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AFAMPS Programs

A group of students taking a selfie in the balcony of an auditorium at an event.

Programs

Welcome Events

The Black Student Welcome is a premier event for first year students to learn about our many community partners, student organizations, and faculty/staff on campus that support the Black experience at OU. This annual event is hosted during Camp Crimson, OU's 8-Day orientation experience, and is one of the first opportunties for students to engage in cultural programming that supports and affirms a student's experience and identity on campus. We strive to provide an opprtunity for students to engage with peers, community partners, and faculty/staff that encourages a strong foundation of networking and support.

2023 Black Student Welcome

Friday, August 18th
4:00 PM - 6:00PM
Molly Shi Ballroom (3rd Floor)
Oklahoma Memorial Union

Music. Food. Resources.

Welcome Black Weekend is a three-day distinctive orientation for incoming first year and transfer students designed to help students acclimate to the university experience through engagement with campus resources, community building, and networking — all tools for success. Participating in Welcome Black Weekend provides opportunity for students to build a sense of family and home with their peers.

Join us for our 5th Annual Welcome Black Weekend!

Friday, August 25 - Sunday, August 27

Additionally, Welcome Black Weekend awards a number of financial scholarships annualy. Complete the scholarship application for consideration. Recipients will be announced during the program.

NamePosition
Jordan JackmanChair
Deja BraceyVice Chair
Kaylinn JohnsonOperations
Efram NjorogeFinance
Alyssa SimsCommunity Engagement
Lane LeeCommunity Engagement
J BettsPublic Relations
Sky PorterPublic Relations
Dontre StadenEmcee
Lauren ReedEmcee
Dymond Holmes
Programming
Emily RoseProgramming

Signature Events

Black History Month is a month-long celebration that takes place during February. This month honors and highlights the tremendous contributions and influence of African American communities in the United States.

Black History Month Schedule

The OU Black Royalty Pageant, formerly known as Mr. & Miss Black OU, is an annual scholarship pageant organized and sponsored by the Black Student Association and African American Programs & Services. The pageant takes place annually during Black History Month and contestants compete in several on-stage categories and an interview with judges prior to the event. Crowned royalty serve the community for a full academic year. The pageant showcases contestants' passions for scholarship, service, and cultural awareness. 

Alaneigh Bruner, OU Black Royalty | 2023-2024

Alaneigh Bruner is a 21-year-old Junior majoring in Nursing with a minor in Psychology from Midwest City, Oklahoma.

Alaneigh has made the most of her time here at the University of Oklahoma and is actively engaged in many of the organizations on campus including the Black Student Association, Camp Crimson, BSA Brigade, formerly serving as an ambassador for Black Girl White Coat, a special projects co-chair for the Freshman Action Team, and is a proud Spring '23 initiate of the Koveted Kappa Psi chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Alaneigh’s favorite hobbies have always been dancing, shopping, and annoying her best friends! 

Luke 1:45 says, “Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord has fulfilled his promises to her.” Alaneigh fully understands the pressures that come with being a minority student in STEM and this verse has kept her going even when she feels like giving up. She believes that with the proper support, you can achieve anything you put your mind to.

Jackie Shawn Simmons, OU Black Royalty | 2023-2024

Jackie Shawn Simmons is a senior from Houston, TX majoring in Entertainment Performance & Production Studies on the Multi-Disciplinary Studies Track. She is the proud daughter of OU Alumni Dr. Shawn and Philip Simmons; and the loving sister of alum, Jonathan Simmons.

Spring of 1991, Shawn Simmons was crowned Miss Black OU and now 33 years later, Jackie continues the legacy of being a leader on the University's campus. She is an active member of the Koveted Kappa Psi Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated as Vice President/Programming Chair where she crossed as a Spring ‘21 Initiate. She is president and co-founder of the OU Black Creative Circle. She also serves as the President for the National Panhellenic Council. She was honored to be a part of the 2020-21 President Community Scholars Freshman Class and serve on the executive board as a PAL for her sophomore year. She serves the community as a Henderson Scholar and has won multiple scholarship awards through the University, such as the Pace Grant, Ann Balch Award, Mary Clarke Miley Award, and Freshman and Sophomore Student of the year. She strives to give back to the younger generation of little black girls who were told that they weren't good enough.

She is passionate about the beauty of perspective and storytelling, which is why she has chosen her career path of media production. Her dream and aspirations include starting her own media production company that focuses on telling the complexities of minority women. Growing up she was taught the definition of success was never money, but the idea of ownership. She wants every black girl to be able to own their path and not change because of what society deems them to be. She wants every black girl in the audience to see how beautiful they are inside and out and continue to find times where they can POP!

Stompdown 2024, the 40th Anniversary of Stompdown, will take place on Saturday, March 9th, 2024, at 7:00 PM at The University of Oklahoma!

Mark your calendars today!

Achievements & Awards

African American Programs and Services honors the many accomplishments of students, faculty, and staff whose work contributes to the mission of our office through our annual awards program. Awards are presented at the annual Black Excellence Ceremony.

African American Programs and Services is honored to host the Black Excellence Ceremony. The Black Excellence Ceremony honors graduating students and award honorees. Graduates receive verbal recognition, a certificate, and a Kente Cloth Stole. 

All Spring and Summer Graduates of the 2022-2023 academic year are welcome to attend.

All graduating students are honored with a complimentary Kente Cloth stole during the Black Excellence Ceremony. If you are unable to attend the ceremony, you may claim a stole by indicating so on the registration form.

Looking for More?

You can find more programs and events on OU Engage!

OU Engage