All University of Oklahoma students share many goals, among them finding their path in life. College is designed to help young scholars discover that path, but success does not come with a guarantee.
However, when those moments of awakening come during a student’s time at OU, it becomes even more special.
One of those moments occurred for former OU student J.D. Baker, who earned his bachelor’s degree from the Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication in 2018. Baker is now a successful professional working as a platform manager for Cortado Ventures, a venture capital firm based in Oklahoma City. He is also a member of the Oklahoma City Black Chamber of Commerce and served as a special assistant to Mayor David Holt of Oklahoma City from 2018 until 2022.
Much of Baker’s success is attributed to his desire to work. He will tell you that he’s “workaholic” who finds projects to work on even during his free time. But Baker will be the first to tell you that much of his professionalism can be attributed to his time with Henderson Scholars.
“I'm grateful for my experience now as an alumnus of the Henderson Scholars program,” Baker said. “I'm really grateful for the relationships I've built during my time as a Henderson Scholar.”
Those relationships are vital to anyone fortunate enough to call themselves Henderson Scholars. The professional world after college emphasizes communication and networking, among other skills. These skills are also highlighted in the Henderson Scholars Program, within which can be found a community of scholars just starting out on their academic and life journeys to distinguished thought leaders like the program’s namesake, George Henderson.
Baker recalls two moments that were essential to his growth as a scholar and his young adult life.
One of these existential moments involved former program director Angie Wright. Like many other young scholars finding their way in school, Baker temporarily found himself in a rough patch. Fortunately for him, he had influential people in his corner in the program.
“Angie was my accountability partner in a lot of ways,” recalled Baker. “She always had my back. She was always looking after me, and I knew if I needed something or had a bad day or just need someone to talk to, I could go to Angie's office and say, ‘Hey, Angie,’ to help me out.”
During one of our conversations, she said, ‘Hey, Baker, how are you doing?’ And I said that I was OK. I’m just trying to get through classes. And then she responds, ‘J.D., I'm proud of you.’”
The moment was notable because Wright typically referred to Baker by his last name. But in that time of hardship, Wright knew how to reach her young Henderson Scholar.
“I just, I just couldn't help but cry,” Baker said. “And for some reason in that moment, I just needed to hear those words. I did not realize I needed to hear those words. But she said, ‘I'm proud of you.’ What a relief that was. All the hard shifts I've been going through, none of it is in vain. Somebody sees me.”
Baker attributes that powerful moment to a shift in his life. It helped him gain the confidence he needed to continue pursuing his dreams of graduating on time and beyond. All that was left was for him to finetune his goals. That is where Henderson stepped in.
Henderson strives to know all the scholars in the program. Baker was no different – a fact that surprised him and stayed with him during his days as an undergraduate. Baker related to Henderson’s story of coming to OU, which helped him find a more stable foundation with his academic career.
“OU was the right place for us both,” Baker said. “Dr. Henderson's impact, I would say on me personally, is just momentous. On this campus as well.”
Baker’s relationship with Henderson continued upon graduation. They remain good friends and keep in touch. The networking and support he found in the Henderson Scholar program deeply influenced Baker. He carries those lessons with him as he embarks upon his new career.
“Having that support from the Henderson Scholars program was so necessary and helped me finish and graduate on time,” he concluded.
About the Henderson Scholars Program
In 1999 there was a vision to honor Dr. George Henderson by establishing a scholarship program in his name. This vision became a reality in 2001, the Henderson Scholars Program officially came into fruition. For more information visit ou.edu/hsp.
