Oakland University Black Alumni

We had an amazing time at the 2024 OU Black Alumni Chapter Annual Summer BBQ!

Great food, incredible friends, and endless fun, celebrating 50 years of the Black Alumni Chapter at Oakland University 🐻 💛🖤

On behalf of our OU Black Alumni Board, a big thank you to everyone who attended and contributed food and items to the Golden Grizzlies Pantry! Your generosity means so much.

Thank you to the Oakland University Alumni Association for your support and for OU President Ora Hirsch Pescovitz for speaking to us and giving updates on OU’s expansion, programs, and DEI initiatives.

NEXT UP: The 50th Black Alumni Reunion Weekend Oct. 18-19 🐻🐻🥳

The OUBA Board of Directors enjoyed a night of music this past June with local jazz singer Kimmie Horne for Black Music Month! This is part of the Summer Concert Series held at Meadowbrook Hall.

This was the perfect kickoff event to our 50th Anniversary celebrations!

Thanks to everyone who attended our OUBA Annual Summer Cookout! Pics coming soon. Next up is the 50th Anniversary Gala OCTOBER 18th!🐻🐻🐻

We have over 100 OU BLACK ALUMNI & GUESTS registered for the Annual Summer BBQ-50th Anniversary Edition🧺🌞🌭🍔🎵🎵

We look forward to seeing you all tomorrow.

📆Saturday, August 3, 2024
⏱️1p- 6p
📍OU Campus
P-16 Parking Lot (adjacent to O’Dowd Hall)

Please remember to bring a nonperishable item for the Golden Grizzlies Pantry! 🥫🥫🥫🥫

YOU CAN STILL REGISTER AT bit.ly/OUBABBQ50

Free for current OU students, OU Class of 2024 graduates
and children 5 & under

Please help the OUBA support the Golden Grizzlies Pantry by bringing a nonperishable item to our Annual Summer BBQ on Saturday, August 3, 2024 1:00 pm- 6:00 pm.

You can still register at bit.ly/OUBABBQ50

Congratulations to OUBA member Chiara Clayton on her new appointment!! OU 👏👏👏

Join us in saying welcome to these four alumni who were recently elected to the Oakland University Alumni Association Board of Directors!

Top left Mary Jo Ahern, CAS ’63; top right Ashley Chambers, SHS ’13; bottom right Leonard Magro, SECS ’01; bottom left Chiara C. Clayton, CAS ’98.

These accomplished individuals have diverse experiences and deep connections to Oakland University that will contribute to the success of the school and support the OU mission and community.

Read the full story here: https://www.oakland.edu/oumagazine/alumni-voices/2024/new-members-of-ouaa-board-of-directors

💛2nd Annual Blood Drive in honor of Daryl Blackburn🖤

Hosted by the LVC and OSI, the blood drive will be held on July 23rd from 10am-3pm in the Oakland Center, rooms 128-130. Sign up for an appointment or walk-ins are welcome too! Donor incentive: Donate blood, receive a $10 e-gift card redeemable at hundreds of retails such as Target and Panera.

Daryl completed his undergraduate and graduate studies at OU. He held many student leadership positions and worked as a graduate assistant in the Office of Student Involvement. He was then hired as a full-time employee of the OSI where he held the title of Coordinator of Leadership and Service Programs until his passing.

To find out more and sign up for an appointment: https://oaklandu.campuslabs.com/engage/event/10173482

🐻 Hey, OU Alumni! Where are you showing off your OU Pride?

Share a photo of you showing off your OU Pride! Do you have a favorite t-shirt? Did you bring some OU merch with you on vacation? Or do you have one of our OU License Plates that's traveling this summer with you? We want to see them all!📸

Do you know about our license plate program?
When you purchase a license plate, a portion of fees go to supporting student and alumni services. No need to wait for your plate renewal month, OU plates can be purchased anytime! Personalized plates are available 🚘

Visit a Michigan Secretary of State branch of purchase one online! https://www.michigan.gov/sos/vehicle/license-plates/university-plate-options

You are invited the OUBA Annual Summer BBQ-50th Anniversary Edition🧺🌞🌭🍔🎵🎵

📆Saturday, August 3, 2024
⏱️1p- 6p
📍OU Campus
P-16 Parking Lot (adjacent to O’Dowd Hall)

Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Black Alumni Association!

Cost: $25
($20 Early Bird Rate if registered by 7/22/24)
Free for current OU students, OU Class of 2024 graduates
and children 5 & under

Please register at bit.ly/OUBABBQ50

We want ALL OUBA represented! See you August 3rd!

On this Juneteenth, we reflect on the profound significance of freedom. This day marks the liberation of the last enslaved African Americans in 1865, symbolizing hope, resilience, and the ongoing pursuit of equality.

Let’s honor the past and continue to work towards a future where freedom truly means freedom for all.

Oakland University, Oakland Community College partner on new student housing Oakland University (OU) and Oakland Community College (OCC) are collaborating on a pilot program that will allow OCC students to enjoy the benefits of living on the OU campus this fall while still taking classes at the nearby community college.

Are you an OU alum whose child decided they want to transfer to OU next year? I have two things to say…
1. Great Decision!
2. Check out this scholarship
Apps are due June 15th. It’s quick and easy apply online!!🖤💛🐻

OUBA Spotlight!

Recent OU graduate and new member of the Oakland University Black Alumni Destiny Williams was recently awarded the Matilda R. Wilson Award. She was one of three graduating seniors to receive the award given for her positive impact on campus and in the community.

From the Oakland University College of Arts And Sciences newsletter:

Destiny Williams, a Public Relations and Strategic Communication major in the College of Arts and Sciences, has distinguished herself as a passionate leader, advocate and scholar. She maintained a 3.57 GPA and was named to the Dean’s List every semester, while tirelessly working to help others through involvement in numerous campus and community organizations.

Her leadership roles include serving as vice president of Hamlin Hall’s Community Council, a resident assistant and desk attendant for University Housing; an orientation group leader and orientation assistant for OU’s First Year Advising Center; a CORE Ambassador in the Center for Multicultural Initiatives; and the director of advocacy for the Oakland University Student Congress. She has also been active in the Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society, the Association of Black Students and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.

Williams is a 2022 recipient of OU’s Keeper of the Dream Scholarship Award, which recognizes students who have contributed to in*******al understanding and good will. Her devotion to serving others shines through in her volunteer work for the OU Food Pantry, Center for Multicultural Initiatives, Gender and Sexuality Center and the Public Relations Student Society of America OU chapter, for which she served as historian and public relations director.

Born and raised in Lansing, Williams has also volunteered for several social justice and advocacy organizations in the Lansing and Metro Detroit areas.

OU Board of Trustees Trina Scott, SBA ‘96, Joe Jones, CAS ’94, and Stefen Welch, CAS ’05 are all outstanding alumni who return to OU to serve.

Read more below!

There and Back: The OU Impact - Alumni Voices There and Back: The OU Impact | Alumni return to OU to serve on the Board of Trustees | Alumni Voices | OU Alumni Magazine

Registration is now OPEN for the popular OU Alumni Headshot Happy Hour! This year’s event will take place on June 13 at D’Amato’s in Royal Oak in their private room and rooftop patio. Ticket includes open bar, heavy appetizers, and informal and formal networking opportunities with other OU alumni! Space is limited, so be sure to register at the link below ASAP.

https://bit.ly/3QAg4sq

SPOTTED!! OU Black Alumni and current students supporting the Detroit College Access Network
Detroit Decision Day where 15 Detroit high schools brought their seniors to get information on post-graduate pathways including colleges, universities and trade schools.

You did it! And we’re SO PROUD of you! 👏🏽 👏🏽 Congratulations to the class of 2024 and WELCOME to the Oakland University Black Alumni!

Graduation season is upon us! Tag us in your graduation pics for a repost 📸📸🎓🎓

🎉 Calling all Oakland University Black Alumni! 🎉

✨ Join us in celebrating our 50th Anniversary! We need volunteers to serve on committees for exciting events:

👕 T-shirt Design Contest: May/June 2024
🎨 Art Exhibit: June 2024 (Tentative)
🍔 BAC Annual Summer BBQ: August 3, 2024
🥂 50th Anniversary Formal Celebration: (Main Event) – Friday, October 18, 2024

Get involved & make this milestone unforgettable! Interested?

Scan the QR code on the flyer or click here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1-acmE88FuxnW6zHmHwqlY6PfjfXhOGyPYW6LmlTUIZ4/viewform?edit_requested=true&fbclid=PAAaZdaOq8N5RmNkHkkCz43oeH25tonbc2Ol9FXKOJSZbp0bG47DFayfbIZ3w_aem_AdLAm1UwQdakGZbQOregPnguaFi6XOXtI7mp16pwRy4szpVMTn_0NM5YcVDZM2P8vv0

Let's make history together! 🌟

More threes for Gohlke! Oakland’s Jack Gohlke is going to the Final Four to compete in the Three Point Contest 🏀

OU-Pontiac Initiative's Community Sponsorship Awards Through the OU-Pontiac Initiative, the City of Pontiac, Trinity Health Oakland, and Oakland University collaborated to provide $75,000 in Community Impact Sponsorship Awards to various applicants requesting support for projects that will make a positive...

Dream Ambassador Dream Ambassador | Omar Brown-El's resilience forges an inclusive space for students | Alumni Voices | OU Alumni Magazine

Shout out to the over 45 Oakland University Black Alumni and supporters that came out to Firebird Tavern to cheer on our team in the NCAA tournament last night!

We didn’t get the win, but we got together and had a great time!

It was a heck of a season. You made us PROUD. 🏀🐻🏀🐻

OUBA EVERYWHERE!

Mychal Covington is the youngest son of Craig Covington. Mych played for coach Kampe the last time Oakland played in the NCAA Tournament. Mych is currently an assistant coach to Coach Kampe and the current team. So as we cheer for OU during tonight’s game, please cheer for our second generation of OU alums. 🐻🐻🐻

FYI - The attached is a picture of Mych holding the trophy they won by winning the Horizon League Tournament.

Go Coach Cov!!!🏀🏀🏀

Tonight!

Join the OUBA at Firebird Tavern in Greektown to catch OU take on NC State in the NCAA Tournament!

6p-10p

Please share with other OUBA not on social media.

We will also have a sign up sheet available if you would like to work on the OUBA 50th Anniversary activities this year starting in August.

Wear your Black & Gold! (10% off your bill if you do!)

Go Grizzlies! Let’s SHOCK THE WORLD!

NO it's NOT Oakland California!

And we say Auburn Hills. What say YOU?

While many think Oakland U is in California — maybe even the Veep? — local cities spar for ownership Three cities lay claim to Oakland University: Rochester, Rochester Hills and Auburn Hills. And they all might be right.

It's the BLACK & GOLD pride for us! GO GRIZZLIES!!

Golden Grizzlies Survive and Advance https://www.oakland.edu