Courtesy: Howard University
WASHINGTON (August 2, 2024) – The Howard University men’s basketball team is gearing up for a once-in-a-lifetime journey to Brazil, the world’s fifth-largest country by area and the largest and easternmost country in South America and Latin America.
This trip holds a profound cultural significance for the Bison program.
It aligns with the 200th anniversary of U.S./Brazil relations, a momentous milestone in the histories of both nations. Howard will depart D.C., Friday evening and return Tuesday, August 13, carrying with them a deeper understanding of cultural exchange.
Even though the two-time reigning Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) tournament champions were scheduled to play four basketball games against international competition, they will be secondary compared to this opportunity’s bigger picture and purpose.
This trip is not just a journey, it is an education, offering Howard’s student-athletes a unique opportunity to learn and grow. The men’s basketball team will be the second Howard program to travel abroad this summer. The volleyball team went to Africa in May.
“This trip is a huge part of our student-athlete experience,” Howard men’s basketball head coach Kenneth Blakeney said. “To expose them to another continent and a place that most of our student-athletes have never gone to is exciting for me. Our program is about exposure and the opportunity to have our kids spend time in a place that we have heard about and seen pictures of, which is something they will not soon forget. It should be a dope life experience.”
Howard will arrive Saturday (August 3) in Sao Paulo, the most populous city in South America, to begin its experience. The Bison will spend time traveling around Brazil, visiting Salvador and Rio de Janeiro, the third most populous city in South America and the site of the 2016 Summer Olympics.
“I am looking forward to seeing our men touch down and seeing their reactions to the different cultures and being in a new environment and country and see how they digest and take in this new experience for them,” Blakeney said.
Throughout 2024, the United States and Brazil are hosting a series of joint initiatives, seminars, exchange programs and cultural events to highlight their shared commitment to each country’s rich diversity, the strength of their respective democracies, the protection of human rights and the preservation of the environment.
The men’s basketball team has been dedicated to maternal health for several years and this trip offers them the opportunity to showcase their commitment to making the world a better place by engaging with another culture.
Dr. Tonija Hope, director of Howard’s Ralph Bunche International Affairs Center, helped coordinate many of the cultural activities for this trip. Planning began as early as March when Hope met with Kery Davis, Howard Director of Athletics, to brainstorm experiences that would provide significant value for the student-athletes.
Hope, who has worked at Howard University for nine years, will accompany the Bison on this trip. She has also been instrumental in working with the U.S.-Brazil joint action plan to eliminate racial and ethnic discrimination and promote equality, which was signed in March 2008. It is the first bilateral agreement targeting racism. The Joint Action Plan acknowledges that Brazil and the United States are multi-ethnic, multi-racial democracies with bonds of friendship reinforced by shared experiences. Recognizing the tapestry that connects them, both nations celebrate the significant contributions of people of African descent and indigenous populations.
“This trip also has a social justice tilt,” Hope said. “While we visit tourist sites, it will be much more impactful to learn about some of the issues Afro-Brazilians face. We share many of these, like police brutality and access to healthcare and education. This is a chance to interact with people, government and civil society to address some of the things we share.”
Howard University will do many things during their time in Brazil, including taking lots of selfies, eating, sleeping and being awed by its majestic beauty. Those Instagram stories and Tik-Toks will be must-see viewing for fans as Howard will tour the city of Salvador, spend time on the Copacabana beaches, visit the iconic Christ the Redeemer Statue in Rio and tour Sugar Loaf Mountain. The statue, which stands 98 feet tall, is the largest Art Deco-style sculpture in the world and is considered one of the seven wonders.
“This opportunity is fantastic and sets us apart from many institutions, especially among HBCUs,” Hope said. “I am more excited they chose to visit Brazil because of the opportunities it presents to the team to learn about what is happening south of us. The opportunity to make connections and build relationships for the university and individual team members to connect with people like them in Brazil and hear their stories will be truly transformational.”
Known for its excellence and renowned alumni like current vice president and presidential nominee Kamala Harris, Howard has a well-earned reputation for excellence, truth and service. This trip will bring those values to life as the Bison will also do community service activities that will make a difference.
“We pride ourselves in offering our student-athletes unique experiences outside of the sport,” Davis said. “Most student-athletes might never get a chance to go overseas. Traveling and playing in Brazil presents a chance to expose our young men to different cultures, broaden their horizons and provide life-long lasting memories.”