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About Bison Honors

Annual Awards Dinner & Royal Blue Gala

Date & Time

Date & Time:
Saturday
October 21, 2023
7PM – 2AM

Place

Hyatt Regency Hotel
400 New Jersey Ave
NW Washington, DC

Howard University, the undisputed “Mecca of Black Intelligentsia” was long overdue for an annual alumni celebration dedicated to honoring its distinguished pioneers, leaders, and legends whose influence and contributions span across every industry category. From politics to entertainment, to medicine, media, and business; like cream Howard University graduates and alumni always manage to rise to the top. In 2022, the inaugural Bison Honors Awards Dinner & Royal Blue Gala was honored to fill that void. This year, we’re back for 2023 for what is sure to become a homecoming staple and time-honored Howard University tradition.

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MEET THE 2023 HONOREES

BELOVED PROFESSOR, EMERITA
HOWARD UNIVERSITY CHADWICK BOSEMAN SCHOOL OF FINE ARTS

Vera J. Katz, a professor emerita in the theatre arts department at Howard University, has taught acting and directing for 32 years. For the past 22 years, she has taught at the renowned Duke Ellington School of the Arts, in Washington, DC. Professor Katz has directed more than 50 productions, originally working with Joe Hyman, who produced the famed playwright-director-author, Moss Hart, on Broadway.

During her tenure at Howard Univesity, Professor Katz has taught such notables as Debbie Allen, Anthony Anderson, Chadwick Boseman, Corey Hawkins, Taraji P. Henson, Isaiah Johnson, Jayme Lawson, Phylicia Rashad, Wendy Raquel Robinson, Fredericka Whitfield, Lynn Whitfield, and Isaiah Washington.

In addition, Professor Katz is the author of A Katz Walk: A Toolbox of Techniques for Actors and Directors, with a foreword by Phylicia Rashad. The book is her contribution to the artistic disciplines of acting and directing, especially as it relates to the strengths of the Black Experience.

And

THE BISON OF THE YEAR
ALUMNI CHOICE AWARD

BISON OF THE YEAR 2023 NOMINEES

Bisa Butler is an American fiber artist who has created a new genre of quilting that has transformed the medium, crafting quilts that can only classified as world class fine art. A phenom in her own right, Butler’s work has captivated the artworld and catapulted her career. Recent accolades include the Gordon Parks Foundation Fellowship, Honorary Doctor of Letters from Bloomfield College, and solo exhibition at the Art Institute of Chicago. Institutions acquiring Butler’s quilts include The Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, The Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art, The Perez Museum of Miami, The Art Institute of Chicago, The Museum of Fine Arts Boston, The Orlando Museum of Art, The Newark Museum, The Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and many more.

In 2013 Jae Murphy started posted with the hashtag #HowardToHollywood and has since made that dream come true. In addition to being a producer, song writer and actor; Jae Murphy is most widely known for blazing a trail in the DJ world. In 2023 Jay Murphy, had a breakout year as a international DJ and realized his dream playing multiple high profile gigs including BET Awards Red Carpet show, Sean “Diddy” Combes birthday party, Rocafella Records Ty Ty’s 50th Birthday Party, Broccoli City Music Festival, AfroNation, Uninterrupted Film Festival, Spiderman Across The Spiderverse Premier Party, Black Panther Premier Party, Hunk For Jesus premier, Kentucky Derby, Chis Brown’s Under The Influence Tour, and more.

Deborah Ayorinde has had a breakout year as the star of Amazon Prime's international hit series Riches. Ayorinde plays Nina Richards, the ambitious and intelligent estranged daughter of Stephen Richards from his first marriage. She can also be seen starring the Hulu's, American horror anthology series Them, and you may have also caught her in, Netflix's Luck Cage, as Simone (the other woman) in Girls Trip, or opposite Cynthia Erivo and Janelle Monae in Harriet.

Troy Thompson is the Founder of G.A.P.P Sports Group and Father/Agent to NBA Players Amen and Ausar Thompson, who were drafted #4 and #5 in the 2023 NBA Draft. Thompson had worked tirelessly to strategically craft and steer the careers of his sons Amen and Ausar who now play for the Houston Rockets and the Detroit Pistons, respectively. They became the first brothers to be drafted in the top 5 of the same draft since the 1976 ABA-NBA merger.

Nominees for The Bison of The Year Award are chosen by the Bison Honors Organizing Committee and Advisory Board. The winner is determined by a majority vote of participating Howard University alumni. The headline-making nominees for this award have all had a breakout year in their respective careers and exemplify Bison Excellence and HBCU Pride. After votes were cast and counted, New York Attorney General Letitia James was the clear favorite for 2022 Bison Of The Year. Please be sure to vote for your favorite 2023 nominee.

CAST YOUR VOTE NOW!

A WORD FROM THE 2022 ALUMNI CHOICE BISON OF THE YEAR WINNER

[IT_EPOLL_VOTING id="3115"][/IT_EPOLL_VOTING]

2023 BISON RECOGNITION

NOMINATIONS ARE OPEN

Bison Honors would like to invite the Howard University Alumni Community to nominate worthy candidates across various disciplines. The winner in each category will be selected by a vote of the Bison Honors Board and committee members.