WASHINGTON (March 21, 2024) - It was just a casual networking opportunity and a gathering, typical for a Howard University student interacting with influential Howard alums.
 
Carys Carr (Rochester, N.Y.), a senior bowler at Howard, did not think much of it.
 
"Being an HBCU scholar allowed me to party with Vice President Kamala Harris, another fellow Bison, at her house on the last day of Black History Month," Carr mentioned nonchalantly. "I squealed like a little kid when I saw the gates with the Vice President's seal. It was surreal! There were so many people there that I didn't get to meet her or speak to her one-on-one, but she did point in my direction while we were in her living room when all the Howard students raised their hands, mostly because she probably couldn't see me, only my little red blazer."
 
Wait, what?
 
Not many student-athletes can boast about spending time at Harris' residence, making Carr's experience unique. 

"Walking into (Harris') house, the first thing you saw was the photo booth on her porch area that was wrapped around the house and all of the pictures of her at various HBCUs from over time, including when she was at Howard," Carr added. "I also remember how many doors there were. I went into a room, and there was a door that led into another room and another; it was almost a maze, even though we were only in the front of the house. Every time one of the servers came out with another platter, you could see the Secret Service huddle in a closet next to the bar. It was funny seeing them stop talking whenever the door swung open."
 
Carr, exemplifying excellence, has not only soared academically but also made an impact globally through her impactful internship at the United States Department of Education last year, working closely with the White House Initiative on HBCUs.
 
Among some of the people she worked closely with was the executive director of the White House Initiative on HBCUs Dr. Dietra Trent, Confidential Assistant for the U.S. Department of Education Salome Daniel, a Howard alum, Management and Program Analyst of the White House Initiative on HBCUs Elyse Jones Gillespie, and Engagement Advisor in the Office of the Vice President of the United States Larry Bowden. 

"I worked in the Office of the White House Liaison," said Carr, who is humble, talented, disciplined, dedicated and unique. "I helped put on so many events, participated in the federal appointee process and even developed and implemented their internship program there that is still in effect today. My favorite memory from my time at the Department of Education was when my team went to breakfast at the White House in the West Wing. The food was good, too." 

So, let us get this straight: Carr spent time at Harris' house and ate a meal in the White House?
 
In addition to interning at CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield in the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Office, Carr presented on a topic she researched for a couple of years on the connection between a healthcare provider's political affiliation and the impact that may have on Black maternal morbidity.
 
While all that was cool, the most meaningful accolade for Carr was being selected as an HBCU scholar because of her family's legacy. One of her grandfathers attended Tuskegee University. Her other grandfather and his parents went to Delaware State University. Carr's great-grandfather and great-uncle both attended Morgan State University.

"Continuing the HBCU legacy was important for me because I've heard all of my family members' stories about how much they enjoyed their time at their HBCU and how it changed their lives," said Carr, who is majoring in political science and minoring is in maternal and child health. "I guess you can say I wanted to feel that change, too, and I did. Howard has made it possible for me to be in rooms I would have never imagined I would be qualified to sit in. I take a lot of pride in my education and I feel like I made the best choice I could have ever made by coming to Howard to advance my education."
 
The Rochester, N.Y. native is also happy for the opportunity to be a member of the Bison bowling program, something she did not think would be possible when she missed the meeting during her freshman year because of a conflict with move-in day. Carr tried out and made the team as a sophomore, but her schedule did not allow her the time she needed to commit to practices fully.
 
Carr did the next best thing and became a team manager, which kept her around the sport she grew to love ever since she started playing at five years old. Being a manager helped Carr become a stronger bowler and a more confident leader. This past offseason, Carr also enhanced small parts of her game.
 
Improvements she believes will make a difference this weekend when Howard competes in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Bowling championships at Buffaloe Lanes in Raleigh, N.C. The championship starts Friday, March 22, and concludes Sunday, March 24. 

"I have a much better follow-through and my steps flow much better instead of stutter-stepping," Carr said. "I've been spending a lot of time studying the lanes and making sure that I know what I'm talking about when I ask my coaches questions at tournaments. I have also been working on my overall health by doing more cardio and workouts to get my stamina and strength up. The best part of bowling is probably how all of us stick together no matter what team we are on, especially in MEAC. Whenever we have our tournaments, we have competition, of course, but we also really support each other on the lanes. Also, I appreciate how meticulous the game itself is. Counting the boards on the lane and how one simple miss of a board throws off even the most perfect roll. My mom says I'm a nerd because I find all the math involved in bowling interesting and fun."
 
Carr may not be a nerd, but she graduated from high school at 16 years old after taking accelerated classes and being placed in before-school programs since she was in fourth grade. Among some of her influences were graduate members of her youth auxiliary group, Alexis Goolsby and Joyce Akwaa. Her teachers and counselors, such as Ms. Teague (10^th grade English), Mr. Milks (chemistry), Mr. Detwiler (band), Mrs. Resch (counselor) and Ms. Graves (7^th and 8^th grade English), continue to positively enhance Carr's life.
 
"My first exposure to Howard came in eighth grade when my school came to D.C. for our annual trip," Carr said. "I instantly fell in love, and it just felt like I belonged here. Attending an HBCU was my priority. I plan to go into health policy, whether that be writing, revising or enforcing health policy. I will be embarking on my Master of Public Health with a concentration in Health Policy this summer." 

Carr is also a member of the National Council of Negro Women on the young adult and collegiate committee (YACA) and health equity committee (HEQ). She is also a member of various health associations and organizations like Sisters in Public Health and the National Association of Health Services Executives.
 
Carr participated in the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine D.C. Public Health Case Challenge, where Howard won the wildcard award for its intervention being community-centered.
 
Carr, who is Jamaican, loves to cook and looks for any excuse to make a feast of Jamaican meals. The well-rounded Carr enjoys reading books by Black authors and singing. Carr is currently reading "The Weight of Blood" by Tiffany D. Jackson and "As the Wicked Watch" by Tamron Hall.
 
"I can relate to what I'm reading and escape from reality while I'm nose-deep in a book. I enjoy that the most about reading. Besides those things, I like to plan events, and I am helping my aunt plan my parents' wedding. Competing for Howard means a lot to me to represent something that has given me so much." 

Rob Knox is an award-winning professional and a member of the Lincoln (Pa.) Athletics Hall of Fame. In addition to having work published in SLAM magazine, the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Washington Post, and Diverse Issues In Higher Education, Knox enjoyed a distinguished career as an athletics communicator for Lincoln, Kutztown, Coppin State, Towson, and UNC Greensboro. He also worked at ESPN and for the Delaware County Daily Times. Recently, Knox was honored by CSC with the Mary Jo Haverbeck Trailblazer Award and the NCAA with its Champion of Diversity award. Named an HBCU Legend by SI.com, Knox is a graduate of Lincoln University and a past president of the College Sports Communicators, formerly CoSIDA.
 

For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.