Charter Day!

Tonight I was among the glitz and glam at Howard's 146th charter day gala. I wasn't wearing any of the sparkly dresses, but I was in the building!

Rewind selecta...a few days ago I got a call from the Dean of my department cordially inviting me to have a seat at the social work table for the event. My social phobia alarm immediately went off although I managed to confirm my acceptance of the invitation before the end of the call. I was anxious because I knew this would mean the arduous task of finding an outfit and giving hair, and the way my checking and savings was set up (in my Kevin Hart voice) I knew I was gonna have to rub pennies to make it happen.

Fast forward... I'm at the Washington Hilton with a buddy from my cohort, dressed down, compared to most, in my basic black dress and Tar-zhay pearls. But instead of having an awkward black girl kind of night, I actually had a really good time.

Anika Noni Rose helped open the event in song. Later, after shrimp, lobster, beef (not for me of course) and a tasty desert plate, Howard alumni were honored for their accomplishments.

It was pretty cool to see people who'd come from where I am now being honored and others being able to donate hundreds of thousands of dollars on the spot for students like me to be able to stay in school.

All in all, I really had a great time. Events like these are slowly luring me out of my tendency for isolation and are helping to serve as intermittent reminders of why it's all worth it!