My Time at The Mecca (Howard Homecoming 2005)

Howard Homecoming 2005 was a great experience, too bad the Step Show tickets were sold out!

Top 3 Ways to Get the HBCU Experience Vicariously
1) Attend a Howard Homecoming
2) Buy the "A Different World" Season One on DVD (yeah it's coming out, and my order has been placed at Amazon.com)
3) Spend more time visiting Morgan State University (it is in my own backyard here in Baltimore)

I was so excited to attend my first Howard Homecoming, it actually would have been my second, had things worked out and I been able to attend Howard, but I'm still blessed to be at Loyola on my way to doing it big, and having an extended family at Howard. Who knows what will happen? I might end up there for my master's degree or a law degree.

My bestfriend KG, his two cousin's and I, boarded the Metro in Greenbelt and headed down to HU. We got there before kickoff and made our way up to the Hilltop where the quad was bustling with Yardfest. Then we made our way to the stadium which was already packed. Luckily we found seats which weren't too crowded, though they were behind one of the goal posts.

As we took our seats we were treated to the sights and sounds of the HU marching band. Then about five minutes after the game started in marched the North Carolina A & T Marching Band and they were on point. Their uniforms were serious, their girls were serious, their formation was serious, and their sounds were serious!

Howard would go on to win the game16-0, but if Howard won the battle, the A & T band won the battle of the bands.

While there we saw the likes of Tyson Beckford the model walking around like he was a rapper or somebody, Jadakiss was there, the actual rapper, KeKe Sheppard from "It's Showtime at the Apollo", and someone said they saw Mike Jones, but I didn't see him, and to be honest wouldn't know what he looked like.

Overall things went well black people represented and didn't embarrass themselves or each other. It's a testament to the tremendous power and potential which still exists for HBCU's. Nowhere else but at Howard does it seem that a school embraces a city and a community like Howard does, no place else is the pride felt by those who don't even go there, the history and heritage are not just legendary but actual. It's amazing the connectedness you feel just by walking the campus it's fun time, it's family time, it's friend time, and it's a time for all to celebrate.

A great time was had by all, HU definitely held it down, and impressed me. I hope to make the trip again next year.