in the a year by the Office of University Department of Music; others majored elsewhere but came back to their first love— Communications. Please send address changes and letters to: music. They all contributed to a volume of music that will entertain and inspire gen- 2225 Georgia Avenue, NW erations to come. Suite 603 Also featured in this issue of Howard Magazine is an article that commemorates Washington, DC 20059 the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and examines the challenges that lie ahead. For those of Phone: 202-238-2330 us who, like me, were born after these Fax: 202-986-0409 E-mail: [email protected] Alumni On the Move struggles, it is critical to connect to www.howard.edu/howardmag We hear so many great stories about the past and celebrate those sung and, alumni making an impact in their careers mostly, unsung heroes who protested Cover: Choir director James Weldon Norris and communities, but just don’t have and pushed to get the landmark legisla- and his colleagues are celebrating the the space to publish articles about all of tion passed. We must never forget the Department of Music’s centennial as they them in Howard Magazine. In the next mentor a new generation of talent. few months, we plan to capture some sacrifices they made to create a more of these amazing stories and post them equitable society. The act outlawed dis- Front cover photo: Ceasar on www.howard.edu/howardmag crimination based on race, color, reli- under Alumni On the Move. If you have gion, sex or national origin. Alumnus Back cover: Ceasar a unique or fascinating story about an Damon J. Keith, whose book Crusader alumna or alumnus, please email us at Stay up to date with events [email protected]. for Justice describes his journey through and news at Howard: discrimation to become a federal judge, www.howard.edu/newsroom and explains very profoundly that the act “has been one of our best instruments to fight www.howard.edu/Capstone. discrimination and create a society that we all deserve to live in.” Like us on We hope you enjoy this issue, and, as always, we welcome your feedback and Facebook.com/howarduniversity and follow us on encourage you to send us an email at [email protected]. Don’t forget to down- Twitter.com/HowardU. load the magazine’s mobile app on iTunes or visit us at www.howard.edu/howardmag. Have a wonderful summer!

Raven Padgett, Editor

Howard Magazine Summer 2014

001 C2-00 Ltr-TOC.indd 2 6/17/14 3:33 PM SUMMER14 features

12 Sweet Sounds of Success The Department of Music celebrates 100 years of musical genius. 18 Climbing the Charts Two new artists emerge, each with a unique brand of music. 20 Where Are They Now? They honed their musical skills at Howard, so where are they now? 24 Today’s Fight for Civil Rights The Civil Rights Act turns 50 but challenges remain.

Footsteps: Hilltop News and Events

2 President’s Perspective 18 3 Spotlight On: Footprints: Alumni Profiles and Updates Yuvay Meyers 26 Profiles in Leadership Ferguson 28 Milestones: Alumni Achievements 4 On Campus: News and 32 Flashback Events 33 In Memoriam 36 Bison Bookshelf

001 C2-00 Ltr-TOC.indd 1 6/17/14 3:33 PM President’s Perspective The Arts Continue to Flourish at Howard By Wayne A.I. Frederick (B.S. ’92; M.D. ’94; M.B.A. ’11)

The arts have flourished at Howard for more than 142 years. We have embraced the arts as essential to the life and mission of the University. The first free-hand drawing class was offered in 1871, a few years after our founding in 1867. The Music Department is celebrating its 100th anniversary, the Art Department recently celebrated its 90th and the Depart- ment of Theatre Arts has marked nearly 65 years. This past semester, I attended the opening night of the Fine Arts Division’s mod- ern dance ballet, “Hamdan: Through the Gate of Tears.” This excellent production was a result of a collaboration between Howard and the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African Art, which has begun a multiyear series of programming. For many decades, Howard’s arts and humanities programs have deeply influ- enced American cultural language and intellectual discourse. Our legacy is anchored in the belief that the arts provide rich experiences that help our students become Tcreative and constructive global citizens. At Howard, we offer a rare combination of L academic and cultural competence with professional training. Howard’s reach is broad, deep and worldwide: on stage, on screen, in television, in museums and galleries, in concert halls and in art history and cultural studies. Howard alumni, faculty and even students have made significant contributions in all these areas—many as award-winning actors, playwrights, choreographers, vocalists, instrumentalists, designers, artists, curators, professors and administrators. Last fall, District of Columbia Mayor Vincent C. Gray honored the Division of Fine Arts during the 28th Annual Mayor’s Arts Awards for its unparalleled contributions to arts education. And in May, during our Commencement convocation, we honored Benny Golson, a multitalented and internationally renowned jazz legend. We celebrate his contributions to the field and his role as a sterling ambassador of the Capstone. He received an honorary degree, Doctor of Humane Letters, wit- nessed by more than 2,600 graduates and the largest doctoral class in the history of the University. You will learn more about Golson in this issue of the magazine. Also last month, Howard University’s Vocal Jazz Studies Pro- gram received three 2014 Downbeat Magazine Student Music Awards. This marks the 10th Downbeat award to Howard’s premier vocal jazz ensemble Afro Blue. They have been featured on NPR’s All Things Considered, reached the top four on NBC’s The Sing-Off, performed at the White House and teamed up with icons, including the legendary Bobby McFerrin. We were joined this spring by the celebrated trumpeter Hugh Masekela as part of a semester-long tribute to the life and lessons of Nelson Mandela. Continued partnerships with Mr. Masekela and other pioneers will further enhance our programs and benefit our students. Without question,

Howard’s future in music, theater and the arts is thriving. Ceasar

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02-03 President-Spotlight.indd 2 6/17/14 3:40 PM Spotlight On

Yuvay Meyers Ferguson By Erin E. Evans (B.A. ’08)

Like many kids growing up during the ’90s, Yuvay Meyers Ferguson’s introduc- tion to the HBCU experience was in living color on her television. Denise Huxtable went off to “a different world” at the fictional HBCU Hillman College. Cliff Huxtable was wearing Howard University sweatshirts. And Khadijah James was touting her experience run- ning Howard’s campus newspaper before starting her own magazine, Flavor. “The fact that there were, in the ’90s, La lot of positive imagery about HBCUs in pop culture, it really did make young people interested and strive to become a part of the University family,” Ferguson said. Today, Ferguson (B.B.A. ’03) is a newly tenured associate professor in the School of Business, and next school year will chair the Department of Marketing. With her innovative instructional style, But then she wanted a new challenge. worked with General Motors to promote Ferguson has gained a reputation for She remembered one of her mentors’ two new Cadillacs. The students used excellence in teaching and is one of the words about pursuing advanced degrees. $3,000 to promote the event around highest-rated professors in the School of In 2006, she packed her bags and entered campus, design fliers, build social media Business. She also has published widely the Ph.D. program in advertising at the campaigns and host giveaways. General and gained the respect of her peers in University of Texas at Austin. Motors received next-to-free promotions the field. Those early pop culture influ- While pursuing the degree, she was a of its new fleet, and the students had ences were Ferguson’s first taste of how lecturer at Huston-Tillotson University, tangible work to add to their marketing effective marketing could impact its tar- a small HBCU in Austin. She always portfolios. get. The media imagery convinced her dreamed of working at an HBCU. Wash- Ferguson prides herself on giving her in the fifth grade that she would spend ington, D.C.—and the Howard fam- students practical projects with top cor- her collegiate career at Howard. Little ily—called her home, where she started porations. The students appreciate her did she know her professional life would teaching in fall 2008. teaching style, too. She recalls that when bring her right back to the Hilltop. Ferguson teaches undergraduate seniors she submitted her credentials to be con- She was a model student at How- about consumer behavior, marketing com- sidered for tenure, she received several ard—editor-in-chief of the yearbook, munications and sports marketing, and dozen supportive letters from them. team leader in the School of Business— teaches MBA students in brand manage- “I don’t know if I would be who I am touting a résumé filled with intern- ment classes. To keep her students engaged without having my students making me ships and pursued a master’s degree in with their classwork, she often reaches out work hard to impress them,” Ferguson strategic communications at American to her Howard network so her students can said. “I try to step up to the plate every University. From there, she moved to do hands-on marketing work. day.” ar

S Atlanta and worked in advertising for a Take one of her spring 2014 projects:

Cea few years. Her marketing communications class Evans is a writer based in Maryland.

Summer 2014 Howard Magazine 3

02-03 President-Spotlight.indd 3 6/17/14 3:40 PM On Campus News

H Center Will Train Future Health Care Professionals Ceasar

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04-11 On Campus.indd 4 6/4/14 3:55 PM Howard University unveiled a $5 million simulation center earlier this year, pro- viding students with hands-on hospital experience. The 6,000-square-foot facil- ity will serve as an integral part of training for more than 800 health sciences students at Howard. The new center houses five high-tech Hhuman patient simulators that generate pulses and other vital signs. The physical space consists of an operating room, an intensive care/emergency room and a task training/surgical skills suite. “This high-tech educational space affords our students the opportunity for deliberate practice in a team-based environment and aids in continuing Howard University’s legacy of producing compas- sionate and caring global health care professionals,” said Debra Ford (B.S. ’82; M.D. ’86), medical director of the simulation center. The simulation center will comple- ment the Clinical Skills Center, which allows medical, nursing, pharmacy and First Lady Michelle Obama and students from Chicago’s public schools allied health students, Howard University tour Howard University on the first day of a four-day visit to the campus. The visit was part of a program sponsored by student members of the knight Hospital residents and medical fellows to

d. Chicago People’s Union and designed to immerse talented high school practice treating patients in a controlled students in college campus environments. A roundtable discussion

justin environment. followed the April 17 tour.

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04-11 On Campus.indd 5 6/17/14 3:47 PM On Campus

and Universal Studios. Altogether, her team finished the production in slightly over one month. They promoted the project on social media, reaching more than 15,000 views in less than one day. Despite their faith in the project, no one expected such a positive reaction so quickly. “When I saw the video, I was proud of what the team accomplished, but Members of the Happy Project HU. (Bottom row, l-r, Todd Legette, Maia I didn’t expect the reaction it got,” Miller, Tyler Scott. Top row, l-r, Kayla Burns-Shelton, Kalyn Jacobs, Javon says Candy Shannon Lewis, lecturer McLester, Alana Wise) of media, journalism and film in the School of Communications and the faculty advisor for the project. “Even a friend of mine in Switzerland contacted me about the video!” Happiness at HU The Happy Project HU encouraged a chain reaction of positivity and Bison With more than 300,000 views on after reluctantly returning home during pride. The Office of Admission broadcast YouTube, the Happy Project HU video Thanksgiving break. the video during Accepted Students Day, has brought joy to thousands of Bison all “After a stressful semester, I just needed and supporters have shared it on social over the world. The video, produced by a release,” Miller says. “When I first saw media and in classrooms. a team of nine Howard University film the original ‘Happy’ video over the break, “I hope this video encourages students students, is a remake of the music video I knew it was the perfect outlet to let go of to have the confidence to work on more for Pharrell Williams’ Oscar-nominated the trials of the previous semester.” projects and continue making a differ- song “Happy,” and features students and When Miller returned to campus, ence,” Miller says. “There is so much faculty dancing across campus to the she found a faculty advisor, recruited a talent at Howard that we need to capital- upbeat and catchy tune. production team, sought dancers and got ize on. That’s what makes this such an Since its launch Jan. 21, the Howard clearance from the Office of University inspiring and happy place to be.” “Happy” video has reached the atten- Communications, all in one week. Prior Check out the Howard University tion of BET, Oprah Winfrey’s OWN TV, to the release of the video, she obtained Happy video: www.youtube.com/ Columbia Records and even Williams legal permission to use the song by Sony watch?v=HCD4gBNOD28. himself, who tweeted the link on his official Twitter account. Maia Miller, a senior film major and the producer of the Happy Project HU, was encouraged to create the video

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04-11 On Campus.indd 6 6/17/14 3:48 PM Haiti’s President Speaks on Rebuilding the Education System

Haitian President Michel Martelly spoke passionately about his focus on revamping Haiti’s education system during a visit to the main campus in February. He also 2 urged the Howard community to con- (MS) Students tinue its support of the nation. “When I ran for president, education “Best in was a key part of my campaign platform,” Martelly said. “I found it unacceptable and shameful that many Haitian children State” in App were not going to school because their parents could not afford school fees.” Competition The devastating earthquake of 2010 killed nearly 200,000 people and caused An all-girls team from the Howard widespread damage to infrastructure, been enrolled in school as part of my gov- University Middle School of including nearly 4,000 schools. Martelly ernment’s education program,” he says. Mathematics and Science (MS)2 said approximately 125 schools had been In addition to renovating the educa- won the “Best in State” title restored and equipped with computer labs tional system for primary school stu- during Verizon’s Innovative App and Internet access. dents, Martelly wants to provide more Challenge. “As proud as we are of the progress higher-education opportunities to older Of the 1,300 entries in the com- we made, we still have a long way to go. youth and adults. He acknowledged the petition, 81 finalists made it to the Meanwhile we are doing all we can to Howard community’s contributions to the “Best in State” round. The middle ensure that our children get the quality growing success of the country. (Howard school students were selected as education they need and deserve,” he said. students and faculty members have held the only “Best in State” winner And while education is highly valued fundraisers and traveled to Haiti to pro- from the Washington, D.C., area. in Haitian culture—according to Mar- vide tutoring, medical and reconstruction Their app, Build Central, assists telly, families typically spent 40 percent assistance.) Martelly said Haiti would also builders and architects in the of their income to send their children to welcome graduate students to do research construction process. The stu- school—many students and their families fellowships and internships at Haitian dents were assisted by Clearly cannot afford the school fees. Martelly has educational institutions. Innovative Inc., a Washington- been combating these statistics by provid- “Education frees us from ignorance based mobile solutions provider. ing free universal education for primary and servitude,” Martelly said. “Education “We are on cloud nine because school students. allows a human being to reach their fullest their hard work paid off,” said “I am proud to report that nearly 1.3 potential and to understand and trans- Patrick Gusman, the group’s million primary school-aged children have form the world around them.” advisor, who teaches computer science and technology. “It’s essential that students learn the latest technology and for local businesses to invest in educational programs.” Colloquium Turns 25 “We are extremely proud of our students for their achievement,” The Department of Art hosted the 25th Annual James A. Porter Colloquium on said Yohance Maqubela, the African-American Art and Art of the African Diaspora in April. Named after a middle school’s executive direc- pioneering Howard University art historian and professor, the colloquium is the GHT I tor. “The high achievement by leading forum for scholars, artists and curators, as well as enthusiasts, in the field of Kn this group of young ladies further African-American art and visual culture. The colloquium’s theme—“Bridging the D. n demonstrates that our investment Past to the Present: African American Contributions in Public Art”—examined the U J STI in STEM is delivering results.” contributions of Black artists in the public space.

Summer 2014 Howard Magazine 7

04-11 On Campus.indd 7 6/17/14 3:48 PM On Campus

ASB: Through the Years

The Alternative Spring Break (ASB) program has fostered a spirit of service and leadership among Howard University students for 20 years. Through the years, students and staff have rebuilt communities, mentored K–12 students and lobbied T

for gun control in communities wracked by violence. ASB underscores Howard’s h g motto of veritas et utilitas, or Truth and Service. I Kn D.

This year, more than 400 students volunteered more n than 16,000 hours in Baltimore, Chicago, Detroit, U Memphis, New Orleans, Washington, D.C., and J STI Haiti to tackle societal issues, including gun control, homelessness and illiteracy. Studying the Economic Well-Being of Ministry Students The School of Divinity received a $250,000 grant from the Lilly Endowment Inc. to support the T h g

I school’s effort to improve the

Kn economic well-being of future D. n ministers. The grant comes as STI U

J part of a $12.3 million award given to 51 theological schools across the United States. The grant, “Theological School Initiative to Address Economic Issues Facing Future Ministers,” Instagram Captures the will allow the School of Divinity to create programs with the goal of improving the financial literacy New Howard Experience of future religious leaders, with a particular focus on reducing stu- Howard University recently launched its official Insta- dent loan debt. gram account, @HUBison, as a way to capture today’s “We are honored to receive “Howard experience.” The photo-driven social media this funding from the Lilly Endow- account allows students to share what they see and helps ment,” said Alton B. Pollard III, alumni stay connected to their alma mater. The account dean of the school (pictured features photography from current students, alumni, above). “The funds will be used to staff and others who are capturing new moments in examine and strengthen our finan- Howard’s history. cial and educational practices, Follow the official Howard University account, which address professional finan- @HUBison, today and get a fresh look at what is going on, cial stewardship as well as sound, from the Valley to the Yard and everywhere in between. theologically informed education.”

8 Howard Magazine Summer 2014

04-11 On Campus.indd 8 6/17/14 3:48 PM Faculty Awards

Quito Swan, Ph.D., on the development of new processes to

associate professor capture pure carbon dioxide—CO2—and in the Department of generate electricity. Completion of the History, was named research will introduce a novel, low-cost a 2014 University and environmentally friendly synthetic Teachers Fellow of the strategy for the preparation of core-shell

National Endowment particles and greatly minimize CO2 emis- for the Humanities. The eight-month sions from coal-fired power plants and, New businesses, fellowship provides Swan with $33,000 consequently, reduce global warming. including Potbelly to support research for his book about and Fuel Pizza, Pauulu Kamarakafego, an ecological William Lawson, are breathing new engineer and political activist from M.D., Ph.D. (B.S. life onto Georgia Bermuda. Swan will travel to the South ’66), professor and Avenue on the main campus. Pacific Islands to conduct research on chairman of the the African Diaspora, Black Power and Department of Pan-Africanism movements in Australia, Psychiatry and Behav- Vanuatu, New Guinea and Fiji. ioral Sciences in the College of Medicine, was named the 2014 Anna K. Allen, Ph.D., assistant professor recipient of the Solomon Carter Fuller in the Department Award by the American Psychiatric of Biology, received a Foundation. Lawson is president of the $450,444 grant from D.C. chapter of Mental Health America. the U.S. Department of Defense to fund the Howard’s acquisition of a spinning disc fluorescent confocal microscope. Allen and a team of Bookstores to researchers will use the new imaging sys- New Coach tem to tackle a variety of biological issues, Get a Makeover including identifying new components of the cell cycle as well as better understand- Takes the Howard University and Barnes & ing neurons in mental health disorders Noble College announced a part- such as depression and drug abuse in nership in March, bringing with it a order to design more effective therapeutic Field new name and look. Barnes & Noble drugs. The spinning disc confocal system College now manages daily opera- will also allow the department to incorpo- Phillip Gyau (B.S. tions for the Howard University book- rate live cell imaging into its undergradu- ’87) was named head stores. The new “Barnes & Noble at ate and graduate courses. coach of the men’s soc- Howard University” officially opened cer team. Gyau brings April 7 and the current space will Jason S. Matthews, Ph.D. (B.S. ’94), more than 20 years undergo a remodel throughout the professor in the of experience to the summer. The partnership will offer Department of position as a respected an expanded inventory of ebooks;

(2) Chemistry, received coach and a former U.S. National Team a textbook rental program to lower r a $200,000 grant Player. Since 1998, he has placed 20 players costs for students; a new website CEASA from the Depart- on youth national teams. He also played in and e-commerce for the main cam- (3);

T ment of Energy, six national championships and won four pus and the School of Law; and H g i National Energy of them. In 2007 and 2011, the Washington FacultyEnlight, a new online faculty N

K Technology Laboratory for research in Catholic Athletic Conference named him textbook adoption resource. D. N i the fight against global warming. The Coach of the Year. In 2007, he was inducted Check out the website: U

J ST two-year research project is centered into the Maryland Soccer Hall of Fame. howard.bncollege.com.

Summer 2014 Howard Magazine 9

04-11 On Campus.indd 9 6/17/14 3:48 PM Honoree Leffall On Campus thanks Howard for his recognition.

Charter Day

Bernard accepts the Capstone During2014 his keynote speech at this year’s Wayne A.I. Frederick (B.S. ’92; M.D. ’94; Award from President Frederick Charter Day Convocation on March 7, M.B.A. ’11), interim president of Howard, and Chairman Rand. Jamie Dimon, board chairman and chief announced nearly $10 million in gifts to executive of JPMorgan Chase & Co., the University. Award-winning actress challenged Howard students to work Phylicia Rashad (B.F.A. ’70) was the mis- hard and maintain fortitude. tress of ceremonies. “Each one of you has an opportunity Arthur Reynolds and Robert McLeod to be a leader—to bend the arc of history were recognized for a $4.9 million gift that Martin Luther King spoke about,” from the Richard Francis Jones Trust. he said. (Jones was a former chief of urology at The following evening, Howard hosted Howard.) Alfred C. Liggins was also one of the largest Charter Day dinners acknowledged for his gift of $4 million Din school history, with 1,800 guests gath- to the University in honor of his mother, ering at the Washington Hilton Hotel. Radio One chairperson/founder Cathy

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04-11 On Campus.indd 10 6/17/14 3:48 PM Honoree Johnson accepts his award.

Honoree Bath

Dimon was the keynote speaker.

Hughes. The gift will benefit the School Honoree Foster of Communications. with President The University honored four alumni Frederick for their extraordinary accomplishments in their respective fields: Patricia E. Bath (M.D. ’68), in medicine, ophthalmology and research; T. Eloise Foster (B.A. ’68), in public service; James H. Johnson Jr., (B.S.C.E. ’69), in STEM education; and LaSalle D. Leffall Jr. (M.D. ’52), in medicine, surgery and public health. Nesta Ber- nard (B.A. ’74), vice president for development and alumni relations, received the inaugural Capstone Distinguished Service Award for three decades of dedicated service to Howard University. This year’s Charter Day celebration marked the 147th anniversary of the charter enacted by Congress and subse- Alumna Rashad quently approved by President Andrew served as Johnson on March 2, 1867, that estab- mistress of ceremonies. lished Howard University.

Summer 2014 Howard Magazine 11

04-11 On Campus.indd 11 6/17/14 3:49 PM Students perform during a recent jazz concert, demonstrating the diversity of talent in the Department of Music.

SweSounds et of Success The Department of Music celebrates 100 years of musical genius. By Tamara E. Holmes (B.A. ’94)

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12-17 Feat-Holmes_Alt.indd 13 6/17/14 3:52 PM of the Department of Music. It was the first music program in the Washington, D.C., area to gain membership into the National Association of Schools of Music in 1942. Since 1998, the Department of Music has been one of three core areas within the Division of Fine Arts in the College of Arts and Sciences. “The legacy of music here at Howard University is extremely rich,” Kamalidiin says. To celebrate that legacy, Howard musicians are paying homage to that history this year through a variety of commemorative performances. In February, the Annual Jazz Ensemble Spring Concert featured jazz legend Hubert Laws. And in April, an Alumni Jazz Concert at Cramton Auditorium showcased the talents of past and Afro Blue gained present members of vocal jazz ensemble national recognition on Afro Blue, the Howard University Jazz NBC’s The Sing-Off. Ensemble and renowned pianist and alumna Geri Allen (Mus.B. ’79). “We’re very proud of what transpired here, and we just want to do everything we can to expand and enlarge a part of that legacy,” Kamalidiin says.

The Pivotal Role of Music There has always been a strong tradition of music at Howard University. The Fine Arts building is named after Lulu Vere Childers, a pioneering music educator who founded what was once called the School of Music. And, not only does Howard’s the Department of Music have a strong concert band history of instrumental music, including practices before full orchestras and concert bands, but a performance. its vocal tradition has flourished as well, Kamalidiin says. The Howard University Choir is an From the spirituals that sprang up dur- example of the prominence of vocal ing slavery to the rise of such musical performance at Howard. Since 1973, art forms as jazz, blues, gospel, soul and conductor James Weldon Norris, D.Mus., hip-hop, African Americans have had a has led the choir in performances at profound influence on the evolution of venues as varied as the International Cho- music as an art form in the United States ral Festival in Rome; the International and across the globe. Choral Festival in Tokyo; and the first Music courses have been offered on International Festival of University Choirs

Howard University’s campus since 1870, in Valencia, Spain. Through its travels, the Gaylor

and is now “an official, codified program choir has received international acclaim. F.J. of study at Howard,” says Sais Kamali- Kamalidiin recalls traveling to Zimbabwe,

diin, Ph.D. (Mus.Ed. ’89), interim chair where he met someone who showed him Ceasar;

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12-17 Feat-Holmes_Alt.indd 14 6/17/14 3:52 PM Now head of jazz studies at University of Pittsburgh, Geri Allen continues to mentor Howard students.

traveling to Zimbabwe, where he met HUJE has performed all over the world, someone who showed him his collection collaborated with the Washington Ballet of Howard University Choir albums in and been featured in the Kennedy Center storage. “If the Division Honors Gala in 1992, 1996 and 2005. The students have benefited as much “The most meaningful trip for HUJE from the travel as they have from per- of Fine Arts is was in 1986 to Beijing, China,” Irby says. forming, Norris says. “You can learn “We were the first jazz band—profes- more in two weeks traveling than three sional or collegiate—to perform in the months in the classroom.” the heart, then People’s Republic of China.” The choir has also received numerous For Christopher Steele (B.A. ’13), who accolades domestically and, since 1974, music is the is now a graduate student in trombone has performed for every U.S. president at performance, the highlight of his time the White House. with the HUJE was the trip to Japan his University’s freshman year. The Jazz Era “We were almost like celebrities there,” In the early 1970s, the jazz program soul.” Steele says. “People really enjoyed our was instituted and gained international music, so that spoke to me because I love prominence through a group called the how music affects people.” Blackbyrds that was formed on Howard’s This year HUJE will record its 40th campus by educator Donald Byrd. consecutive album, and next year they In 1975, Fred Irby III, professor of will travel to Japan for the fifth time. music, founded the Howard University “The HUJE gives students the opportu- Jazz Ensemble (HUJE) to fulfill accredi- nity to see the world, perform with major S tation requirements by the National jazz artists and document their artistry at

Scott Associationoderberg of Schools of Music. The a very young age,” Irby says.

Summer 2014 Howard Magazine 15

12-17 Feat-Holmes_Alt.indd 15 6/4/14 3:58 PM Reaching New Audiences for The Manhattan Transfer and Jon One of the more recent success stories to Hendricks and performed with the come out of the Department of Music is National Symphony Orchestra. In 2013, Afro Blue, the premier vocal jazz ensem- they performed at Harlem’s Apollo The- ble formed in 2002 by Connaitre Miller, ater with Geri Allen. Afro Blue’s relation- coordinator of Jazz Vocal Studies. The ship with Allen has been particularly Former classmates group describes its music as being similar fruitful; she has worked with the group Donny Hathaway to the styles of Lambert, Hendricks and for eight of its 12 years. and Roberta Flack created some Ross; The Manhattan Transfer; and Take “She has done so much for us because memorable hits 6, with their own unique sound added to she has given us the opportunity to learn together. the mix. from her,” Miller says. “She’s been a men- In 2011, Afro Blue reached the top tor but also a promoter, because through four on NBC TV’s music competition our relationship with her, we’ve been able The Sing-Off. “That gave us the oppor- to perform with other artists,” including tunity to introduce not just Afro Blue, Diane Reeves, Lizz Wright and Esperanza r A

but Howard University and also jazz to a Spalding. This past January, Spalding s A e

much wider audience,” Miller says. asked Afro Blue to perform with her at c

Some members of Afro Blue who the Lincoln Theatre. es; AG

performed on the show have since “It’s great when we have artists come m i

graduated, but they’ve gone on to cre- perform with us, but when they hire ate a group called Traces of Blue. “Every us to go and perform with them, that’s time they go out and perform together, just a whole different level,” Miller adds. they’re still representing Howard,” Last year they also performed at a White edferns/Getty Miller says. House Christmas party. This year Afro r Afro Blue has performed many times Blue released its fourth CD, Jubilee, and

at the John F. Kennedy Center for The the group will soon be working on a Archive/

Performing Arts, where they have opened Christmas CD. GAB

James Weldon Norris leads a choir that has performed across the globe.

16 Howard Magazine Summer 2014

12-17 Feat-Holmes_Alt.indd 16 6/17/14 3:52 PM Miller discovered how far Afro Blue’s reach really was when she served as an adjudicator at the Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival. The winner came from South Africa and after the competition was over, he approached Miller and said he wanted to meet her because he is a big fan of Afro Blue. “He said, ‘In South Africa I sang in a vocal jazz ensemble, and we modeled ourselves after you guys,’” Miller recalls. Hathaway and Roberta A Bright Future Flack (B.Mus.Ed. ’58) For students who come out of the came out of Howard’s Department of Music, the sky is the limit. Department of Music, “They know what it’s like to walk on several other alumni stage and be in a huge auditorium where and former students you’ve got thousands of people sitting out are still making their there,” Miller says. marks. They include They have also been exposed to differ- jazz keyboardist Marcus ent musical styles, from jazz to classical Johnson (Mus.B. ’93); to gospel. “As a professional musician, classical singer Jessye you have to be able to perform for any- Norman (Mus.B. ’67); body and know how to adapt to any situ- Michael Bearden ation,” Miller says. (B.Mus.Ed. ’86), music Under the leadership of While it is common knowledge director for Lady Gaga and the former professors like Fred Irby III and Connaitre Miller, Howard’s music that Grammy-winning singers Donny music director for Michael Jackson and program continues to thrive. Madonna; Charlie Young (Mus.M. ’93), music director for the Smithsonian Jazz Master Works Orchestra; Carroll Vaughn Dashiell Jr. (Mus.B. ’88), director of jazz studies at East Carolina University; Paul Carr, executive director of the Mid- Atlantic Jazz Festival and the Maryland Academy of Jazz; Langston Fitzgerald III (B.Mus.Ed. ’66), former trumpeter with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and a current professor of trumpet at Penn State University; and Gary Thomas, director of jazz studies at Johns Hopkins Peabody Conservatory. With so much accomplished in the first 100 years, Kamalidiin knows that the Department of Music can continue to be a musical pioneer with the support of the Howard community. “Many people refer to the Division of Fine Arts as the heart of the University,” Kamalidiin says. “If the Division of Fine Arts is the heart, then music is the University’s soul.”

Holmes is a writer based in Maryland.

Summer 2014 Howard Magazine 17

12-17 Feat-Holmes_Alt.indd 17 6/17/14 3:52 PM Climbing the Charts Two new artists emerge, each with a unique brand of music.

The Soulful Nerd Brown, an early mentor who encouraged him to learn new languages and start By Jean-Louis Ntang Beb with piano lessons. The piano lessons inspired Wesley to start playing for the When you hear Kenny Wesley’s tenor youth choir, where he earned his stripes for the first time, you are immediately before joining Brown’s music troupe. drawn into a funky musical realm. “She literally thrust me into music,” Going by the stage name The Soulful Wesley says. Nerd, Wesley (B.A. ’04; M.A. ’11) defines Brown also introduced Wesley to the his style as “collard greens, corn bread idea of pursuing higher education when and a bottle of Perrier.” she took him and other students from He says he gets his soulful side from his church to a college campus. It was his native North Carolina, where, he the first time, he says, that he was sur- says, “they love their greens.” rounded by Black scholars. After the “The Perrier is the extra, the sophisti- visit, Wesley’s minister also got involved cation, the Frank Sinatra and everything and motivated him to pursue higher else that I like,” he says. education. When he was in the sixth One of the breakthrough moments of grade, his minister even gave him a Wesley’s career came in 2012 when his Howard University application. Excited music was featured on the prime-time by the possibilities, Wesley created a show So You Think You Can Dance. That fake Howard diploma and hung it on was followed up on the show last May the wall in his room as a motivational with the debut of his single “Damaged piece. Goods,” which helped his music extend “I remember it had everything, even his reach. It didn’t stop there. The show Latin inscription,” laughs Wesley, who The View also featured another single on graduated with a degree in Spanish one of its episodes. “There’s nothing that and a minor in chemistry. “I carried it can compare to listening to your song on throughout my Howard career.” the radio or TV,” Wesley says. After he graduated, he became a full- Wesley says he chose the name Soul- time Spanish lecturer at Howard, where ful Nerd because it was the only succinct he draws similarities between a class- way to describe himself to anybody who room full of students and a venue full of didn’t know him. He believes that Soul- fans. “Being a teacher is a lot like being a ful Nerd demonstrates that there is more performer,” he says. than one dimension to any artist. With students, Wesley says he has to Wesley has been singing since he can keep the classroom environment fun and remember, but his passion for music engaging while he delivers his lessons. developed under the guidance of Mary Much like a performance, the classroom

18 Howard Magazine

18-19 Feat-Beb, Jett.indd 18 6/17/14 3:54 PM A Little Bit is a training ground where he masters the art of delivery. of Country; “Delivering that message properly A Little Bit of Law while maintaining the engagement level is something that definitely transfers By Brittany Jett (B.A. ’13) back to performing on a stage in front of people,” he says. “Music is one of the rea- Shai Littlejohn (B.A. ’96; J.D. ’99) always sons why I’m on planet Earth.” envisioned herself following in her father’s footsteps and being a lawyer, and Ntang Beb is a former graduate assistant in so she did. But she also envisioned a sec- the Office of University Communications ond career singing, so she did that, too. and a doctoral candidate in the School of Today she is making a mark in Nashville. Communications. Inspired by country artists such as Shania Twain and Dolly Parton, she released her EP, Shai Littlejohn, last July and will release her second album this summer. While it’s rare to find African Americans topping the country music charts, Littlejohn is filling up venues in Nashville, where she performs two to three acoustic shows a month, with a contemporary style that mixes classic country with pop and rock. Last year, she opened for singer Will Downing and com- peted in an opening-act selection showcase for singer Martina McBride. (She and her band will perform in Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia this summer.) “You really have to love country music as an artist, because your audience can tell when it’s not authentic. You also have to be unique and put your own twist on it to be successful,” she says. As a completely independent artist, Littlejohn does everything herself— including producing her music and booking herself for interviews and performances—while she retains complete control over what she records, performs and distributes. “Being a businessperson is just as important as being a creator,” she says. Although Littlejohn moved to Nashville to pursue her music, she still has a part- time law practice in D.C., allowing her to pursue both careers. She will soon release an iBook download called Quit the Firm, Join a Band, which is intended to inspire audiences to “find the courage to quit what they hate and pursue the life they want.” “In your passion you have to be bold, brave and consistent. You can’t do it because you want to be popular,” Littlejohn says. “I’m making country music because I can and I want to.” karr

ceasar Jett is a writer based in Illinois. jon

Howard Magazine 19

18-19 Feat-Beb, Jett.indd 19 6/17/14 3:54 PM Where ? Are They Now? They honed? their musical skills at Howard, and traveled the road to a successful career, winning awards and gaining acclaim along the way. So where are they now? Roberta Flack (B.Mus.Ed. ’58)

owned the airwaves in the 1970s. There were few R&B and pop radio sta- tions during that decade that weren’t playing one of her soulful and jazzy melodies. She was the first artist to win a Grammy Award for Record of the Year two consecutive times (“The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” in 1973 and “Killing Me Softly With His Song” in 1974), while duets with her former Howard classmate Donny Hathaway—“Where is the Love,” “The Closer I Get to You,” “You Are My Heaven” and “Back Together Again”—are legendary. She continued her hit making well into the 1980s, with “Making Love” and a duet with Peabo Bryson, “Tonight I Celebrate My Love.” She credits Howard with helping to develop her golden musical pipes. “My time at Howard helped to shape who I am today as an artist,” says Flack, 75, who received a music scholarship at age 15 to attend the University. “The professors and instructors helped me to open my mind and heart to the possibilities and opportunities in the world. I am forever grateful and proud to be an alumna.” Four Grammy Awards and one American Music Award later (and don’t forget the star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame), Flack continues to perform lak i s

around the world (in the United Kingdom in April and May of this year, and . t in Japan in December of last year). In 2012, she released Let it Be Roberta, a CD of Beatles tunes. She recently was a featured guest on a Japanese album project Brian R (Ken Hirai), and in between performing is considering new collaborations. of “I’m working with some very talented young musicians in my project, The ? Real Artist’s Symposium,” she says. “And an exciting discovery of a large collec- courtesy

tion of live concert recordings, not heard for over 30-plus years, in my archives h P has had me working with my management to release these great songs that span my career.”

—Raven Padgett Photogra

20 Howard Magazine Summer 2014 20-23 Feat-Sims.indd? 20 ?6/4/14 4:00 PM “A lot of us used to record at a studio called Night Flight. We would work the mid- night shifts so we could do sessions at two o’clock in the morn- ing when nobody was using it. I still get my records mixed at Night Flight [to] this day,” Roberson says. ? When Rober- son was a sophomore, he was offered a record deal from War- ner Bros. His 1994 single “The Moon” was successful, but Eric Roberson according to Roberson it (B.F.A. ’97) “dried out” quickly. After taking a yearlong break from has soared to great heights with two college, he found himself back in Grammy nominations and countless the arms of Howard University. other accolades, including a 2009 Soul “I think a lot of what people see today Train Award nomination. Yet he still is more of that artist that returned to reminisces about the moments he spent Howard,” Roberson says. “I feel like at his alma mater, where he matured I became a man at Howard. And the not only as an artist, but also as an work ethic that you build on at Howard, “The work ethic individual. whether it’s doing right by your class- “I remember sitting on the front steps mates and doing right by your teachers, it that you build on of the Fine Arts building with other will help you down the road.” at Howard … will musicians or sitting at the guitar with Through the years, Roberson has expe- friends. You know, just talking, enjoy- rienced much success in the music indus- help you down ing the beautiful weather and seeing the try, even starting his own label, Blue Erro amazing people walking by.” Soul, in 2001. His unique neo-soul sound the road.” Roberson came to Howard on schol- has garnered a large fan base and much arship from Rahway, N.J., majoring in acclaim. Yet his admiration for his alma musical theater. He was enchanted by mater is apparent and as fresh as it was Howard’s musical legacy and remembers before he even became a Bison. picking the brain of an English professor “When you graduate, you’ll see how es

G who taught Roberta Flack and Donny many people from Howard are strong ma I Hathaway. Being a true music lover, movers and shakers in the music busi- Roberson always seemed to find himself ness. It’s really amazing,” he says. in the studio with friends from Howard, Roberson’s upcoming album, Musical including the late Raymond “Scotty Monologues, is slated to be released later

W Beats” Brown II, when he was not doing this year.

Paul a play.arner/Getty —Megan Sims

Summer 2014 ?Howard Magazine 21 ?20-23 Feat-Sims.indd 21 6/17/14 3:56 PM Harold Wheeler (Mus.B. ’64)

started as a piano major at Howard before been nonominatedminated six times for a TonyTony Show. Wheeler plans to bring the show moving to New York City for graduate AAwarwardd andand wowonn tthehe DraDramama DeDeskssk AwaAwardrdr on the road, starting in Washington, school. While in New York, he auditioned forfor Hairsprayy for Best Orchestrations.rchestraations. D.C., through the summer of 2014 before for composers Burt Bacharach and Hal WWheelerismostrecentlyknoheeler is most recently knownown for fo his heading back to Broadway. Wheeler, 70, David, who loved his performance. At work on Dancing with the Starss, where he has enjoyed a career that has thrived over 25, he became the youngest and the ﬁrst just completed 17 seasons as thhee sshow’show’s ﬁve decades and says, “I’ll be around as Black conductor for a Broadway musical musical director. He is currentlytly workingworking long as the industry needs me.” (Promises, Promises). Since then, he has on the revival of the Broadwayy sshowhow SiSidede —Jean-Louis Ntang Beb

“I’ll be around as long as the industry needs me.”

22 Howard Magazine Summer 2014

20-23 Feat-Sims.indd 22 6/17/14 3:56 PM “Howard helped shape my career. It gave me a broader outlook on life and how I would ? fit into things.” ? Golson has also composed music for musicians like Count Basie, Miles Davis and Ella Fitzgerald, and recorded scores for television shows like M*A*S*H and Golson left Howard after three years to the Academy Awards and the movie Mis- Benny Golson pursue his passion and received his first sion Impossible. Yet with all of his success, carries with him the same fervor that opportunity in 1951 with the R&B group he has never forgotten about his time at brought the renowned composer, Bullmoose Jackson and His Buffalo Howard and how it helped contribute arranger, lyricist, producer and tenor Bearcats. to his success. During this year’s Com- saxophonist from Philadelphia to “I was anxious to get started in my mencement ceremony, he returned to his Howard as a music education major. career,” Golson says. alma mater to receive an honorary doc- When Golson arrived in the fall of 1947, Since his first big break, he has played torate degree in the arts. he recalls there were no jazz music classes, with Dizzy Gillespie, Benny Goodman “Howard helped shape my career. It so he and his fellow classmates began to and Lionel Hampton, among other gave me a broader outlook on life and play together for no credit in the school jazz prominent musicians. how I would fit into things,” says Golson, band. He also performed with the Howard “I knew about all those bands long before who continues to tour and compose both Swing Masters and wrote music with them. I played with them. And I never knew that jazz and classical pieces. “Sometimes we “We used to play at the old arts build- I would be good enough to be playing with think we know more than we do. But I ing whenever we had to play on campus, the likes of those guys. So each one of those have found that the greatest hindrance to which was usually at night and on week- bands I joined was like an adventure, a knowledge is thinking ?you already have it.” ends,” he says. dream being fulfilled,” he says. —Megan Sims

?Summer 2014 Howard Magazine 23

20-23 Feat-Sims.indd 23 6/4/14 4:00 PM Today’s Fight for Civil Rights The Civil Rights Act turns 50, but challenges remain.

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 ended the era of legal segregation and wrought egalitarian changes in American society that, a half-century after the civil rights movement forced its landmark passage, many people take for granted. Regardless of a person’s race, color, religion, sex or national origin, jobs of every description are open, at least in theory, to every qualified applicant. Pub- lic schools and their programs cater to all local students. Rooms in hotels, tables in By Kenneth J. Cooper restaurants and seats in movie theaters are available to any paying customer. “It changed the whole look of the coun-

24 Howard Magazine Summer 2014 T24-25 Feat-Cooper.indd 24 6/4/14 4:02 PM than existed in The Congress that passed the Civil 1964 nonethe- Rights Act reflected the racial hierarchy less remains fairly of the time. There were only five Black significant,” adds members, all in the House of Repre- Francois, who sentatives. Passage relied on the skillful teaches civil rights maneuvering of Johnson and his bipar- courses. “African tisan allies to overcome a filibuster by Americans in par- southern Democrats in the Senate. ticular, but to some Outside pressure from the civil rights extent women, movement helped get the bill passed. have a great deal Before his assassination, President John F. of difficulty rising Kennedy was forced to push his original try, in the sense that now with respect to up the ranks. In some ways, the act really bill through because of the Freedom Rides public accommodations, employment wasn’t designed to address that problem, through the segregated South in 1961 and and education, people of color, specifi- but can be made to address this problem. the marches in Birmingham, Ala., in 1963. cally African Americans, could be a part The main challenges that remain essen- James Forman (B.D. ’41) helped orga- of all of those areas without an obvious tially center around Title VII.” nize the Freedom Rides, while Martin caste imposed on them,” said Okianer Damon J. Keith (B.L. ’49), senior judge Luther King Jr. led the Birmingham cam- Christian Dark, J.D., interim dean of of the Sixth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals paign. Howard students joined the Free- Howard’s School of Law. based in Cincinnati, came of age before dom Rides, including Stokely Carmichael Over the years, Congress strengthened the Civil Rights Act. His trials with (B.A. ’64). Carmichael also joined other the Civil Rights Act, whose 50th anniver- segregation and his ultimate triumph Howard students in a 1960 campaign to sary President Barack Obama marked with over them are chronicled in Crusader for desegregate restaurants along U.S. Route a tribute to his predecessor Lyndon John- Justice, a 2013 biography by Trevor W. 40 between D.C. and Baltimore. And son for signing the law in July 1964. But the Coleman and Peter J. Hammer. Andrew Young (B.S. ’51) served as execu- country has grown more complex in that During World War II, Keith was drafted tive director of the Southern Christian period, and Congress and the courts have into a segregated Army, entering as a Leadership Conference, becoming one of failed to keep civil rights protections up private. His White commanders never the civil rights movement’s central figures. with the times. nominated the college graduate for Officer “Through the Civil Rights Act, we actu- That failure is most evident when it Candidate School, which was integrated. ally began to look like the America that we comes to employment—for most people Keith’s experience, though, motivated had been talking about to everybody else in the foundation of the promise of a good him to go to Howard’s law school to the world,” Dark says. “We are a changed life. The guarantee of equal employment attack the bald-faced discrimination that nation because of this legislation.” opportunity contained in Title VII of the persisted in private employment until But Dark echoes Francois on the need Civil Rights Act has done its job, but only 1964. Keith said he was “ready to change to update the 50-year-old law. to a certain extent. the world” after graduation. Yet despite “I also think the country should under- sey s

A “The act has been very, very successful his degrees, qualifications and military stand that the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was M in terms of eradicating intentional and service, the only job he was offered was a beginning,” Dark says. “We haven’t yet oby t overt discriminatory practices that keep as a janitor at the Detroit News. “The act dealt with the subtle forms of discrimina- out certain folks from employment,” says ensured that generations of people had tion. I wouldn’t want people to think the hoto/ P

P Aderson B. Francois, J.D., associate pro- more fair opportunities,” he says. “It has job is done. The work is not done.” A fessor at the School of Law. been one of our best instruments to fight “Discrimination that has grown to be discrimination and create a society that Cooper is a Pulitzer Prize–winning writer P

AP lesshoto; overt, less explicit, less intentional we all deserve to live in.” based in Boston.

Summer 2014 Howard Magazine 25

24-25 Feat-Cooper.indd 25 6/17/14 3:57 PM Profiles in Leadership

Carla Hall By Brittany Hutson (B.A. ’09)

Some people discover their passion early Today, Hall co-hosts ABC’s daytime in life; others take years of twists and series The Chew and is the owner of Carla turns before they find their niche. Carla Hall Petite Cookies, an artisan cookie Hall (B.B.A. ’86) didn’t set out to become company based in Silver Spring, Md. a beloved television chef, but throughout She’s best known for being a competi- her journey, one thing remained con- tor on Bravo’s reality competition show stant: “All of my life, my grandmother Top Chef. Yet long before she broke into told me that you should be happy in the culinary and television worlds, she whatever you do, and so for me, it was my dreamed of pursuing theater. Sjob to be happy.” Growing up in Nashville, Tenn., Hall

26 Howard Magazine Summer 2014

26-27 Profile.indd 26 6/4/14 4:03 PM attended the Nashville Academy Theater Reminiscent of the Sunday dinners she from the ages of 12 to 17 and intended grew up with at her grandmother’s house, to major in theater in college. But after in Paris the models would have brunch auditioning for Boston University’s on Sundays and everyone would contrib- theater arts program and learning that ute a dish, except Hall. “I loved to eat, but her admission would be deferred, Hall I was never in the kitchen.” decided to follow her sister, Kimberly However, she was fascinated by the Hall, to Howard University. socialization that occurred there. “People At Howard, she majored in account- would talk about ‘oh, my mother does ing, a decision she says she didn’t put this’ and ‘oh, my mother does that,’” she much thought into. “I liked my account- recalls, which led her to begin teaching ing teacher in high school,” she says herself about food and cooking. frankly. “I could have shut my eyes and After two and a half years in Europe, pointed to a picture … that’s how I chose she returned to Washington, D.C., and accounting.” started a lunch delivery service. She went Still, Hall was adamant about being a on to culinary school at L’Academie de stellar student. Cuisine in Gaithersburg, Md., worked “I could not handle not having good as a chef in several high-end hotels in grades. I wasn’t one to hang out on the downtown D.C., then started her own Yard unless I had already done my work,” catering company. In 2008, the call from she says. Top Chef came. Two years later, Hall was But she wasn’t so immersed in her Hall held a signing on the main invited back for Top Chef All-Stars, dur- studies that she didn’t recognize the campus for her new book, ing which she became a fan favorite. In activism on campus. One of her fond- Carla’s Comfort Foods. 2011, Hall received an offer to join The est memories was participating in the Chew. infamous student sit-ins at the admin- Hall admits that as a local entrepre- istration building. “My parents were at neur, being on television did not come the 1960 Walgreens sit-in in Nashville, “Goingo t Howard without its share of challenges. and here I was at a sit-in at the historical “Everyone knows about you, and I had Howard University,” Hall recalls. University and a very small staff, so there was that chal- She also recalls when the Rev. Jesse lenge of executing so many events and Jackson Sr. came to campus while cam- coming from a bringing on more people,” she says. paigning for president of the United But, she says, “Going to Howard Uni- States. “There were so many people who family with very versity and coming from a family with came to Howard that you just felt like very strong, positive role models helped you were at the pulse of something great strong, positive prepare me for this experience and happening.” knowing who I am and loving myself and After graduating, Hall moved to role models helped loving my culture.” Tampa, Fla., to work as a CPA for Price Hall notes that being in the public eye Waterhouse. Within two years, she real- prepare me for this has also stressed to her the importance of ized accounting was not for her. “My giving back. She works with a number of biggest fear was being 40 and hating my experience and nonprofits, including GENYouth, which job,” she says. inspires and educates youth to improve While in Tampa, Hall was approached knowing who I am their nutrition and increase physical about modeling. She had some experi- activity. “If we want our schools to com- ence from doing fashion shows during and loving myself pete and be run efficiently and effectively, her senior year at Howard, so she quit her we need to give back so that we have a job and headed for the runways of Paris, and loving my choice in how they are run,” she says. Milan and London. She fell in love with

Ceasar food while in Paris. culture.” Hutson is a writer based in Maryland.

Summer 2014 Howard Magazine 27

26-27 Profile.indd 27 6/4/14 4:03 PM Milestones Alumni

Paulette G.l Danie Jones Way. Jones retired in June Brown, B.A. after holding the position for 31 years. 1973, was ’60s nominated as president-elect for 2014–15 for the Cornell Moore, J.D. 1964, received American Bar ’80s the William and Kate Dunwoody 2013 Association (ABA). If elected by the ABA Philanthropist Award from Dunwoody House of Delegates in August, she will Stanley Wilson, College of Technology. In 2007, the become, in 2015, the first woman of color B.S. 1981, was Cornell L. and Wenda Weekes Moore and third African American to serve as named dean of Multi-Cultural Center, which promotes ABA president. Brown is a partner the College of the value of diversity and prepares stu- specializing in labor and employment Healthcare dents to be competitive in a global soci- law, and labor commercial litigation at Sciences at Nova ety and changing workforce, was named Edwards Wildman Palmer in New Jersey. Southeastern after him and his wife. Moore is a former University. Howard trustee. Florence Anthony, B.F.A. 1974, wrote Deadly Stuff Players, a novel featur- Jesse L. Butler, M.A. 1983, received ing a gossip columnist and a football hero the 2014 Keeper of the Dream Award turned private investigator trying to find presented by the Martin Luther King Jr. a serial killer. Anthony is a radio host, Day of Service committee in Summit, N.J. ’70s blogger, reporter for the New York Daily The award is given to recipients who are News, and publisher and editor-in-chief committed to fairness and racial harmony. Anthony Holder, B.S.C.E. 1971, was of Black Noir Magazine. named to the Tri-State Defender’s Men of Eric Easter, B.A. 1983, was named Excellence Class of 2013, an honor given Alexander chair of the National Black Program- to men who have demonstrated excel- Robbins, M.D. ming Consortium. He was also elected to lence in their work and commitment 1975, was named the board of the Public Media Platform, despite their obstacles. Holder is a FedEx to the board a joint project of PBS, NPR and other airline pilot and captain of a Boeing 777 of trustees at major public media organizations to place jumbo jet. Tuskegee all public content into a single digital University. He is resource. He is the CEO of a new startup Sandra an active member of the Howard nonfiction streaming network, BLQBOX. Jowers- University Medical Alumni Association. Barber, B.A. Mary Reid, B.S. 1983; M.S.W. 1985, 1971; M.A. Richard E. Grant, M.D. 1976, and was inducted into the Ohio Bar on Nov. 2001; Ph.D. Julius K. Oni, M.D. 2007, assumed 4, 2013. She works for the Cincinnati 2005, was one of the role of community ambassadors for Hamilton County Community Action the east coast Einstein Healthcare Network, where they Agency as a principal for its Head Start conference winners of the ECC Faculty work as orthopedic surgeons. As ambas- centers. Appreciation Award in recognition of her sadors, they encourage the community to support of intercollegiate athletics and tap into the orthopedic care available at Jay Wooster, D.D.S. 1984, opened student athletes at the University of the Einstein. a new dental practice, Wooster Dental District of Columbia. Care, in Okatie, S.C. G. Daniel Jones, D. Min. 1978, was recognized for his years of service as Gregory Hall, M.A. 1986; Ph.D. senior pastor of Grace Baptist Church of 1993, published Authority, Ascendancy and Germantown in Philadelphia with a street Supremacy: China, Russia and the United designated in his honor. The 6400 block States’ Pursuit of Relevancy and Power, of Emlen Street in Philadelphia is now Dr. which examines the American, Chinese

28 Howard Magazine Summer 2014

28-C4 Milestones-Bookshelf.indd 28 6/23/14 11:33 AM and Russian competition for power and includes local Black figures who contrib- Rahime-Malik Howard, B.S. 1997, influence during the post-Cold War era. uted to the area’s economy. was named a department coordinator Hall is the director of the international and full-time professor of sociology at El studies program at Morehouse College. Teresa Sidewater, B.S. 1990; Centro College in Dallas. He is also an M.S.W. 1992, was named editor of associate professor of sociology at Collin Darryl A. Pope, B.A. 1986, was the District Two Resolution, a news- College in Plano, Texas. appointed the new athletics director at letter for the National Association of Lincoln University. Parliamentarians. Darius M. Billings, B.B.A. 1998, married Ashley M. Baker on Nov. 9, 2013, Janice Susan Michael in Philadelphia and they honeymooned Wallace, B.A. Nation, B.B.A. in Switzerland. He works as a director 1987, is the 1992, was named in marketing and merchandising for a editor-in-chief of vice president and major athletic retail company. Façon Magazine, chief information an online officer of Bacardi DeSean Grayson, B.A. 1998; M.A. publication USA. Prior to this 2012, was named to the Tri-State Defend- devoted to supporting emerging fashion appointment, Nation served as director er’s Men of Excellence Class of 2013, an around the world and discovering new of corporate systems with Coca-Cola honor given to men who have demon- creative talent, including designers based in Atlanta. strated excellence in their work and com- in Maryland and D.C. A former senior mitment despite their obstacles. Grayson staffer on Capitol Hill, Wallace also Dakota is a general sales manager for Soul Classics works as the creative director at a Ramseur, B.A. 103.5 in Memphis and political sales boutique agency that specializes in 1992, was elected director of Cumulus Media-Memphis. editorial styling, fashion media, creative a civil court judge services and brand development/ for New York City Sonya Armfield, J.D. 1999, was management for fashion businesses. in the past appointed diversity fellow of the Ameri- November can Bar Association Solo, Small Firm and Helen Diane election. She is a member of Alpha Kappa General Practice division, in the 2014 Foster, B.A. Alpha sorority. bar year. In addition to the fellowship, 1989, was Armfield was appointed to the Military appointed by New John L. Jackson Jr., B.A. 1993, Lawyers and Taxation committees and York Gov. was named dean of the School of Social the Book Publications board. Andrew Cuomo Policy and Practice at the University of to serve as Pennsylvania. He was previously the Jonathan W. commissioner for the state division of Richard Perry University Professor and Hutto Sr., B.A. human rights. She was formerly a the senior advisor for diversity in the 1999, received representative for the 16th district on the Office of the Provost at U. Penn. the Fannie Lou New York City Council. She is a member Hamer Award by of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority. Awanya the National Anglin-Brodie, Conference of B.A. 1997, was Black Political Scientists for his contin- selected by Radio ued leadership and service to the Ink Magazine as community. This was his second time ’90 s one of the receiving this award. industry’s 30 Alicia M. Crowe, J.D. 1990, and “Rising Stars in Radio” under the age of 40. Adrienne Lofton, B.B.A. 1999, was Alice T. Crowe, J.D. 1992, will be Anglin-Brodie is the special events manager named chief marketing officer for Dock- featured in the exhibition “African for CBS Media in Washington, D.C. ers, where she spearheads brand strategy American Entrepreneurs in Nyack and global marketing. 1800s– Present,” in Nyack, N.Y., which

Summer 2014 Howard Magazine 29

28-C4 Milestones-Bookshelf.indd 29 6/23/14 11:36 AM Milestones Alumni

Erika McConduit-Diggs, B.A. 1999, ing artists of color who demonstrate Canute A. was named president and CEO of the artistic excellence, outstanding work Knott-Malcolm, Urban League of Greater New Orleans ethic, a spirit of determination and great B.A. 2004, after serving as interim president for potential for leadership. Sneed was hon- founded C.A. nearly a year. She is only the second ored at the Sphinx Medals of Excellence Knott-Malcolm woman to hold the position in the luncheon in Washington, D.C., where he and Associates chapter’s history. received a $50,000 artist scholarship to LLC, a strategic further his professional pursuits. management and consulting firm in New Marion Woodfork Simmons, York City. Knott-Malcolm will serve as the Seeking 31 great leaders... M.B.A. 1999, received the 2012 Anu A. Esuola, D.D.S. 2001, was CEO and principal consultant of the Caroline Historical Society Award for her appointed to the Maryland Governor’s organization. tremendous efforts to research, docu- Commission on African Affairs in May ment, promote and preserve the history 2013. She is the founder of Community Juliet M. of Caroline County, Va. Dentistry on Wheels. Beverly, B.A. 2006, was named motivated to tackle big challenges facing Cleve Mesidor, M.A. 2001, joined the BrainFacts.org public relations firm Raben Group as a web editor at the communities around the world global solutions consultant. He will man- Society for ’00 s age an international portfolio targeting Neuroscience in emerging markets with a focus on Haiti Washington, D.C. She previously was an Crystal Mclntosh, B.S. 2000; and the Caribbean. He will also leverage assistant editor for bridges, an online with a successful track record of - years D.D.S. 2006, was named an American innovation and competitive strategies to magazine on transatlantic science, Dental Education Association (ADEA)/ tackle complex economic challenges. technology and innovation policy, of accomplishments in their primary career Colgate-Palmolive Co./National Dental published by the Office of Science and Association Jeanne C. Sinkford Scholar Marc Battle, J.D. 2002, was appointed Technology at the Embassy of Austria. in the ADEA Leadership Institute. The vice president, Pepco region, for Washing- ADEA Leadership Institute is a yearlong ton, D.C. Battle previously was the associ- Antionette Claranette Wilson, recognizing the value of engaging with Harvard program designed to develop the nation’s ate general counsel for Pepco Holdings D.D.S. 2006, married Kenneth Jervon most promising individuals at academic Inc., where he represented Pepco before Banks on Nov. 30, 2013, in Baltimore and to prepare for their next phase of life’s work dental institutions to become future leaders the Public Service Commission of D.C. honeymooned in Montego Bay, Jamaica. in dental and higher education. McIntosh in a wide variety of matters, including She works as a pediatric dentist. is an assistant professor in the periodontics general rate proceedings. department in the College of Dentistry. Gwendolyn Alex Dixon, B.B.A. 2003, was named Boyd, M.Div. Damien Sneed, Mus.B. 2000, to Baltimore Business Journal’s “40 2007, was named The Advanced Leadership Initiative is a year of education, reﬂection, received the 2014 Medal of Excellence Under 40” list. Dixon is the assistant president of by the Sphinx Foundation. This award general manager at Horseshoe Casino in Alabama State and student mentoring led by a unique collaboration of award-winning is given every year to three outstand- Baltimore. University, Harvard faculty from across professional schools. The program is dedicated becoming the Lloyd Freeman, B.B.A. 2004, was institution’s first female president. An to educating and deploying a new force of experienced, innovative leaders We Want to Know! honored with the Alfredo Santiago engineer, Boyd spent 33 years at the Johns Share the milestones in who want to address challenging global and national problems. your life with old friends and Endowed Scholarship for his efforts to Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory. She classmates. Please send the help students achieve. This scholarship most recently served as executive assistant Inquire now for 2015. information to magazine@ provides financial assistance to graduates chief at Johns Hopkins Applied Physics howard.edu or mail to of the LEAP Academy University Charter Laboratory and was the chair of Johns Howard Magazine, School in Camden, N.J., who are enrolled Hopkins’ university-wide Diversity Visit the website to be inspired by the possibilities: 2225 Georgia Ave., NW Suite 603 full time at one of Rutgers University’s Leadership Council, a post she had held advancedleadership.harvard.edu Washington, DC 20059 three campuses. Freeman is an attorney since 2001. at Archer & Greiner P.C. or email the fellowship director: [email protected]

30 Howard Magazine Summer 2014

28-C4 Milestones-Bookshelf.indd 30 6/17/14 4:08 PM Seeking 31 great leaders...

motivated to tackle big challenges facing communities around the world

with a successful track record of - years of accomplishments in their primary career

recognizing the value of engaging with Harvard to prepare for their next phase of life’s work

The Advanced Leadership Initiative is a year of education, reﬂection, and student mentoring led by a unique collaboration of award-winning Harvard faculty from across professional schools. The program is dedicated to educating and deploying a new force of experienced, innovative leaders who want to address challenging global and national problems. Inquire now for 2015.

Visit the website to be inspired by the possibilities: advancedleadership.harvard.edu or email the fellowship director: [email protected]

28-C4 Milestones-Bookshelf.indd 31 6/4/14 4:05 PM Milestones Alumni

Paul Monteiro, J.D. 2007, was named Leigh Show in February 2014 during the show’s director of AmeriCorps VISTA, one of Chapman, J.D. “Proposal Week.” Bridges surprised his the nation’s oldest anti-poverty programs. 2009, recently bride-to-be during the “Ask Steve” Monteiro previously served in the Office completed a civil segment of the show. of Public Engagement at the White House. rights trial in federal court Alexandra Whittaker, J.D. 2010, was Kathryn H. Epps, B.B.A. 2008, where she served appointed assistant legal advisor to the married Gordon K. Roberson on Sept. 7, as co-counsel on behalf of the plain- U.S. Mission at the World Trade Organi- 2013, in Philadelphia and honeymooned tiffs—which included community zation in Geneva, Switzerland. She will in Hawaii. She oversees a financial ser- groups, labor unions and a church—who represent the U.S. in international trade vice practice with Northwestern Mutual are seeking to defend the voting rights of litigation and during international trade and owns Eventchic LLC, an event man- citizens impacted by Wisconsin’s voter negotiations. agement company. ID requirement. Antoine Bethea, B.A. 2011, was Michael named Colts Man of the Year for his com- Benjamin, B.A. mitment to community service and his 2009, won a leadership on and off the football field. Sports Emmy for ’10s Bethea established the Safe Coverage his work as an Foundation and each year, he sponsors the associate Chris Bridges, Elite High School Exposure Camp, which pro ducer with B.A. 2010, prepares student athletes for the transition NBC Olympics. In London, he assisted proposed to his to the collegiate level. Bethea is currently in the production coordination prior to fiancée, Ivy playing with the San Francisco 49ers. the Olympic Games and gave creative Brown, B.A. direction on graphic implementation. 2010, on the Brenda Steve Harvey Duverce, B.A. 2013, received the 2014 Charles B. Rangel Flashback International Affairs Fellow-

ship. As part of the program she will work for a member of Congress on issues enter,

C related to foreign policy. In the summer h C of 2015, the U.S. Department of State will sear

e send her overseas to work in a U.S. r embassy to get hands-on experience with U.S. foreign policy and the work of the pingarn ives s Foreign Service. Duverce is completing a h C

r Fulbright research project in Botswana. a

oorland- Marquis. D M niversity of Gibson, B.A. u

2013, recently ward

o performed in h Courtesy The Piano Lesson, The Hilltop newspaper turns 90 this year! Pictured is the 1955 his professional staff of the student-run newspaper, which was co-founded by theater debut, the Harlem Renaissance writer Zora Neale Hurston. at Cape Fear Regional Theatre in Fayetteville, N.C.

32 Howard Magazine Summer 2014

28-C4 Milestones-Bookshelf.indd 32 6/17/14 4:09 PM In Memoriam Alumni

guidebooks. In addition, she provided archival assistance to the Mashpee Wampanoag Native American tribe. She ’30s was 101 years old. Gloria E. Carter, B.S. 1949; M.S.W Idella M. Ford, Dip.N. 1934, died Jan. 1951, died Aug. 23, 2013. Carter 23, 2014. Ford worked as a staff nurse in worked at Belleview hospital in New Uniontown, Pa., before enlisting in the York, was director of social services for Army’s Nursing Corps during World Muhlenberg RMC and supervisor of War II. A first lieutenant, she was the case management at the United Family first Black psychiatric nurse in Bush- and Children’s Society in Plainfield, N.J. nell General Hospital in Brigham City, She was a member of Links, Delta Sigma Rackham H. Goodlett, a long- Utah. Ford went on to work with the Theta sorority and the Plainfield branch time professor at Howard, died Pennsylvania Department of Health, the of American University Women. She was Dec. 17, 2013, at the age of 71. veterans hospital in Tuskegee, Ala., and married to Herman Carter, M.S.W. Goodlett was a professor in the Freedmen’s Hospital in Washington, 1950, for 63 years. Department of Math and assis- D.C., where she worked for 23 years as a tant director of the University’s specialist in internal medicine. In 2004, Joseph M. Jenkins, B.S. 1949, died Center for Academic Reinforce- she was honored during the National July 28, 2013. Jenkins began his career ment. For more than 30 years, WWII Memorial dedication ceremony. in the Baltimore City Public School he inspired countless students Ford was the founder and president of System, where he was a teacher and a through his passion for teaching Freedmen’s Hospital School of Nursing mentor. He also taught special courses and learning. Alumni Association and was instru- at the Community College of Baltimore, A scholarship fund has been mental in the funding of the Howard Coppin State University and Morgan established in his name and will University Retirement Organization. State University. He received several be awarded to a rising junior She was 103 years old. National Science Foundation grants with the highest GPA improve- from Morgan State University and Vir- ment from the freshman to ginia State University. After retiring, he sophomore year. Contributions became active with the Howard Univer- to the Rackham Goodlett Schol- sity Alumni Club of Baltimore. He was a arship Fund can be sent to the ’4 0 s member of several organizations, includ- Division of Development and ing Phi Beta Sigma Inc., Phi Delta Kappa Alumni Relations, 2225 Georgia Charlotte Schuster Price, B.A. and the NAACP. He was 87 years old. Ave., NW, Suite 901, Washing- 1948, died Dec. 22, 2013. In the 1940s, ton, DC 20059. Price belonged to the organization Consolidated Parents, which fought for school desegregation in Washington, Carl C. McCraven, B.S.E.E. 1950, D.C. As a member of the League of ’50s died Sept. 5, 2012. McCraven was the Women Voters, she fought for voting founder of Pacoima Memorial Lutheran rights for D.C. residents. She was very Herman Carter, M.S.W. 1950, died Hospital and Hillview Mental Health active in the Americans for Democratic Jan. 15, 2014. Carter was the director of Center Inc. in Pacoima, Calif. He also Action and served as vice president of social services at the University Hospital served as president of the boards of both the Washington chapter. After mov- in Newark, N.J., and Greystone Psy- agencies and as CEO of Hillview. As a ing to Plymouth, Mass., she launched chiatric Hospital in Morris Plains, N.J. community activist, he served on other a new career as an archivist at Pilgrim He served on several boards, including boards dealing with health, mental Hall, the area’s historical society, where Planned Parenthood and the Union health and youth welfare. He also served she was curator of books and manu- County Psychiatric Clinic. He was mar- as president of the San Fernando Val- scripts for 12 years. Her research on ried to Gloria E. Carter, B.S. 1949; ley branch of the NAACP and on the Cape Cod led to the publication of three M.S.W. 1951, for 63 years. NAACP’s national board of directors.

Summer 2014 Howard Magazine 33

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Coletta Warren-Pilz, Mus.B. 1950, Austria. She worked as a guide for the the United Nations in a concert tour died June 18, 2013. After graduating United Nations and modeled for Ebony, of Egypt and the Gaza Strip. She was from Howard, Warren-Pilz won a schol- Jet, Tan and other national magazines. engaged by several Austrian and Ger- arship to Juilliard School in New York, She was named Miss United States in the man opera houses as leading coloratura where she received the Marian Anderson nation’s first interracial beauty contest. soprano, also appearing in Italy, Hun- Award. She also was awarded a Fulbright During her professional career as an gary, Switzerland and France. scholarship to study at the Academy for opera singer, she toured the U.S., Puerto Music and Performing Arts in Vienna, Rico and Canada and represented Hayden B. Williams, B.S. 1952; M.S. 1954; D.D.S. 1958, died Sept. 12, 2012. Williams served on a troop Wendell G. Freeland, B.A. 1947, transport ship during World War II. a highly respected defense attorney, After graduating from Howard, he spent civil rights pioneer and member of a year at Harlem Hospital in New York the legendary tuskegee airmen, died City on an oral surgery internship. He Jan. 24, 2014, at the age of 88. then served as a dental officer in D.C. freeland was attending howard for 20 years while maintaining a private when he joined the airmen, and practice there for more than 40 years. served as a lieutenant with the 477th He was 86 years old. bombardment group during world war II. In 1945, freeland’s unit was Carrous Frederick Robinson, B.A. transferred to freeman field, Ind., 1953; B.L. 1956, died June 18, 2011. where he and other soldiers were Robinson practiced law for more than arrested after trying to integrate an 55 years at his practice in Flint, Mich. all-white officer’s club. freeland and his comrades were charged with He fought against racism and inequality mutiny and, although the charges were eventually dropped, the resistance through his work and the creation of sev- became known as the freeman field Mutiny and helped set the stage for eral organizations, including the Urban the sit-ins during the civil rights movement. Coalition of Flint and the Community Just 20 years old at the time, freeland said his time at howard had Civic League. As a civil rights activist, he already colored his notion of when to stand up and when to speak up. was instrumental in the 1968 Fair Hous- “I don’t know if it was the courage of youth, but I was definitely but- ing Ordinance, initiating the complaint tressed by my experience at howard,” he told Howard Magazine in a 2012 that led to the elimination of separate interview. “we considered ourselves the best and brightest, so we were screening for teachers based on race, w e I

going to act that way in life.” and he drafted the proposed ordinance v e after the war ended, he returned to howard to complete his studies, to establish the Flint Human Relations r une-

graduating cum laude. he earned his law degree from the university Commission. He was a member of sev- b I r t of Maryland school of Law, becoming one of its first african-american eral organizations, including the Alpha graduates. Phi Alpha fraternity and the NAACP. over the years, he built a career on helping clients whose voices were He was honored by the National Bar tsburgh t often ignored or misunderstood. In the early 1950s, he successfully sued I

Association Hall of Fame and received P / s I

the city of Pittsburgh to desegregate the swimming pool at the city’s main a Flint Club of the National Associa- v a d municipal park and fought to integrate the city’s public schools. Most tion of Negro Business and Professional L. recently, he petitioned the Pennsylvania supreme Court to overturn the rul- Woman’s Club Inc.’s 2011 Frederick Dou- ney d

ing on george vashon, the first african american to graduate from oberlin glass Award. He was 79 years old. sI

College and the first black professor at howard university, whose applica- of tion for the Pennsylvania bar was rejected in 1847 and 1868. In 2010, the Lewis W. Marshall Sr., B.S. 1955; court posthumously admitted vashon to the bar. M.D. 1959, died Jan. 23, 2014. Marshall Courtesy

freeland also served as senior vice president of the national urban served in the Air Force Reserve, from h P League and president of the Pittsburgh chapter of the urban League. 1963–65. In 1976, Marshall opened —Raven Padgett an internal medicine and infectious

diseases practice at Providence Hos- Photogra

34 Howard Magazine Summer 2014

28-C4 Milestones-Bookshelf.indd 34 6/4/14 4:05 PM pital. He served as the hospital’s chief ist in Beverly Hills, Calif., where she legislature and as a professor at Bowie of infectious diseases for the depart- had prominent clients, including Elvis State University. She was 78 years old. ment of internal medicine and general Presley. Wilcox also started an eclec- practice for 38 years and served as the tic collection sales business. She was Peggy Young May, D.D.S. 1975, chairman of the infection control com- a member of Sigma Phi Alpha Dental died Jan. 29, 2014. She joined the Swope mittee of the medical-dental staff for 21 Hygiene Honor Society. She was 89 Health Services Dental department in years. He was co-director of the Medi- years old. 1985, and soon after became the depart- cine for Peace Health Center and made ment chair, while practicing general volunteer trips with the humanitarian Charles P. Hammock, B.L. 1966, dentistry. She was active in the Greater organization to Bosnia and Herzegov- died Feb. 15, 2014. Hammock was a Kansas City Dental Society and served ina, Iraq and Haiti. He was a founding state representative for the 196th dis- on several advisory committees for the member and past president of the Jazz trict from January 1973 to November Missouri Primary Care Association. She Listening Group in Washington. He was 1976 and was a founding member of was 64 years old. 79 years old. the Black Political Forum. During the ’70s, he served as board chair for the Pamela Hall, B.A. 1978, died Jan. Leon M. West, B.A. 1956; M.A. National Office of Black Catholics and 21, 2014. After graduation, she became 1972, died Jan. 29, 2014. West retired led a delegation to Rome in 1971 to meet music director at WBLS-FM, part of from the Congress of National Black Pope Paul at the Vatican to encour- Inner City Broadcasting in New York Churches and had also been employed by age the appointment of a Black bishop. City. When she returned to Baltimore, the International Association of Chiefs He mentored high school students and she worked at a cable TV station, as a leg- of Police as director of special services. promoted equality as a contributing islative aide to Rep. Elijah E. Cummings He was a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha writer for the Philadelphia Public Record (D-Md.) and as an independent record fraternity. He was 79 years old. newspaper. His last work as a historian, representative in the Mid-Atlantic region. creative consultant and lead actor was Hall was named Black Radio’s Music Ray G. Clark, B.S.E.E. 1957, died his portrayal of Frederick Douglass for Director of the Year in 1992, and Bill- Jan. 7, 2014. As a lawyer, Clark special- Philly Cam’s TV program Conversations board magazine nominated her as Music ized in death penalty cases. He became Across Time. He was 72 years old. Director of the Year. In 1993, she became well-known for his representation a music director and interim program of Richard Ramirez in the infamous director at Howard. She then briefly “Night Stalker” case. In 1991, the John changed careers and became a registered M. Langston Bar Association named representative at T. Rowe Price and Clark the Criminal Defense Lawyer of ’70s Morgan Stanley. In 2000, she returned to the Year. Before becoming a lawyer, he music and was program director and on- worked on aviation and aerospace proj- Audrey M. Scott, B.A. 1973, died air personality for the jazz channel Riff ects. He was 82 years old. Clark’s widow, Feb. 26, 2013. After graduating from the at WorldSpace Satellite Radio Network Barbara H. Clark (B.A. 1956), Columbus School of Law, she began her in Washington, D.C. She also built the established the Ray G. Clark Engineer- legal career with Memphis Area Legal format for the WorldSpace Gospel Chan- ing Scholarship Fund at Howard Univer- Services. During her career, the longtime nel. In 2011, she became the program sity. Contributions can be sent to the judge also worked for the local Equal director for Morgan State University’s Division of Development and Alumni Employment Opportunity Commis- WEAA-FM. She was 57 years old. Relations, 2225 Georgia Ave., NW, Suite sion and Social Security Administration 901, Washington, DC 20059. Memphis Hearings Office. She was 65 years old.

Constance St. Clair Solan, B.A. 1975; M.A. 1980; Ph.D. 1984, died ’60s Oct. 17, 2013. Solan served as department chair for the economics depart- Lois Ellen Wilcox, D.H.Cer. 1965, ment at Howard. She also worked as a died. Wilcox worked as a dental hygien- fiscal analyst with the Maryland state

Summer 2014 Howard Magazine 35

28-C4 Milestones-Bookshelf.indd 35 6/17/14 4:09 PM Bison Bookshelf

Mermaid: A Mary McLeod Why Not Be Memoir of Bethune in Happy? (Xlibris ), Resilience (W.W. Washington, by Brian D. Norton & Co.), D.C. (The History Mosby (B.S.C.E. by Eileen Cronin Press), by Ida E. ’94), is a spiritual (Ph.D. ’90), is a Jones (B.A. ’93; guide on learning poignant mem- M.A. ’95; Ph.D. to make choices oir chronicling ’01), chronicles that produce joy in the author’s life the civil rights one’s life. growing up as one activist’s move to of 11 children, Washington, D.C., facing a multitude in 1936, and her charge to change the Bay Leaves of challenges, including not having legs. segregationist policies of local hospi- and Cinnamon Cronin shares her inspirational story of tals and concert halls, while mentoring Sticks (Xlibris ), self-discovery and transformation with countless African-American women in by Thelma B. humor and grace. the District. Thompson (B.A. ’70; M.A. ’72; The True Worth Ten Lessons My Ph.D. ’78), tells of a Race (Asso- Mother Taught Me the story of a ciation of Black Before She Died Jamaican woman Women Histori- (CreateSpace), by who seeks a better ans), Eds. Lopez Faith Elle (Walls) life for herself and D. Matthews Jr. (M.Ed. ’07), high- her family by coming to America to work (Ph.D. ’09) and lights 10 life les- in people’s homes. The author, former Kenvi C. Phillips sons the author’s president of the (M.A. ’05; Ph.D. mother taught her, University of ’10), celebrates and how she has Maryland Eastern African-American applied them to Shore, also pub- women in the her own life since her mother’s death lished Children’s struggle for freedom. The book features in 2007. Day (Xlibris), essays on some well-known and lesser- which features a known civil rights leaders. U See the child who investi- Unicorn gates why children don’t have an official A Shed for Wood (Xlibris), by day named after them. (Salmon Poetry), Robert Todd by Daniel (B.A. ’60) and Thomas Moran Elaine B. Todd (D.D.S. ’83), (B.A. ’65; M.A. is the author’s ’71; Ph.D. ’87), seventh collec- is an adventur- tion of poetry, ous children’s in which he book about a comes home mystical character who serves as a men- To submit a book again to Ireland. tor to other animals in search of a beauti- for consideration in He describes his ful paradise. Bison Bookshelf, please mail a copy to: poems as “a travelogue of oddly varied Howard Magazine subjects and points of view.” 2225 Georgia Ave., NW Suite 614 Washington, DC 20059

36 Howard Magazine Summer 2014

28-C4 Milestones-Bookshelf.indd 36 6/17/14 4:10 PM 28-C4 Milestones-Bookshelf.indd 3 6/4/14 4:06 PM Nonprofit U.S. Postage Paid Howard University Permit No. 6115 Office of University Communications Washington, DC 2225 Georgia Ave., NW, Sixth Fl. Washington, DC 20059

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