Inside the Howard University Symposium: What We Learned
What happened at our pilot event, what worked, and what we're taking into the next one.
On February 26, 2026, we held our first symposium at Howard University. It was a pilot, which means we came to learn as much as to host. Here's what stood out.
- Students came with real questions. The best moments weren't prepared remarks. They were students asking how someone actually got their first job.
- Proximity changes belief. Sitting a few feet from a professional who took a similar path makes a career feel reachable.
- The conversation has to continue. A panel is a start. Students wanted contacts, follow-ups, and a way to keep going, which is why mentorship is central to what we build next.
- Keep it personal. Smaller, honest conversations beat polished presentations.
What's next
We took these lessons into our May 2026 panel at the University of Maryland, and we're building more ways to keep students connected after the event ends.