Written by Howard University Newsroom Staff
Howard University’s annual Charter Day Celebration: A Virtual Experience will be held on Saturday, March 5 at 7 p.m. The celebration is the culminating event commemorating the signing of the University charter by President Andrew Johnson on March 2, 1867, despite his opposing personal and political views which were notoriously racist and misogynistic. Traditionally held the day after Charter Day Convocation, the Charter Day Celebration is a time-honored tradition featuring a notable potpourri of speakers, entertainment and recognition of distinguished alumni and staff. It is a time when Howard honors its past, revels in the present and charts a course for the future.
“With the stroke of a pen, President Andrew Johnson brought Howard University to life. Our beloved institution has cultivated so many Black leaders and prominent figures across industries, including sending the first Black woman to the White House,” said Wayne A. I. Frederick, president of Howard University. “We are so proud and honored to celebrate Charter Day and to use this precious opportunity to showcase the many strengths and multiple facets of our beloved University.”
Like no other event on the University calendar, the Charter Day Celebration displays the University’s strengths in many dimensions. The celebration highlights the University’s enduring qualities in the development of excellence, service and leadership, as will be reflected in tributes to outstanding alumni; its attractiveness to, and substantive partnership with, the corporate world; and its continuing relevance to the community as well as students, alumni and friends of all ages.
This year’s festivities feature performances by Grammy award nominee, singer, songwriter, producer, professor and Howard University alumnus, Eric Roberson, who continues to break boundaries as an independent artist in an industry dominated by major labels, manufactured sounds and mainstream radio. He has achieved major milestones in his career, from being a successful songwriter and producer for notable artists, such as Jill Scott, Musiq Soulchild, Dwele, Vivian Green and countless others, to headlining sold-out tours across the country.
Roberson celebrates 21 years as an independent artist, creating “honest music” since 2001, which has afforded him the artistic freedom that is not typically offered in the mainstream music industry. To celebrate this achievement, Roberson will release a new album on April 1, entitled “Lessons.” Roberson also serves as professor at the legendary Berklee College of Music in Boston. In 2017, he created “The Process,” a forum in which he invites fans to navigate through his creative experience. It allows fans to listen and comment to unreleased songs, thereby being a part of the “process” of making music.
The Charter Day celebration also showcases lifelong achievements of distinguished University alumni. Since 1943, Howard has honored those among its ranks who embody its values as exemplars of excellence in truth and service. The Alumni Award for Distinguished Postgraduate Achievement is one of our community’s highest honors and is reserved for those individuals whose contributions have made a profound difference in their communities. The 2022 Alumni Award honorees are Edmund W. Gordon, Dianne Dillon-Ridgley, Henry “Hank” James Thomas and Crystal Waters. Each will be presented with the prestigious award by President Frederick and will share remarks following the individual award presentations.
