By Murphy Jones
Howard University Alternative Spring Break (HUASB) sent Howard University students to 25 U.S. domestic sites, including Puerto Rico and Ghana, to address social justice issues during their spring break, March 4-11, 2023.
The 29th annual HUASB program has brought thousands of Bison to domestic and international sites to develop ethical leadership skills and restore communities. Instead of what some consider a “traditional spring break,” Howard students learn to embrace the University motto “truth and service” through the annual service-learning program.
The student executive board chose the theme “Back to Our Roots” for this year’s program to commemorate the decades of service in communities throughout the globe. In 2020, all travel and programming for Howard University Alternative Spring Break were suspended due to the risks associated with the coronavirus pandemic. In 2021, the students led through perseverance and established a plan for virtual civic engagement—a first in the program’s nearly three-decade history. The program returns to its original in-person domestic and international service sites in almost two years.
“HUASB is a learning lab that challenges students’ growth as leaders and requires that they recommit to finding their purpose in the service of others,” said Bernard L. Richardson, Ph.D., dean of the Chapel.
Coordinated through the Office of the Dean of the Chapel, Howard University’s Alternative Spring Break program is completely student-led. Student site coordinators select site initiatives that guide the mission of their service while steering committee members develop communications plans, document the planning process, manage databases, plan campus-wide events, and organize fundraisers. This year the program moved forward with over 1,200 Howard University students and 25 domestic and international sites:
- Accra, GH
- Baltimore, MD
- Charleston, WV
- Charleston, SC
- Charlotte, NC
- Chicago, IL
- Cleveland, OH
- Detroit, MI
- El Paso, TX
- Flint, MI
- Fort Myers, FL
- Jackson, MS
- Louisville, KY
- Memphis, TN
- Nashville, TN
- New Orleans, LA
- New York (Bronx), NY
- Newark, NJ
- Milwaukee, WI
- Oakland, CA
- Philadelphia, PA
- Richmond, VA
- San Juan, PR
- St Louis, MO
- Washington, D.C
HUASB is also unique because it is offered at no cost to participants. In order to raise the necessary funds to support the students’ travel and projects, donations were accepted for HUASB through the annual Helping Hands Radiothon held Sunday, February 26. Sponsored by the University’s radio station, WHUR 96.3 FM, the event allowed steering committee members, student participants, and advisors to build community together and raise money for HUASB 2023. Supporters may still donate HUASB by visiting giving.howard.edu/alternativespringbreak.
The Helping Hands Radiothon placed HUASB participants and staff up close and personal with the community. Additionally, community members passing by Howard’s campus on Georgia Avenue could learn about HUASB 2023 right from their cars while the student bucket brigade collected donations to fund life-changing experiences for students and communities.
