WASHINGTON – Howard University’s Homecoming has been named the “Most Searched Homecoming” in the United States, according to data gathered by internet technology company Google, over the past 15 years. Google released its findings of the study in a commercial celebrating Black History Month, highlighting Black icons, events and movements that were the most searched through Google web search. Titled, “The Most Searched,” the 90-second advertisement premiered during the 2020 Grammy Awards, featuring an impressive list of Black Americans representing every category, including Beyoncé’s 2018 Coachella appearance as “most searched performance” to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s I Have A Dream as the “most searched speech.” According to Google, along with the “most searched homecoming” recognition, Howard University also holds the title of most searched Historically Black College or University (HBCU), in the United States. 

“As a member of the Howard University family – first, as a student, and now, as president – it is an incredible feeling to know that Howard University and our world-renowned Homecoming celebration are both top picks for those searching to enhance their education or those wanting to experience the camaraderie of Homecoming for themselves,” says Howard University President Wayne A. I. Frederick. “We are honored to be among the celebrated iconic moments and places featured in Google’s Black History Month campaign. This is a great way to start the year and we look forward to continuing this trend as we enhance our level of truth and service during the next decade.”

Those familiar with Howard Homecoming often point to the sounds of the SHOWTIME Marching Band, as the drumbeat of the week and an indication that Homecoming is well underway. Google shared the same sentiments, leading the campaign producers to utilize a video clip of the SHOWTIME Marching Band as the featured image for Howard University Homecoming. With Google’s latest ad seen by the more than 18 million viewers who watched the 62^nd Grammy Awards, according to the Hollywood Reporter, SHOWTIME Marching Band Director Kelvin Washington says the recognition is very much appreciated.

"We are honored that Google selected the SHOWTIME Marching Band to represent Howard University,” says Washington. “We pride ourselves on being an excellent visual representation of this great institution. Our band members and staff work year-round to design and execute stellar performances for various events and venues. Our goal is to continue to strive for performance opportunities that will feature SHOWTIME on a national and international stage."

The national attention on the band perfectly aligned with the band’s new fundraising campaign, which Washington says will refresh the band’s look. For more information and to make a donation, visit https://music.howard.edu. 

Held annually during the fall semester, Howard Homecoming welcomes graduates and their families back to campus for a week that honors Howard’s rich legacy, while looking ahead to future accomplishments and milestones to come. Homecoming features a variety of fan-favorite events, including the Greek Step Show, Student Fashion Show and Yardfest, a lively free music festival held on Howard’s main Yard. The team that is responsible for planning and executing the Nation’s most searched homecoming is already hard at work preparing to make the 2020 festivities the best homecoming yet. 

“Months prior to the arrival of thousands of our alumni, family and friends, our team is working with University leaders, students, trustees and the local community to effectively maintain the consistency of Howard Homecoming – as well as including residents and city leaders to ensure all are represented in the planning process,” says Andrew Rivers, director of University Events and Protocol. “Each event throughout the week is carefully tailored around a theme which encompasses the energy of the University. Howard’s location as the anchor one of the District’s most diverse and vibrant communities allows for an unmatched annual celebration that has always gathering Bison, near and far, for generations to come.”

The Google Search advertisement also announced a $3 million grant to support the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People’s (NAACP) Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics (ACT-SO) program, which provides a platform for Black high school students to kickstart their journeys to becoming leaders in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), along with humanities, business and the arts. For more information on Google’s grant to the NAACP, and a link to Google’s latest ad, visit https://about.google/stories/most-searched-black-history-month/.

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Photograph above: Howard University Homecoming Tailgate, 2019

ABOUT HOWARD UNIVERSITY

Founded in 1867, Howard University is a private, research university that is comprised of 13 schools and colleges. Students pursue studies in more than 120 areas leading to undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University operates with a commitment to Excellence in Truth and Service and has produced one Schwarzman Scholar, three Marshall Scholars, four Rhodes Scholars, 11 Truman Scholars, 25 Pickering Fellows and more than 70 Fulbright Scholars. Howard also produces more on-campus African American Ph.D. recipients than any other university in the United States. For more information on Howard University, visit www.howard.edu.

Media contact: Ramzey Smith, Office of University Communications, ramzey.smith@howard.edu