Howard University has a rich culture of getting loose and having fun after the homework is done. Following the lives of Alesha Cesar, Chance McGee, The Collective, Rebel Events, and Goon Squad Events, we got a small glimpse into what partying like a Bison actually looks like—including all the chaotic, messy details that go with it. 

The room is hot, and a light haze fills the air. Colored lights drape the walls. There’s barely space to move through the vibrant crowd. Some are drunk. Some are getting ready to twerk to Sexyy Red’s “Looking For the Hoes,” and some are just there because they were dragged out of the dorms. 

Homecoming week is THE week to attend an HBCU with university-sponsored and off-campus after parties jam-packed into each day for those who are the life of the party.

“Last year, that was my first homecoming. I was able to see so many people. I felt like those that are off campus, Howard alum, like everybody, was just celebrating, enjoying the vibe all together in the same space,” junior Alesha Cesar recounted. 

Everyone has their preferred way to party. Cesar starts with a pre-game, music blaring, and Ciroc flowing—the perfect atmosphere to get ready for a day party, better known as a ‘darty’ in party culture.

“I like darties just because it's typically on a nice day. Everyone's out after classes. Everybody's trying to rush and get to see each other. ” Cesar described. 

Much of Howard’s social structure revolves around parties, so much so that some students were attracted to the University because of its nightlife. 

Chance McGee, a graduating senior, is no stranger to a good time and had no problem integrating into the nightlife scene. 

“I had heard that Howard is like a top party school too, and being from New Orleans, I know how to party,” said the Louisiana native.

While partying is all about having fun, McGee emphasizes safety and surrounding yourself with good people when out on the town.  

“Safety really comes first in all of this because so much can happen, and it's just really important to have people around that just really are ok, like will really help you out whenever you're down,” McGee added. 

There is always something to do at Howard, whether it’s Zebbie’s Garden Thursdays or Abigail Fridays, thanks to local party promoters who are the backbone of Howard’s party scene. 

From curating a theme to finding a venue to ensuring music and security are squared away, promoters coordinate and see all the elements of a party through.  

The Collective, Rebel Events, and Goon Squad Events are Howard’s top student-led promotion groups that operate solely to give students a college experience to remember.  But it doesn't come without its pressure. 

“It's really customer service based like we're more so like hosted by students and we're very interactive. We’ll talk to anyone —we're in UGL [Undergraduate Library] right now getting mixey and just talking,” said Reginald Alexander, a member of Rebel Events. 

While the main goal is student entertainment, party promoters are also entrepreneurs. Cameron Patterson and Alani ‘Doobie’ Hodge started The Collective to establish a professional presence in the nightlife world. 

“It was harder to get clubs to take them seriously because I feel like they thought it was just like, ‘Oh, she just trying to get in and DJ and collect the check.’ But then, when we started The Collective and started getting the analytics and stuff. It just kind of showed them that we were more about the business of nightlife and not just having fun and being in college. ” Hodge explained.

In this business, issues occur all the time, oftentimes leaving party promoters with the short end of the stick.

Dominic Harold, a member of Goon Squad Events., stays grounded through the ups and downs by remembering why he's doing it.

“It can get very draining, trying to do parties for other people. I see it as a way to push my creative outlet and put it in a way where other people can enjoy it,” Harold shared.

The party culture at Howard lives on through its students and is fueled by a passion for having fun and safely connecting with fellow Bison.