Mark Batson Returns to Howard: A Conversation on Craft, Career, and Creative Integrity
On Tuesday, March 3 at 12:30 p.m. in the Recital Hall, the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts (CABCoFA) will host a live virtual conversation with distinguished alumnus Mark Batson, who will join the Howard community remotely for a candid and instructive dialogue with our students.
Mark Batson — acclaimed producer, songwriter, and artist — will join Howard University virtually for a live interview led by Candy Shannon of WPFW. Together, they will explore Batson’s journey from his upbringing and Howard experience to the defining moments that shaped his career in the music industry. Those interested are encouraged to RSVP.
This is more than a homecoming. It is a bridge.
From the Yard to the World Stage
Batson’s career spans collaborations across genres and generations, navigating both the artistry and business of music at the highest levels.
According to his official website, Batson's accomplishments include:
"130 million+ albums sold worldwide and more than 10 billion streams, while his creative contributions are featured in projects awarded with six Grammy Award , two Oscars, two Tonys, seven NAACP Image Awards, and five Golden Globes, including Best Motion Picture. A Hip Hop legend, Smithsonian Museum Jazz historian, USC professor, novelist and opera singer, he bridges genres and generations combining music, science, and spirit into stories that elevate culture and evolve the soul of the human collective."
In this conversation, Batson will speak candidly about:
- Early career breaks and how they were earned
- The discipline of studio craft and songwriting
- The creative process behind major collaborations
- Rights, royalties, and the realities of ownership
- Transitioning between roles in an evolving industry
Students will receive not only inspiration, but concrete, actionable guidance — insight into networking, protecting their work, understanding contracts, and sustaining creative longevity.
This moment reflects a core belief of our College: our alumni are among our greatest teachers.
Regarding his upcoming return to the Mecca, Batson wrote:
I am extremely excited about coming home to Howard University, which has been a long term dream of mine.
Strengthening the Alumni–Student Connection
Presented in collaboration with Distrik Kollective, the event is designed to deepen the relationship between accomplished Howard alumni and current students. The conversation offers more than storytelling. It will provide a model of possibility.
The conversation will be experienced live in the Recital Hall and later shared across social platforms, extending the impact beyond campus.
Why This Matters
At its best, a fine arts education does not simply train talent; it cultivates vision, discipline, and ownership. Bringing alumni back into conversation with students allows lived experience to meet aspiration in real time.
We invite the CABCoFA community to join us on March 3 as we welcome Mark Batson home and continue building pathways from classroom to career with clarity, courage, and craft.