Jordan (BA ’23) is a political science major with a strategic communications minor. Serving as the 2022-2023 CASCADE president, Jordan is passionate about continuing to celebrate, uplift and advocate for all LGBTQ+ students on campus.

Q: What is CASCADE?

A: CASCADE, formerly known as the Coalition of Activist Students Celebrating the Acceptance of Diversity and Equality, is Howard University’s official undergraduate LGBTQ+ student organization representing all schools and colleges. We are the oldest and largest LGBTQ+ organization on an HBCU campus.

Q: What is CASCADE’s mission?

A: To promote awareness, encourage understanding, and increase the acceptance of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer students (LGBTQ+), faculty and staff at Howard University and the families and friends who love them. We seek to educate the University community about the history and current status of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, queer, transgender and heterosexual (hereafter known as ally) communities, and to celebrate the diversity thereof. We shall provide comfort, compassion, strength and safety to our fellow gay, lesbian, bisexual, queer, transgender and ally siblings and celebrate their identities.

Q: Who is welcome to join CASCADE?

Everyone passionate about celebrating and accepting the LGBTQ+ community at Howard is welcomed and encouraged to join. CASCADE is safe space for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer students and their allies.

Q: How do I join CASCADE?

A: You can join CASCADE by simply showing up! Come out to our events, engage on our social media pages, and join our community chat to stay connected with LGBTQ+ students. 
 

Q: Does CASCADE have social media handles?

A: Yes, you can follow us on Instagram (@Cascade_HU) and on Twitter (@CascadeHU)! 

Q: What events or activities does CASCADE have? What is your favorite?

A: Our programming varies between mixers for LGBTQ+ students to meet each other to hosting educational events to further the visibility of our queer Bison. My personal favorite event is the annual As Queer As It Is Black Conference, which serves to educate and mobilize faculty, staff, students and community members towards intersectional LGBTQ+ change. This year’s conference covered topics such as the importance of allyship, the progression of Howard University, transcending beyond discrimination and existing while being Black and queer. 

Q: Any tips on how to support LGBTQ+ students (aka how to be an ally)?

A: The most important step to being a good ally is showing up. Many people who support LGBTQ+ students engage with them very minimally or only attend one event out of the entire year. It’s important for the entire Howard community to attend events, educate themselves through reading LGBTQ+ authors and testimonies, talk to CASCADE leaders, and ask questions and keep the conversation going. Allyship shouldn’t start and end with one conversation.

To learn more about CASCADE, contact cascadehu@gmail.com.