We are very excited to introduce the H.O.P.E. Yes!  Summer Enrichment program at Howard University College of Dentistry, sponsored by a grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation through the American Dental Education Association. This grant seeks to encourage exposure and career development in the dental and allied dental and medical health professions to underrepresented minorities (URM).  H.O.P.E. Yes! was created also to provide an opportunity to encourage students to think like young health professionals, develop skills in oral presentation, creative thinking and problem solving.

The acronym H.O.P.E in H.O.P.E Yes! serves dual purpose. It stands for: Health Science Outreach Program Externship.

From a leadership/mentorship perspective the acronym H.O.P.E. stands for: 

High Achievement, Outstanding Leadership, Powerful Purpose, Exceptional Excellence.

This Externship is provided specifically for URM 3rd-5th graders, middle and high school aged children to introduce them to careers in the Health Sciences particularly in the fields of Dentistry and its specialties, Allied Dental Health (Dental Hygiene, Dental Assisting, Lab Technicians etc.), and Allied Health (Nurse Practitioners).

In this society almost everybody has a “project” of some sort. Essentially something they all want to “fix”. H.O.P.E. Yes! Seeks to do the opposite. We do not simply want to “fix” a situation we want to inspire within. To put it plainly, H.O.P.E. Yes! does not aim to “fix” a child, rather we want that child to see beyond their current circumstance or environment and be inspired to HOPE within themselves and affirm this HOPE into real possibilities. Dream. Believe. Achieve.

H.O.P.E Yes!  is unique as it serves as not only a title of a signature program, it is also a statement of affirmation. It answers the question: Can I aspire to be great in spite of what I see? Yes! In spite of my surroundings? Yes! In spite of the hand that life has dealt me? Yes! Can I dream? Yes! Should I believe? Yes! Will I Achieve? Yes!

“To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe"

-Anatole France

Dr. LaToya Barham

Program Creator and Director, H.O.P.E. Yes!