Morehouse College Wins The Honda Campus All-Star Challenge

Morehouse College, in Atlanta, Georgia just won the Honda Campus All-Star Challenge (HCASC), an academic competition for Historically Black College and University (HBCU) students. With over 60 HBCUs participating in this year’s competition, Morehouse’s win was quite an accomplishment. Honda has been hosting the competition for 33 years, and Morehouse is the only HBCU that has qualified for every single competition. This year, the team at Morehouse earned its institution a $75,000 grant.

During the championship, the Morehouse team answered questions on topics ranging from history to pop culture to science to literature. Coached by Robert Myrick, the team includes captain Stephen Agyepong, a senior biology major from Maryland, Isaiah Thompson, a senior economics major from Georgia, Andre Brown, a junior biomedical engineering major from Georgia, and Kendall Wood, a junior biology major from Ohio.

According to Stephen Agyepong, the captain of the Morehouse team, “My HBCU experience was greatly impacted by COVID-19. I missed out on internships, study abroad experiences, and the opportunity to compete [for the HCASC National Championship title] in California. However, I still found a sense of community from my team and other schools in the HCASC cohort.” He added, “Personally, HCASC has helped me continue to learn effective strategies to deal with pressure. My reading comprehension and speaking skills have also improved greatly.”

Agyepong also shared that he has gained confidence in himself and his ability to showcase his knowledge, noting, “HCASC has been a positive space for young Black people to immerse themselves in all the subjects that they know, love and study. I’m also blessed to have met the outstanding men of Morehouse who have guided me through not only the HCASC experience, but also through the past three years of my life.”

Honda also honored Robert Myrick, eight-year Morehouse HCASC team coach, as Coach of the Year. Myrick earned this recognition due to his admirable coaching that has kept Morehouse among the top HCASC teams. In Myrick’s words, “As a former player, HCASC was a central part of my HBCU experience. It provided me with a community of fellow HBCU students, alumni, and advocates who supported my growth academically, personally, and professionally.” He added, “Now as coach for Morehouse, my growth is spurred by the opportunity to support young Black men as they transition from students to leaders.” Myrick’s willingness to mentor those Black men who come after him is very common among HBCU graduates. Research shows that HBCUs alumni feel a responsibility to “pay it forward” and create opportunity for others.

HCASC is more than an academic competition. Beyond gameplay, students have noted how the program has helped develop their leadership and collaboration skills. They have also gained more confidence in their academic abilities. By competing with students from other HBCUs, students also create lasting friendships. They also network, build camaraderie and gain mentorship opportunities with HCASC alumni. Beyond the competition, Honda provides professional development seminars to help prepare students for success after graduation.

According to Yvette Hunsicker, vice president of Corporate Social Responsibility and Inclusion & Diversity at American Honda Motor Company, “Honda has been supporting the success and dreams of HBCU students for over three decades, and it all started with the Honda Campus All-Star Challenge.”

For over 30 years, Honda has supported HBCUs and their students through initiatives including the HCASC and the Honda Battle of the Bands, which showcases the famed HBCU marching bands. Honda’s programs have shaped the lives of more than 200,000 students and the company has awarded over $14 million in grants in support of HBCU education programs and facilities improvements. The car company is also a member of the HBCU Partnership Challenge, a Congressional Bipartisan HBCU Caucus initiative that brings together government, industry and HBCUs to create strategic, more sustainable HBCU partnerships.

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