The 2026 Howard University’s Charter Day marks the 159th year since the institution's founding. As the university celebrates its extraordinary history, it also recognizes the ongoing impact of the institution and its students, faculty, staff, and alumni around the world. As part of that recognition, the university will honor four transformative Howard alumni during the 102nd Charter Day Dinner on Saturday, March 7, 2026, for their extraordinary work to uplift communities across the globe. The 2026 honorees for the Alumni Award for Distinguished Postgraduate Achievement are Jelani Cobb (B.A. ’94), Herbert B. Dixon Jr. (BSEE ’70), Kamilah Forbes (BFA ’98), and James K. Fortson, MD (B.S. ’72).
- Charter Day Convocation (Free): Friday, March 6, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. in Cramton Auditorium
- Charter Day Dinner: Saturday, March 7, 2026 at 6 p.m. at the Marriott Marquis Washington DC. Purchase your Charter Day tickets.
Another extraordinary alumnus, Don Christian (BBA ’90), CPA, CISA, will serve as the Charter Day Convocation orator on Friday, March 6. He has been a dedicated member of Howard University’s Board of Trustees since 2018, serving as a committee chair and member of the executive committee. Now retired from PwC, Trustee Christian enjoyed a 36-year career with the firm, including service as a board member of PwC International and PwC US, lead client partner, regional and market leader, and consulting partner supporting organizations in business transformation, technology adoption, and risk management. A proud Howard alumnus, he earned a BBA in accounting from Howard and has completed executive education at Harvard Business School, Carnegie Mellon, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Trustee Christian is also the founding chairman of JHUAN Inc., which provides scholarships, mentorship, and other forms of support to Jamaican students at Howard University. His professional leadership and steadfast service reflect the values we seek to instill in every Howard graduate.
The Charter Day dinner will be hosted by Tony Award-winner Phylicia Rashad (BFA ’70), dean emerita of the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts (COFA), who added to her luster very recently by directing "Purpose," the 2025 Tony Award winner for Outstanding Broadway Play and Best Featured Actress in a Play. She also directed "Dangerous Acts: Howard University,” which won two 2024 New York Emmy Awards and, more recently, served as creative consultant for a production of Chadwick Boseman’s “Deep Azure” performed at Howard Theater in 2025 to raise funds for COFA.
Read more about the 2026 honorees for the Alumni Award for Distinguished Postgraduate Achievement:
Jelani Cobb (B.A. ’94)
Jelani Cobb is an acclaimed author, political analyst, university dean, editor and producer. His influential voice on race, culture, politics and social justice is frequently heard through many national platforms. From publications and commentary to film and documentaries, Cobb’s award-winning work uplifts and inspires a generation.
Herbert B. Dixon Jr. (BSEE ’70)
Herbert B. Dixon, Jr., is a senior judge on the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. As a nationally recognized leader, known as the “Technology Judge,” his decades-long career emphasizes the use of technology and leadership to empower people, strengthen communities, and promote justice.
Kamilah Forbes (BFA ’98)
Kamilah Forbes is the executive producer at The Apollo in Harlem, a historic landmark and cultural icon. As an award-winning director and producer for theater and television, she uses her talents and powerful influence to elevate hip-hop artists and communities on the national stage.
James K. Fortson, M.D. (B.S. ’72)
Dr. James K. Fortson is a noted expert throughout the Caribbean in otolaryngology, specializing in diagnosis and treatment of the ear, nose, throat, neck and head. His humanitarian medical service in Haiti, where he has performed life-saving operations, has saved hundreds of lives.
Keep Reading
-
LegacyBuilding the Mathematical Mecca: Howard’s Half‑Century of Innovation, Scholarship, and Leadership
Jan 29, 2026 7 minutes -
NewsFICO Invests in the Howard University and PNC Center for Entrepreneurship
Jan 28, 2026 3 minutes -
VanguardHoward University Gallery of Art Lends Elizabeth Catlett Works to Major Exhibition on Black Women’s Historical Memory
Jan 30, 2026 3 minutes