From Howard to Hollywood: 5 Celebrities Who Once Called HU Home
As you may or may not know, our current Vice President and candidate for President of the United States, Kamala Harris, graduated from Howard University (HU) in 1986. Established in 1867, Howard is a private historically black college and university (HBCU) located in the state’s capital, Washington, D.C.
Harris is among many notable alums who started their education at Howard and ended up in very successful careers.
So, without further ado, let’s take a look at other famous people who attended Howard.
Chadwick Boseman
Chadwick was an award-winning actor, writer, and producer known for his roles as historical and fictional Black characters in films. Some of his movies include 21 Bridges, 42, Get On Up, and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. Chadwick’s fame skyrocketed when he played the African superhero Black Panther/ T’Challa in Black Panther in 2018, ultimately leading to many fans making the character a part of Black culture.
Chadwick graduated from Howard University in 2000 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts and attended the British American Dramatic Academy at Oxford before starting his acting career. He returned to his alma mater as a commencement speaker for the class of 2018.
In 2016, he was diagnosed with stage III colon cancer, and after a four-year battle with the disease, he passed away on August 28, 2020, at the age of 43.
Roberta Flack
Grammy Award-winning musician Roberta earned a music scholarship to attend HU at the young age of 15 and would graduate in 1958 with a Bachelor of Music Education. She is a classically trained musician with famous hits like “The First Time I Ever Saw Your Face,” “Where Is the Love,” “Killing Me Softly With His Song,” and many more. In 1999, she received a star on the legendary Walk of Fame in Hollywood for her illustrious music career.
In 2005, Roberta founded the Roberta Flack School of Music in New York City, which provides educational initiatives to underserved students. In 2010, she established the Roberta Flack Foundation, which supports music education and various social issues as part of her humanitarian efforts.
Toni Morrison
Chloe Anthony Wofford Morrison, famously known as Toni Morrison, was a novelist, teacher, and editor. She graduated from HU in 1953 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in English and a minor in Classics. She would later return to her alma mater as an English professor for seven years. During her tenure, she became involved in a writer’s group, which led to the start of her writing career.
In 1993, she became the first African American woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize in Literature. Toni was known for her poetic prose when she wrote about Black experiences within the community. Her most notable works include The Bluest Eye (her first novel), Sula, Song of Solomon, and Beloved.
Toni passed away at age 88 on August 5, 2019.
Taraji P. Henson
Taraji is a Golden Globe Award-winning actress, author, entrepreneur, producer, and mental health advocate. Known for her breakout role in the 2001 film Baby Boy, as well as her roles in Hustle & Flow, Hidden Figures, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, and as “Cookie Lyon” on the famous TV show Empire, Taraji studied theater at Howard, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Drama in 1995.
In 2018, the actress founded The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation, a nonprofit organization that aims to change the narrative of mental illness in the Black community.
Phylicia Rashad
If you watch 80s sitcoms, you might be familiar with actress, singer, and stage director Phylicia Rashad. She is well-known for her award-winning role as “Clair Huxtable” on The Cosby Show. She also is known for performances in Dreamgirls, The Wiz, The Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, and Creed. Phylicia has won several awards, including a Tony Award for Best Actress, two NAACP Image Awards for Best Actress, and an award for Outstanding Actress in a TV show.
At Howard, she studied theater and graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1970. She would later take on her first apprentice role at Negro Ensemble Company, Inc. (a theater company) in New York City before starting her astounding acting career.
“Howard University affords not only a structure, but a foundation as well, for the human being. As a student you would always feel your connection to the legacy of the institution. You don’t feel a part of that legacy, but in truth you are. From the time you enter, you become a part of this living legacy that is Howard University.” - Phylicia Rashad
Thinking about going to Howard University?
If you're in high school, it's a great time to start thinking about your future. Maybe HU interests you, or maybe you're interested in all the HBCUs.
With a free Appily account, you'll access information about colleges and universities, including tuition costs, scholarship opportunities, application deadlines, and acceptance rates. You can even get curated lists of colleges that would be perfect for you- just by sharing your GPA and test scores.
Start planning your college journey now by clicking the button below. You'll unlock the resources you need to make informed decisions about your education!
