WASHINGTON – Howard University has announced “Being Mary Jane” and “Power” actor Omari Hardwick will serve as host of the Howard University 2020 Virtual Yardfest on Saturday, Oct. 17 at 7 p.m. EDT. Additional announcements about musical artists and other featured celebrities are forthcoming. This year’s event is presented by sponsors Mountain Dew and GEICO. 

For links to Virtual Yardfest, vist  https://homecoming.howard.edu

Hardwick has had numerous roles in TV shows and movies, including “Saved” and “Dark Blue” on television and the films “Miracle at St. Anna” by Spike Lee, “The A-Team,” and “For Colored Girls by Tyler Perry.” Hardwick performed the role of Andre in the BET Network’s “Being Mary Jane,” and he was James “Ghost” St. Patrick on the Starz’s series “Power.”

Hardwick was raised in Decatur, Ga., where he grew up writing poetry and playing sports. He was a football player at the University of Georgia. After graduation, Hardwick initially pursued a career in professional football before turning to acting. He struggled for a time before finally getting a break in the 2004 television movie “Sucker Free City.”

As Yardfest host, Hardwick will be assisted by his niece, Ravyn Hardwick, a Howard University broadcast journalism junior. Immediately following the concert, Mountain Dew will present a panel on entrepreneurship and “Bison Tank,” a live competition-style segment where Howard University students will present ideas and innovations to celebrity judges.

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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 165 Fulbright recipients. 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.