From the Nominator

In 2023, two significant events occurred at Howard University, warranting special editions of our print versions: one dedicated to our retiring president, the other to hip-hop's 50th anniversary. (These spanned two school years, with a regular digital-only edition in between.) President Wayne A. I. Frederick came to Howard in 1988 as an undergrad from Trinidad and Tobago and worked his way through medical school, then as a professor, and eventually as provost and president. He started his presidency in 2014 when the university was plagued with financial distress, low enrollment, dire renovation needs, and personnel issues. He left Howard in secure financial health and with higher ratings and record enrollment. We hired renowned White House photographer, Pete Souza, to capture intimate portraits of him, rather than use the traditional grip-and-grin photos from campus events. This special edition looked at his legacy as a student, professor, physician, president, and friend of Howard University. For the hip-hop issue, we focused on Howard's role in hip-hop through the decades. Howard provided a platform for many up-and-coming hip-hop artists, both at its campus radio station and at its famed homecoming "Yardfest." In the 1990s, the "hip-hop conference" became an annual occurrence, with a reunion held this summer. The university also offers hip-hop studies, a hip-hop minor, and a center for the music business. For this issue, we examined the changes in the campus environment in parallel with the cultural and political climates of the time nationwide. Both magazine issues have been widely treasured by our readers.

From the Judges

A very engaging and compulsively readable magazine that fits together beautifully and invites the reader in. Kudos for content and design aspects as well!