By Christen Hill
Howard University’s Annenberg Honors Program recently hosted a groundbreaking panel titled “Empowering Voices: The Significance of Research in the Black Community,” reaffirming its commitment to student-centered scholarship and culturally grounded academic inquiry. Held for the Cathy Hughes School of Communications, the event convened leading faculty, students, and researchers to examine the power and purpose of Black research in shaping narratives and impacting communities.
The panel included Dr. Kenisha Grant and Dr. Marcus Ward from the department of political science, Dr. Kapriatta Jenkins from the school of communications, and Trinity Webster-Bass, a graduating senior in the Annenberg Honors Program. Moderated by a student leader from the program, the conversation centered on how research must go beyond methodology to truly reflect care, authenticity, and ethical responsibility.
Panelists emphasized that data does not speak for itself. Instead, research is inherently shaped by the researcher’s biases, perspectives, and intentions. As such, Black research must be conducted with an understanding of cultural context and a deep sense of accountability to the communities it serves.
Webster-Bass presented insights from her thesis on Black women in hip-hop. She highlighted how common themes such as empowerment, friendship, and identity are often dismissed in mainstream discourse. Her research emphasized that Black women use music as a means to tell powerful, nuanced stories rooted in real-life experience.
Jenkins reflected on how traditional marketing research frequently fails to account for the lived realities of Black consumers. She advocated for decolonized research methods that incorporate intersectionality and recognize the diversity of Black engagement with media, messaging, and consumer behavior.
Throughout the event, panelists underscored the importance of grounding present-day research in historical understanding. They noted that many of today’s challenges and themes have deep historical roots, stretching back decades and even centuries. A solid grasp of history, they argued, is essential for any meaningful and transformative research.
The conversation also emphasized the need to reject deficit-driven narratives about Black communities and instead center research around joy, resilience, innovation, and excellence. The scholars collectively encouraged students to not only question outdated academic models but to forge new ones that are inclusive and affirming.
The Annenberg Honors Program, which demands academic excellence and requires students to complete rigorous, graduate-level theses, positions itself as a leader in fostering socially conscious scholarship. Its guiding principle of “excellence without excuse” is reflected in the program’s focus on community, cultural relevance, and justice.
The event concluded with a call to broaden representations in academic research. It highlighted that true inclusion in research means recognizing the vast array of Black experiences, identities, and contributions — not limiting them to a single narrative.
The panel served as a vibrant reminder that the future of research must be led by those who understand the communities they study and are committed to celebrating, preserving, and advancing those legacies.