The Hilltop

The Hilltop Official account of Howard University's Student Newspaper. The Student Voice of Howard University Si Metro area.

Located in the heart of Northwest Washington, D.C., The Hilltop at Howard University remains on the forefront of campus, local, and national news. University owned and student operated, The Hilltop, with a print circulation of 9,000 and a daily online publication, is committed to providing critical and enlightening news to the Howard University community and the Washington, D.C.

VARIETY | As the sun set Sunday evening, hundreds of festival-goers gathered at RFK Festival Grounds. The hum of drums a...
09/13/2025

VARIETY | As the sun set Sunday evening, hundreds of festival-goers gathered at RFK Festival Grounds. The hum of drums and guitar filled the air as a summer breeze swept through the crowd. Cheers erupted when AfroBeats star Asake opened his set at the first-ever Afro+Fest.

Held over Labor Day weekend, Afro+Fest drew thousands of attendees from across the globe. Announced on June 4 via Instagram, the festival was promoted as a celebration of African culture through performances in AfroBeats, Dancehall and R&B.

Founded by Michael Awosanya, Afro+ has organized concerts and events for nearly a decade, collaborating with artists such as Burna Boy, Tiwa Savage and Adekunle Gold. The organization, named in 2022, aims to promote cultural celebration, community engagement and networking across the diaspora in the DMV.

By Labor Day weekend, anticipation had built. Afro+Fest featured an Afro-cuisine Food Village, a marketplace of local businesses and immersive brand activations, offering attendees a multifaceted look at the diaspora.

As the night ended, attendees shared their experiences on social media. Some creators expressed frustration with late set times and schedule delays. TikTok user@Bahjueriri criticized the timing, while another, Maryam Adebisi, posted a video showing general admission ticket holders pushing through the VIP gate.

Daniella Nmesoma, a second-year computer science major from Nigeria, attended Afro+Fest and said these aspects didn’t hurt her experience.

“People were able to slip into VIP, but that happens everywhere,” Nmesoma said. “From their social media page, it seems that they put a lot of effort into planning the event. I think the artists themselves were unorganized, and sometimes they’re just not going to play by the rules. I think people need to accept what they experienced and still be thankful.”

🔗 Click the link in our bio to read more on how D.C’s first ever Afro+Fest brought African culture to life with a diverse lineup of performers and audiences from all around the world.

✍🏽: Naomi Jeffries
📸: Photo courtesy of Richard “Richie.raw” Myaing .raw

NEWS | Washington, DCIn an executive order last week, Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser announced that the district ...
09/12/2025

NEWS | Washington, DC

In an executive order last week, Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser announced that the district will continue using federal law enforcement even after President Donald Trump’s federal takeover of the city expires. 

The mayor credited a decrease in violent crime over the last month to the collaboration between the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) and federal officials. 

While crime has fallen in Washington since the federal occupation began, data about crime in the city was already in line with the previous year’s decrease in crime, according to an article from Verite News.

With Trump’s “crime emergency” set to expire on Sept. 10, Bowser confirmed that the Safe and Beautiful Emergency Operations Center (SBEOC) will continue to coordinate and communicate with various federal agencies such as the U.S. Marshall Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) to plan post-emergency operations and share resources. 

While Trump approved of Bower’s decision to continue cooperation with federal law enforcement, Washington, D.C., natives and non-profit organizations have spoken out against continued federal intervention. 

In response to the executive order, Free DC — a non-profit organization that advocates for home rule within the district — released a short statement of disapproval. 

“With her executive decision on September 2, Mayor Muriel Bowser showed us all a clear choice about whose side she’s on — and it’s not D.C.’s,” the statement said.

🔗 Click the link in our bio to read more on the Mayor’s continued collaboration with federal law enforcement comes weeks after President Trump’s deployment of the National Guard in Washington.

✍🏽: Logan Richberg
📸: Photo courtesy of Lorie Shaull via Wikimedia Commons

SPORTS | As part of their “HBCU & Divine 9 Night,” the Washington Mystics held a special pregame panel. The discussion, ...
09/12/2025

SPORTS | As part of their “HBCU & Divine 9 Night,” the Washington Mystics held a special pregame panel. 

The discussion, titled “Power in the District,” featured seven HBCU and Divine Nine women leaders in sports at Sycamore & Oak last Thursday. The event attracted students, professors, Divine Nine members and sports fans from all over the DMV for an evening full of insights on how to navigate the white dominated field of sports.

The conversation began with panelists explaining why they chose an HBCU instead of a Power 5 school, “which are more encouraged for individuals who plan to pursue a career in sports,” according to moderator Jaycee Ruffin, who is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and a graduate of Elizabeth City State University. 

“I didn’t know that I was going to end up majoring in sports management and becoming this woman who’s in this position now, but a lot of that is thanks to the community that I had at my HBCU,” said Paige Price, a 2020 Hampton graduate and social media creator for the Washington Spirit. 

Ashleigh Hazley was the only panelist who didn’t attend an HBCU. However, Hazley is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and said she was the first “q***r masculine-presenting” member to cross in Kentucky. 

Facing the intersectionality of being Black, q***r and a woman while working in baseball, a white-dominated field, Hazley credits her drive to work hard to her experience of being in a Divine Nine organization. 

“My primary advisor wasn’t gonna let me put anything out if they didn’t have her stamp of approval. She was also our regional director, so if it didn’t look a certain kind of way, then we weren’t doing it,” said Hazley, senior director of youth programming for the Washington Nationals. “I think bringing that level of excellence in my place of work is a direct tie to remembering to cross those Ts and dot the I’s. That’s been something that’s been able to help me elevate throughout my career.”

🔗Click the link in our bio to read more on The Washington Mystics holding a pregame panel featuring HBCU alumnae and members of the Divine Nine.

✍🏾: Tanbrance Berry
📸: Tanbrance Berry/The Hilltop

CAMPUS | The start of a new month brought a new leader to Howard University, as former president Wayne A.I. Frederick, r...
09/12/2025

CAMPUS | 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 searched for a permanent successor.

On the morning of his third day back, he met with student leaders to answer their questions — including the 49th Mister and the 87th Miss Howard University, undergraduate and graduate student government representatives and the Editor-in-Chief of The Hilltop.

The following has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Frederick declined to comment on any matters related to former President Ben Vinson III, Ph.D. stepping down, saying he didn’t know the details and did not want to speculate. However, Frederick did have a message about his time as interim president.

“This is my second time being interim, so I’ve been here before. And last time I didn’t spend time on what happened, I tried to spend time on how to move forward. That time I was encouraged to apply for the job, this time that’s not gonna happen. Dr. Frederick is not a candidate to be 19, he’ll be 17 Prime. That’s it. There’s no 19 involved here.”

🔗 Click the link in our bio to read more.

✍🏽: Sydney Goitia-Doran
📸: Gabrielle Moore-Lee/The Hilltop

CAMPUS | The start of a new month brought a new leader to Howard University, as former president Wayne A.I. Frederick, P...
09/12/2025

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

On the morning of his third day back, he met with student leaders to answer their questions — including the 87th Mister and Miss Howard University, undergraduate and graduate student government representatives and the Editor-in-Chief of The Hilltop.

The following has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Frederick declined to comment on any matters related to former President Ben Vinson III, Ph.D. stepping down, saying he didn’t know the details and did not want to speculate. However, Frederick did have a message about his time as interim president.

“This is my second time being interim, so I’ve been here before. And last time I didn’t spend time on what happened, I tried to spend time on how to move forward. That time I was encouraged to apply for the job, this time that’s not gonna happen. Dr. Frederick is not a candidate to be 19, he’ll be 17 Prime. That’s it. There’s no 19 involved here.”

🔗 Click the link in our bio to read more.

✍🏽: Sydney Goitia-Doran

This week we discuss how the removal of food options such as Chipotle, Subway, and Negril from campus affects Howard stu...
09/10/2025

This week we discuss how the removal of food options such as Chipotle, Subway, and Negril from campus affects Howard students, take a look into food insecurity on campus, and try to find solutions. 

Tune in wherever you get your podcast!

Host and executive producer: Zion Williams
Producers: Yacine Ba, Tatiana Allen

🔗: https://open.spotify.com/show/1EfUH4KHkpokVJpbccbiJW?si=zMXrUzzfS0aJhO7i6ofvQw

CAMPUS | A student from Maryland was arrested near campus and charged with two crimes.This story is ongoing and will be ...
09/09/2025

CAMPUS | A student from Maryland was arrested near campus and charged with two crimes.

This story is ongoing and will be updated as more information becomes available.

✍🏽: Myla Roundy
📸: Photo courtesy of cliff1066 via Wikimedia Commons

The Hilltop is working to fix problems with our website so we can continue to deliver this week’s news to the community....
09/09/2025

The Hilltop is working to fix problems with our website so we can continue to deliver this week’s news to the community. Thank you for your continued patience and support.

NEWS | Washington, DCPresident Donald Trump signed an executive order directing the U.S. attorney general, Pam Bondi, to...
09/05/2025

NEWS | Washington, DC

President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing the U.S. attorney general, Pam Bondi, to prosecute anyone who burns or desecrates the American flag. This passage raised immediate concerns among free speech advocates.

The order, Prosecuting Burning of The American Flag, was signed on Aug. 25, and says the American flag is the most cherished and sacred symbol of freedom, identity and strength in the United States.

The Trump administration described the desecration of the American flag “as uniquely offensive and provocative.” The order characterizes it as a statement of contempt against the political union that preserves U.S. citizen’s rights, liberty and security.

Constitutionally, flag burning is considered a right of free speech. 

In a 1989 case, Texas v. Johnson, the Supreme Court decided the burning of the U.S. flag is a form of symbolic speech and a right protected by the First Amendment of the Constitution. 

Free speech attorneys, such as Brian Hauss, cite the 5-4 ruling as protection and right to free expression even while politically charged and offensive to some.

The order called for Bondi to litigate the challenge to the 1989 ruling in an attempt to get the issue back in front of the Supreme Court. On Monday, Trump described the court behind the ruling a “very sad court.”

Richard Seltzer, a political science and international studies professor at Howard University who holds a doctorate in history, opposes the executive order. 

“It’s a constitutional right even if it’s a stupid thing to do and it’s still their right to do it,” Seltzer said.

Though the executive branch is supposed to have shared power when inciting laws into action because of the balancing between the legislative and judicial branches, those efforts have shown to be futile in the midst of the current administration.

🔗 Click the link in our bio to read more about
how First Amendment rights were brought into question after President Donald Trump passed a directive cracking down on the desecration of the U.S. flag.

✍🏽: Israel Johnson
📸: Photo courtesy of 沈军 贡 via Adobe Stock

VARIETY | With notable alumni and a reputation as a cornerstone of the Black community, many people want to represent Ho...
09/05/2025

VARIETY | With notable alumni and a reputation as a cornerstone of the Black community, many people want to represent Howard, even those outside of the institution. This demand has created opportunities for Howard to collaborate with brands that strengthen the university’s visibility and extend its cultural influence.

Recently, Black College Grad collaborated with Howard students to promote its products online. The partnership sparked conversation among students about whether the items are affordable for the audience the collaboration targeted.

Tyrone McDuffie, a senior finance major from Brooklyn, New York, said he would not purchase the Black College Grad sweater and feels many bookstore items are overpriced.

As a business owner, McDuffie said he understands companies seek profit and return on investment. Still, he believes students should explore other outlets to find products that fit their budget.

“When I specifically want some Howard apparel, I would start outsourcing, looking on Amazon or someone else, just for some cheaper options,” McDuffie said.

Dr. Elka M. Stevens, coordinator of the fashion design program in the Department of Art at the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts, said Howard apparel’s availability across platforms gives consumers more options.

“We have choice as a consumer,” Stevens said. “We can make that purchase. We have that range. And in many ways, retail becomes just a democratic process in terms of access.”

As more brands collaborate with Howard, consumers will continue weighing price, quality and cultural value when deciding whether to buy.

🔗 Click the link in our bio to read more about how The Howard brand grows with each clothing collaboration however, some students are questioning the accessibility of the products.

✍🏽: Taylor Swinton
📸: Zoie Prandy/The Hilltop

CAMPUS | The Howard University Elections Commission held a public press conference in the Armour J. Blackburn University...
09/04/2025

CAMPUS | The Howard University Elections Commission held a public press conference in the Armour J. Blackburn University Center’s ballroom last Friday. Despite sparse attendance from the student body, the commission shared its commitment to transparency and accessibility to Howard students. 

The new commission banded together after the spring election season when the entire team was removed by the 64th Howard University Student Association (HUSA) President, Jay Jones. 

HUSA’s inaugural press secretary, Ssanyu Lukoma, opened the event with a speech highlighting the long-term impact the new elections commission hopes to inspire in Howard elections. 

Last spring’s election commission was removed over concerns from HUSA leadership about how the election was being handled, after various allegations of improper campaigning laid out by Howard University Elections Code. Specifically, there were concerns about the commission not being managed in accordance with established protocols and their subpar communication to both candidates and the student body. 

“We can’t just move forward without confronting the past. The problems we saw last year weren’t just the failures of one person,” Lukoma said. “They were a result of a culture that normalized the wrong things; back-room deals, exploitation and barriers that shut out opportunity, and that culture ends now.” 

The new commission did not go into specific actions that led to the former commission’s removal, but were clear in their admonishment toward the last commission. Jae’Dyn Smith used his press conference time to reassure the student body that election concerns were a thing of the past.

🔗 Click the link in our bio to read more on the newly instated Howard University Elections Commission’s press conference discussing transparency, accessibility and fairness.
✍🏽: Indigo Mays
📸: Sydney Goitia-Doran/The Hilltop

Address

Washington D.C., DC

Telephone

+12028064749

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when The Hilltop posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to The Hilltop:

Shortcuts

Share

Category