On November 20, 1866, ten members, including Howard, of various socially concerned groups of the time met in Washington, D.C., to discuss plans for a theological seminary to train black ministers.
Den 20. november 1866 samledes ti personer, heriblandt Howard, fra forskellige socialt interesserede grupper i Washington D.C. for at diskutere planer for et teologisk seminarium, der skulle uddanne farvede præster.