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The Hilltop •

HUSA President Lies About Resigning, Claims Good Intent

Naesoj Ware, president of the 65th Howard University Student Association (HUSA) announced earlier this month that she was resigning from her position. The next day she said it was all a hoax, but according to her, the announcement was never supposed to leave the room. 


On Tuesday, Nov. 4 HUSA held its monthly general body meeting and at the end, Ware informed the audience of department directors, sub department leads and HUSA staffers of her  unexpected decision. 


That night of the announc...
The Hilltop •

Letter From the Editor: The Hilltop’s Commitment To Students And Truth

Dear Bison Community,


For over 100 years, The Hilltop has written stories by Howard students, for Howard students. Our primary audience is the Howard community, the HBCU community and the Black community. As such, each story we choose to write is in the interest of these groups. When students were robbed at gunpoint on campus in January, we covered the incident. When a student died as a result of a car crash that occurred on April 11, 2024, we covered that. When a student won a scholarship fr...
The Hilltop •

President Frederick Returns and Meets With Student Leaders

The start of a new month brought a new leader to Howard University, as former president Wayne A.I. Frederick returned as interim while the Board of Trustees searches for a permanent successor.


Frederick served as the 17th president of Howard from 2014-2024. He holds three degrees from Howard, earning a Bachelor of Science in Zoology in 1992, a Doctorate in Medicine in 1994 and a Master of Business Administration in 2011.


On the morning of his third day back, he met with student leaders to...
The Hilltop - The Nation's Oldest Black Collegiate •

Vinson Out As Howard President, Wayne Frederick Returns As Interim

Howard University announced Friday that Ben Vinson, III, Ph.D., will depart from the University on Aug. 31, becoming the president with the shortest tenure at the school in approximately 150 years.


Vinson had the shortest tenure of any president since Edward Parmelee Smith, who served six months from Dec. 1875 to June 1876. A university spokesperson declined to comment “on personnel matters,” like the intended length of Vinson’s contract. 


According to the Howard University Board of Truste...
The Seattle Medium •

Podcast: Journalist Sydney Goitia-Doran Shares Her Career Journey With Seattle Medium

Sydney Goitia-Doran, a rising junior at Howard University, recently concluded an internship with the Seattle Medium newspaper, where she engaged in reporting community-focused news and integrated into the editorial team. Her experience included discussions on the significance and influence of journalism, particularly within the context of the Black Press. 


Interview by Chris B. Bennett

Sydney Goitia-Doran, a rising junior at Howard University, recently concluded an internship with the Seattl...
The Seattle Medium •

Underserved Veterans To Benefit From $1.2M King County Grant To Bellevue College

By Sydney Goitia-Doran, The Seattle Medium


King County has awarded Bellevue College a $1.2 million grant to launch a pilot program supporting underserved student veterans. Funded through the Veterans, Seniors and Human Services Levy, the program is designed to help veterans who are low-income, living with disabilities, BIPOC, LGBTQIA, homeless, or previously incarcerated.


Josh Kienlen, director of Veteran Services at Bellevue College, said the program fills a critical gap for veterans and...
The Seattle Medium •

Rainier Scholars Helps Guide Students From Fourth Grade To College Graduation

By Sydney Goitia-Doran, The Seattle Medium


Rainier Scholars, a nonprofit organization in Seattle, is opening doors to college for students who are often overlooked in higher education. The program offers more than 12 years of continuous support to each participant, combining academic instruction and leadership development to increase college graduation rates among the most underrepresented student populations on college campuses.


According to the program’s website, 91% of the program’s sch...
The Seattle Medium •

Podcast: Kyla Marks Achieves Debt-Free Dental Degree With $700,000 In Scholarships

Kyla Marks is poised to achieve her goal of becoming a dentist by age 25, graduating without debt thanks to securing over $700,000 in scholarships for her undergraduate and dental education. Her journey underscores the significance of determination and community support in overcoming financial barriers to higher education. The Seattle Medium’s Summer Intern Sydney Goitia-Doran has the story.


Interview by Chris B. Bennett.

Kyla Marks is poised to achieve her goal of becoming a dentist by age...
The Seattle Medium •

UNCF’s Portfolio Project Opens Doors To College, Scholarships, And Career Paths

By Sydney Goitia-Doran, The Seattle Medium


As part of their overall mission to help students attend and complete college, the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) hosts its annual portfolio project to help African American students decide on a college and prepare their application materials.


Linda Thompson-Black, area development director of UNCF Seattle, which includes Washington, Oregon, and Alaska, says the program includes college preparatory resources, access to their annual college and c...
The Seattle Medium •

Kyla Marks Secures $700,000 In Scholarships, Graduates Debt-Free

By Sydney Goitia-Doran, The Seattle Medium


        Kyla Marks is on track to become a dentist at 25 — and she will graduate debt-free after securing more than $700,000 in scholarships to fully cover her undergraduate and dental school education.


        It began when her mother, Trinity Chandler, compiled what would eventually become a thick binder of local scholarship information after Marks decided to pursue a degree in the medical field.


        For Marks, entering the medical field...
The Seattle Medium •

Seattle’s Moniah Gabriel Crowned Miss HBCU Teen 2025

By Sydney Goitia-Doran, The Seattle Medium


Kennedy Catholic High School student Moniah Gabriel had not attended a pageant before, let alone participated in one. But after her mother signed her up for the Miss HBCU Teen 2025 pageant and her community voiced their support, she stepped onto the stage and shined —ultimately being crowned Miss HBCU Teen 2025.


The Miss HBCU Teen Pageant is a national competition for high school girls committed to attending Historically Black Colleges and Univers...
The Seattle Medium •

NAACP’s ACT-SO Program Empowers Seattle Youth Through National Competition

By Sydney Goitia-Doran, The Seattle Medium


Each year, the NAACP hosts the Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics (ACT-SO), a nationwide competition where students showcase their talents in 32 categories spanning the disciplines of STEM, performing arts, humanities, visual arts, business, and culinary arts.


According to Carolyn Riley-Payne, who chaired the Seattle King County NAACP ACT-SO program for many years, the Seattle branch has been part of the national ACT-SO...
The Seattle Medium •

Dawn Mason Receives Key To The City At Annual Fish Fry

By Sydney Goitia-Doran, The Seattle Medium


Every year, Elder Dawn Mason hosts a community fish fry at her home in Columbia City. This year was particularly special for Mason — as the former state representative Celebrated her 80th birthday on the 30th anniversary of her fish fry.


The event, which drew over 300 community members under the theme “Boots on the Ground”, featured Dawn’s salty, flaky fried catfish, the Double Dutch Divas, the Buffalo Soldiers of Seattle, line dancing, and live m...
The Seattle Medium •

University Of Washington Residence Halls Renamed To Honor Marvin Oliver, Thaddeus Spratlen And Lois Price-Spratlen

By Sydney Goitia-Doran, The Seattle Medium


The University of Washington last week honored the lasting impact of three distinguished professors—Dr. Lois Price Spratlen, Dr. Thaddeus Spratlen, and Marvin Oliver—by renaming two of its residence halls in their memory. Willow Hall is now Oliver Hall, and Madrona Hall has been renamed Spratlen Hall, recognizing the Spratlens’ pioneering work in education, social justice, and community leadership.


The Spratlens were prominent figures in Seattle’s...
The Seattle Medium •

New Exhibit Highlights Creativity And Humanity Of Incarcerated Artists

By Sydney Goitia-Doran, The Seattle Medium


Wa Na Wari, a Black arts organization in Seattle’s Central District, is centering the voices of incarcerated individuals in its latest exhibit. Running from June 6 to July 13, Voices From Inside showcases creative work from the Black Prisoners Caucus (BPC), an inmate-led group at Monroe Correctional Complex dedicated to education, empowerment, and advocacy for Black prisoners.


Inye Wokoma, co-director and co-founder of Wa Na Wari — which means “ou...
The Seattle Medium •

More Seniors Are Staying In Their Homes Thanks To King County’s Revised Tax Relief Program

By Sydney Goitia-Doran, The Seattle Medium


After decades of existence, King County’s tax relief program for senior or disabled individuals has expanded its eligibility and become more accessible in the last few years. According to King County Chief Deputy Assessor Al Dams, the program allows property tax exemptions and deferrals for eligible citizens, which is especially beneficial for senior citizens who wish to age in their own home.


Under the current criteria, applicants must be at leas...
The Seattle Medium •

King County Looks To Expand Farm To Food Bank Program

By Sydney Goitia-Doran, The Seattle Medium


As part of its 2025 Strategic Climate Action Plan (SCAP), King County is looking to expand its Farm to Food Bank (FTFB) program, which aims to reduce food insecurity while strengthening local food systems and cutting food waste. The new plan, which was sent to the County Council on June 11, will scale the program to meet growing demand and strengthen regional food systems.


FTFB connects Washington farms with hunger relief organizations to ensure f...
The Seattle Medium •

Miss Juneteenth Pageant Celebrates Cultural Excellence And Pride

By Sydney Goitia-Doran, The Seattle Medium


Cheers erupted at the Tacoma Art Museum last Thursday as Derrion Crocklem was crowned Miss Juneteenth 2025, concluding the third annual pageant with glittering gowns, joyful tears and the celebratory anthem “Golden” by Jill Scott.


Hosted by Community Aunties, an organization dedicated to youth empowerment through mentorship, scholarships, leadership development, and cultural celebration, the pageant highlighted the talents and voices of young Blac...
The Seattle Medium •

Free Lockboxes Distributed On National Gun Violence Awareness Day

By Sydney Goitia-Doran, The Seattle Medium


For National Gun Violence Awareness Day last Friday, Public Health – Seattle & King County joined forces with local nonprofits and municipalities to distribute free gun lockboxes. The annual event aims to promote secure firearm storage as a step toward preventing gun-related injuries and deaths. This year’s partners included Community Passageways, Freedom Project, Urban Family, Progress Pushers, the Federal Way Community Center and the City of Auburn...
The Hilltop - The Nation's Oldest Black Collegiate •

Black Students Reflect On Representation Following Cynthia Erivo’s Role in “Wicked”

Long before people in movie theaters saw Cynthia Erivo soaring through the air and powerfully belting in the recent film adaptation, “Wicked,” Erivo discovered the deeper significance of her role as Elphaba. 


When Karis Musongole, who played young Elphaba in the movie, arrived on set early one day, Erivo asked if the then 8-year-old actress wanted to see her fly. 


Musongole eagerly agreed and watched the crew prepare Erivo for a flight scene, securing her harness and cape and transforming...
The Hilltop - The Nation's Oldest Black Collegiate •

What Kamala Harris’ Fashion Choices Reveal About Her Campaign

When Vice President Kamala Harris formally accepted her nomination to run for president at the 2024 Democratic National Convention, her speech wasn’t the only message she delivered on stage.  


She wore a navy blue power suit designed by Chloé, a French luxury fashion house. The suit, estimated to cost over $3,000 like Chloé’s other high-end sets, was one of many similar outfits Harris has worn at events across the United States for her presidential campaign. 


Stepping onto stages in a rain...
The Hilltop - The Nation's Oldest Black Collegiate •

Vice President Harris’ Election Night Event Attracts Lines on Georgia Avenue

On Tuesday morning, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) website posted a rally on their website titled “Election Night Event with Vice President Kamala Harris in D.C.” The event will be on The Yard from 9 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. on Election Day and is available for anyone to RSVP.


People who signed up for the event said they received an email from the DNC around 2 p.m. Tuesday stating that doors for the event would open at 9 p.m. They were told to meet at Georgia Avenue and Barry Place NW, nea...
The Hilltop - The Nation's Oldest Black Collegiate •

All Divine Nine Greek Organizations Step in Centennial Show

Hundreds of students, alumni, Greek-affiliated visitors and other homecoming attendees lined up outside Burr Gymnasium last Friday night waiting to enter the sold-out step show, the first in years that all Greek organizations of the Divine Nine (D9) took to the stage. 


As the doors opened at 7 p.m., ticket collectors let in the crowd that soon packed the gym’s bleachers and rows of chairs on the floor in front of the stage.


Tyla’ Woods, a junior marketing major, served as co-coordinator fo...
The Hilltop - The Nation's Oldest Black Collegiate •

Sandlot D.C. Is Coming To Shaw

Two years ago, CVS vacated its location down the street from Howard on Florida and Georgia Ave, leaving the building abandoned. Now, Ian Callender, a D.C. native with a passion for revitalization, wants to bring the empty building back to life. 


“The moment that they vacated and we saw the sign come off, I said this might be the opportunity to do something,” Callender said.


His new project, Sandlot Uptown, aims to transform the deserted lot into an event space where Howard students and the...
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