[3] Despite the cultural expectations of the time that as a black person he would work in the labour industry, Howard continued with his education and eventually earned a B.A.
He went on to earn a Bachelor of Divinity from Emmanuel College, becoming the first black person to graduate from that theological school in 1941.
[1] During his time at Emmanuel College, Howard, experienced different treatment due to his skin colour, including being unable to complete his student field placements.
In a 1974 article in The United Church Observer, Howard's former classmates admitted the reason for this was that "the Home Mission secretary of the time was afraid he would be rejected from a charge because of his colour.
[2] Howard's first experience of the United Church came when he was invited by a neighbouring white family to attend with them.