Happy Halloween Keeping Up Family!

I hope everyone has a happy Halloween! Just a quick reminder to those that live in NY...

Make sure you come out to Costumes for Change and join in with the festivities.

And for those of you that are looking to scare someone tomorrow....show them this picture:

Mekka Don- Dear Obama

Take a moment to listen to Mekka Don's Dear Obama and let him know what you think about the song. His voice actually sounds like Pac a little. (My favorite rapper of all time :)

It is amazing how much of an impact Obama has had on not only the country, but the world. I wonder how it feels to have millions of people expecting you to be their savior. I wonder how it feels to have the world looking for you to make a drastic change in their lives. It must be wonderful to be able to inspire so many, but hard to feel like you literally are carrying the world on your shoulders.

Message to the world:

If Obama wins, let him be a great President and turn this country right side up again. Let him create policies that truly bring about change in our country. Let him also inspire young people to dream big dreams, and accomplish them. But let's not forget that he is simply a man, and he cannot answer prayers. (don't get sad he might answer letters and emails....just title them Dear Obama...and let him know what you think should be done to better our country)

Keep UP!

You Can Vote However You Like

"You can vote however you like"

Watch these Kids talk about the two candidates ....

(Submitted by reader Jamel Franklin)

Howard University Yardfest

As we continue in the Howard Homecoming spirit....up next...

Brett Williams (Vice Chair of Homecoming) Shout out to Melanie Jones (Chair of Homecoming not pictured)

The Howard University Yardfest

October 17, 2008

1:00p

The Howard Yardfest is always an event not to be missed during the Homecoming celebrations. We have heard rappers Biggie and Ludacris both talk about the fun they had at Howard's Yardfest! So let's see how this years Fest lived up to the hype...

This years coordinator was Tyler Pride!

Some of the Acts:

Niyesha Coleman
Up-and-Coming Female Rapper
Howard University Student

When asked about her feelings about her performance, she told us that the crowd gave her mad love and she appreciated no one booing her!

Jerod Harris

Up-and-Coming Male Rapper
Howard University Student

When asked about his feelings about his performance, he told us that he was grateful and it was such an adrenaline rush!

He left us with a quote: "The moment you quit, you fail"


A. Pinks
Independent Rapper
Howard Alum


Retro Kidz

Group of guys and one girl, who have become local celebrities in New York. They are known for wearing clothes and performing dance moves from the 80s and 90s.

When asked what makes the Retro Kidz so special, they responded that they believe in stepping outside of the box, being yourself, and being trendsetters. Basically doing your own thing is what will set any person apart from the rest.

Willy Northpole

Def Jam Recording Artist (heard in The Streets with DJ Khaled)

Wale

Slim from 112

Ace Hood

Def Jam Recording Artist ( Single "Ride" featuring Trey Songz)

Ryan Leslie

Boris Kodjoe

His advice on how Young people can Keep Up:

Education is the key! Honor the Black legacy and reach for the stars. It is 2008 you get no more credit for just surviving!

Maino (Hi Hater)

His advice:
Once one grind is over prepare for the next one. You may think it is over, but you still have more to go.

Terrence Howard

Bun B (UGK)

David Oliver
2008 Olympic Games bronze medalist

How to Keep Up:
"Life is a roller coaster; just strap yourself in"

Lance Gross

NAACP Image Award-winning American actor currently portraying a character in the TBS sitcom Tyler Perry's House of Payne, and other Tyler Perry productions such as the Meet The Browns film.

When asked how it is to work with Tyler Perry he responded by saying that it is great to work with someone that gives up-and-coming artist a chance. He is also glad to work with a man that is trying to change the game.

He is happy to announce that House of Payne has signed on for 26 more episodes and he will be starring in a new movie very soon!

Stay tuned for next year when Keeping Up makes their way to other HBCU's ...you could be next!

Photos: Paige Fenn http://www.daisylovephotos.com/

Special thanks to Creative Director Victoria Reese

Costumes For Change

B.IVY and Tri State for Change presents Costumes for Change, a Harlem House of Horror Costume Party Fundraiser.

$5 min donation to enter

10pm to 3am

471 West 140th Street

It is always hot to party with a purpose. Anyone that lives in NY or surrounding areas should not miss this event. (I secretly had a hand in the planning...so come support me lol)

Make sure to check out B.IVY, the official promoters at http://www.bivy1867.com/

Also for more information: Jenn 469-360-1909

Trick or Treat?...I pick Obama :) lol

What are you going to be for Halloween?

Any why is it that women only have slutty selections? gosh!!!!

Dual of the Divine

Up next Howard University Step Show! This year the show was titled "Dual of the Divine".

Every year hundreds of people buy tickets to the Howard University Step Show to see which Fraternity or Sorority will take home the Gold Boot!

Every year it is a constant anticipation on what each team is going to bring to the stage, but a lot of focus is put on the AKA's and the Delta's. Every year the two teams prepare to battle and bring some new WOW FACTOR that will put them over the top.

This year the AKA's did not participate in the step show and for a moment ticket holders became disappointed about their ticker purchase. What is a step show without both of them?

Those that went anyway should not have been disappointed. The Dual of the Divine still went on and it was great!

The Host of the Show: Keisha Knight Pulliam and Brandon T. Jackson

The show started with the Zeta's who did an election theme. They were running for best Sorority on the yard and the Sigma's were their running mates.

The Omega's were next, and for the first time in a long time, they actually put on a full blown out show. Their theme was Batman! The highlight of their show was when they flipped with blindfolds on.

The Iota's were up next and who knew we would get to see McCain and Obama fight? They had the audience rolling when the Burger King man came out and crushed McCain!

The Delta's entered the stage as warriors. A good moment in their show was when they mocked Kanye and T-pain.

The Alpha's were by far the best performance of the night. They had a mission impossible/ war type theme. They did costume changes, made a human compass, had guns as props, and had a hot professional movie to go along with their show.

The Sigma's came out as ninjas! The highlight of their show was when they had someone standing on sticks in the middle of a circle.

The Kappa's were the last show and also had a batman theme. The highlight of their show was when Pretty Willie performed!

At the end their could only be two winners. Alpha Phi Alpha and Delta Sigma Theta took home the Boot!

The show was a success and each team brought the WOW FACTORS that fans cannot wait for every year.

Congrats to Kami Dowdy, the coordinator for this years Step Show!

What did you think about this year's Step Show?

What are the step shows like on your campus?

Photos by Donneisha Taylor

"Cirque De La Vie"- HU Fashion Show

Keeping up with the Huxtables attended the 2008 Howard Homecoming and could not wait to share with you the great events that went on! (I just had to wait on a few pictures to come in...lol)

First up...HU Fashion Show!

"Cirque De La Vie" was the title of this years Howard Homecoming Fashion Show.

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Fashion Show I: 7-9 pm

Fashion Show II: 10 pm-Midnight

Located in Crampton Auditorium

The coordinator of the show was Laron Howard and he managed to carry out seven amazing themes throughout both of his shows.

"On The Tight Rope" (Scene 1)

Singer Jessica Chamblis (Senior Music Theatre major) opened up the circus-theme show.

"On The Tight Rope" was the opening scene featuring artist Wesley as the "ringmaster". Models walked the runway as acrobats swung on swings in a more circus-theme. Models wore Betsey Johnson, Barneys New York, and Smoke and Mirrors.

"Smoking Mirrors" (Scene 2)

"In The Lion's Den" (Scene 3)
This scene featured Ghita, Crecendo, and Daredevil lines. Guys wore lots of vests, and ladies classic-type of dresses.

"Daredevil" (Scene 4)

One of the hottest themes of the night! Girls were posted on motorcycles as this was the more "punk rock" scene of the evening. Designers included Barneys New York and Wrath. Models held chains, hammers, and medal clubs to go along with the "punk" feel of the scene.

"Animal Acts" (Scene 5)

This was another hot theme of the evening. Jungle-theme dancers came out and opened the scene, and every piece included was animal print.

"In The Ring of Fire" (Scene 6)

David Oliver 2008 Olympic Games bronze medalist and Lance Gross a NAACP Image Award-winning American actor currently portraying a character in the TBS sitcom Tyler Perry's House of Payne, and other Tyler Perry productions such as the Meet The Browns film.

This was the swimwear scene!

(Scene 7)

Models closed the show with the latest from House of Dereon.

Some of the designers included: Betsey Johnson, Barneys New York, Ballonacy, Ghita by Alexis Phifer, Wrath, Smoke and Mirrors, Antomn, House of Dereon

Here are a few quotes from the night:

Brandon Griffin and Jelani Hall (models)

Brandon Griffin, HU Freshman, model

"Actually, I like Leron's stuff (fashion coordinator), I'm not exactly sure what it's called. And I like wearing the swim shorts."-On favorite things to wear in show

"A lot of people say they like the energy like the faces I make and stuff like that. I actually like to smile, I like to be flirty. That's how I stand out from everyone else."

"Oh, this is definitely my first fashion show, but I'm not nervous."


Jelani Hall, HU Freshman, model

"Well, some of the models in the fashion show had their own lines that I like." -On favorite things to wear in the show

Jamila Jackson, HU student, model

A crowd favorite, Jamila Jackson (HU student), couldn't make up her mind about which designer she enjoyed wearing the most.

"They were all great, I don't know. Like, for real."

"I liked [walking in] scenes 2 and 5."

Ashley Holland, visitor, Charlotte, NC
*first time at fashion show*

"The designs were good, the set was good. Everything was nice...the bomb. I had a very good time."

"I liked Betsy Johnson, yeah."-On favorite designer of fashion show

photos by Donneshia Taylor

Reporter: Kristen M. Price



How did you feel about this year's Fashion Show?

If you attended another School for Undergrad, how does this compare to the college Fashion Shows you are use to?

Stay tuned the rest of the week for more Howard Homecoming...