O, to be a Howard student in the spring! Howard University in the springtime is arguably one of the best times to be on campus. The Yard begins to become beautifully colored with new greenery, the Greek organizations have released their newest pledges, students and families are touring the campus, and the seniors are preparing for graduation.

One of the most notable weeks of events of any spring at Howard is Springfest, a culmination of joy, celebration, and final memories with college friends. This year’s Springfest theme was “Made in the Mecca.” From April 13 to 19, the Undergraduate Student Association (UGSA) produced a series of events capturing the essence of Howard’s culture, legacy, and what it means to be “Made in the Mecca.”

In Truth & Talent

Many of Howard’s student performers gathered Tuesday, April 15, at Cramton Auditorium for the annual Springfest Talent Showcase. The talent show is one of highlights of the Springfest week, giving attendees a true taste of the Mecca. Howard student-creatives are an important part of the university’s legacy as a center for Black people and culture. 

“Howard put me around other creatives and other people with my same mindset,” shared recurring Springfest Talent Showcase performer William Bradley II, aka OMG Banko. “It put me outside of my comfort zone of just making what I thought music should sound like. Being surrounded by so many different creatives in the community inspired me to hone and work on my craft.”

Bradley’s comments underscore the value in the creative community provided by Howard as the Mecca. The university provides a space for evolution and growth of the new age of artists and creatives. Highlighting the artist community of the student body during Springfest shines light on Howard’s past, present, and future as a cultural hotspot for creativity. 

“SOULSCAPE” Springfest 2025 Fashion Show 

Howard is and continues to be fashion forward. Whether you are on the Yard, in class, or in Blackburn Café, the Bison are going to show up and show out. The Springfest Fashion Show continues to reinforce the power of community, creativity, and intention around fashion at Howard. This year’s fashion show, “Soulscape,” provided an eye-catching combination of style, spice, and soul. 

The looks of the show did not fail to stun the crowd, from the fierce and fabulous makeup to the intricately detailed and coordinated outfits. Along with the models, there is a beautiful community of Howard student-creatives behind the scenes who worked tirelessly to bring this show to life. 

Jeremiah Shade, graduating senior media management major, was the co-head of styling for Soulscape. As a member of the ELITE modeling organization, the first modeling organization at Howard, Shade assisted in the oversight of all styling related to the show, from marketing to the actual looks that walked the runway. “As a senior being a head of styling, it was kind of like a good crown jewel on my journey at Howard,” he commented, “I think the best part about being in creative communities is that you’re always feeding off of each other’s ideas. Even though I was a head, I was still learning and getting inspired from the people under me.” 

To be made in the Mecca is to be developed as a leader. As Shade and the many others who helped bring this week to life demonstrate, leadership requires persistence, grit, and endurance — all of which is instilled in Howard students through their matriculation at the university. Inspiration runs through the Howard hallways and rings throughout the campus, and the greatest source of this inspiration continues to be the students our Bison grow alongside during their journey. 

The Main Event | The Springfest Concert

The Springfest Concert is the most highly anticipated event of the week. Featuring big name artists like Cash Cobain and friends, Hunxho, Young Nudy, and Mariah the Scientist, UGSA did not come to play with this spring’s lineup. The openers for the concert were graduating senior Phyllise “Phyllise Jade” Tolliver and Springfest Talent Showcase winner and junior Me’Kayla “Me’Kayla Chenai” Rothmiller. 

“I wanted to showcase how I learned how to be myself and have a great time,” Phyllise said when asked about the message she hoped her final performance conveyed. “I felt like on the Springfest stage, not only did I showcase how lyrics and words could change and impact our culture; I also showcased the personality that I’ve come to have in college. It is confident and who I’ve worked hard to become, and I just laid it out on the stage.” Howard University reaches the passion in the hearts of our Bison and encourages commitment and excellence to any and everything students put their minds to. 

Made in the Mecca 

As spring turns to summer, Bison will go and baby Bison will come, all the while knowing that Howard will and always be home base. The Mecca has been attributed to Howard University due to its ability to gather masses of Black people and culture and unite them on common interests and passions. Those who gather on the Hilltop later go out into the world and share the love, light, truth, and excellence gained from being at Howard. 

So, many may be wondering, what does it truly mean to be “Made in the Mecca?” Here is what some of our graduating Class of 2025 had to say: 

“To me, it just means everything that encompasses Howard. Being at Howard taught me so much and I can honestly use all the skills that I learned here in my life and in my postgrad opportunities. I am made in Howard, and so much of me is Howard now.” – To’Niya Richardson, nursing major from Louisville, Kentucky

“When I hear “Made in the Mecca,” I think about the Black leaders and creatives who have come from the Mecca. It describes my journey because I am also a Black leader, and being a part of the Mecca has helped me learn my place as a Black sociologist and as a Black person fighting for freedom.” – William Bradley II, sociology major Political Science minor from Atlanta, Georgia