leader Benjamin L. Hooks before becoming the first Black assistant U.S. attorney for the Western District of Missouri. He later founded Larry Coleman Law Office, where he embraced the role of a “comprehensive attorney,” pursuing justice across civil rights, criminal defense, and family law for over 30 years. Janaya Hampton (B.A. ’17) D: JUNE 21, 2025, NEW ORLEANS, LA Born November 30, 1994, in New Orleans, Louisiana, Hampton graduated from St. Mary’s Dominican High School, summa cum laude, where she’d been a member of the Varsity Volleyball Team, National Honor Society, and Mu Alpha Theta. Upon graduation, she was awarded academic and athletic scholarships to attend Howard University, where she continued to excel in volleyball as a member of the HU volleyball team, which won back-to-back Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) championships. A member of Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) Sorority Inc., she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in media, journalism and film communication with a minor in graphic design in 2017, before embarking on her dreams to be a fashion designer in Los Angeles. Opal Marie Brown Hyde (FH DIP N ’52 ) D: APRIL 3, 2025, SILVER SPRING, MARYLAND An advocate for civil rights and women’s leadership, Opal Marie Brown co-founded the D.C. chapter of The Links Inc., and worked to integrate national golf clubs. She attended Howard University’s Freedmen’s Hospital School of Nursing, becoming a registered nurse.
In Memoriam FOREVER A LIGHT OF TRUTH AND SERVICE
In Their Shoes
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE WITH A PREDOMINATELY BLACK CAST?
Mbye Cham, Faculty D: AUGUST 29, 2025, USA Professor Mbye Cham, Ph.D., joined Howard in 1980 and would go on to dedicate his 40-year scholarly and teaching career to the institution. As the founding director of the Center for African Studies , Dr. Cham was instrumental in shaping the academic landscape of African studies at Howard. Described as a pioneer filmmaker and professor of African Literature and Film, Dr. Cham was also a renowned author and editor, not to mention a mentor and friend to many. Originally from The Gambia, he earned degrees from Temple University (B.A., French), State University of New York at Buffalo (M.A., French), and the University of Wisconsin (Ph.D.). Rev. Dr. Larry D. Coleman (B.A. ’73, J.D. ’76) D: MAY 9, 2025, KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI While earning both his undergraduate and law degrees from Howard University, Dr. Coleman served as editor- in-chief of the student-led newspaper, “The Hilltop.” He discovered his passion for writing, justice, and service during this time, and often said Howard gave him not just a degree, but also an identity. He’d go on to begin his legal career clerking for civil rights
Zion Murphy (MFA candidate, film) “Daughters of the Dust”
“‘Daughters of the Dust’ represents a truly Black cinematic experience. Julie Dash’s nonlinear story concerned with diasporic and ancestral struggles coupled with the poetic, dream-like images captured by Arthur Jafa provide audiences with the rare sensation of authentic Black film.”
Chat McDuffie (MFA candidate, film) “Sinners”
“I was particularly drawn to ‘Sinners’ because of my ties to the Deep South. I am obsessed with Southern Gothic films and their ability to take historical elements and blend them with horror and other supernatural elements. I loved it so much that I went to see it three times in the movie theater!”
Awura Osei (MFA candidate, film) “The Wood”
“What I love most about [‘The Wood’] are the flashbacks of their tales in brotherhood as they came of age. The storytelling felt like a reading from pages from Mike’s journal recounting memories from the actual wedding day and their Inglewood upbringing during their teenage years. These anecdotes have brought so many iconic lines that I often quote today — and the bond they shared on screen felt so real and genuine — it made me feel like I truly experienced these stories alongside the three friends turned brothers.” “The plot in ‘Uptown Saturday Night’ (1974) is almost straight from The Flintstones: Working-class schmoes Steve Jackson (Sidney Poitier) and Wardell Jackson (Bill Cosby) go on a night on the town at speakeasy Madame Zenobia’s, but unfortunately, bandits rob the place. Worse, there’s a winning lottery ticket in Steve’s stolen wallet, leading to genial tomfoolery as he and Wardell try to get it back. “Uptown Saturday Night” has a who’s who of top Black talent, including Rosalind Cash, Flip Wilson, Lee Chamberlin, the ever-erudite Roscoe Lee Browne, Harold Nicholas, and Paula Kelly. The laughs come steady as the suspense builds over whether Steve and Wardell can get what they need without the crooks — or Steve and Wardell’s wives — figuring out what they’re really after. Harry Belafonte spoofs “The Godfather’s” Vito Corleone, and Richard Pryor nearly steals the whole show in his one scene. Alas, it’s necessary to lament what we now know of Cosby the man, but he and Poitier are a great screen duo in a very funny film.” Kelvin Childs (Development Writer, Alumni Relations) “Uptown Saturday Night”
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Howard Magazine
Fall 2025
Fall 2025
Howard Magazine
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