Friday, February 4, 2022
Observing Black History Month
Mr. & Miss Black OSU Scholarship Pageant announces date
Alicia Young Becka Cammon was crowned Miss Black OSU 2021 on Feb. 27, 2021 at the Student Union Theater.
Dru Norton Lifestyle Editor
Tribune News Service
Brandy Thomas Wells and OSU students made a website to further spread the stories of Greenwood.
Greenwood history alive at OSU The project was undertaken as part of Wells’ Digital Methods in History class she taught, which brought more eyes and more biographies. “I am grateful that (Thomas) joined my work. She brought immense talent to the project,” Wells said. “The Chris Becker (Digital Methods) class was small, it Editor-in-Chief was only six students, but they were mighty and they eagerly joined the Brandy Thomas Wells had an project.” idea. On Tuesday, Wells and three of When she arrived at Oklahoma her former students, who helped with State in 2018 she wanted to use her the project, spoke on a panel about the expertise in Black women’s history and website and the journey as part of an do her part in recovering the “richOklahoma State Humanities Initiative ness” and “resiliency” of Greenwood. event. Wells is a history professor The speakers for the event were at OSU who specializes in African Wells, OSU alumna Piper Reece, OSU American, women and gender histoalumnus Trader Johnston and OSU ries. senior Elizabeth Thomas. Her experiences and the centenOthers who took part in the nial of the Tulsa Race Massacre led her creation of the Women of Black Wall to theme one of her classes around the Street project were Makayla Swanson, historic event and provide a ground for Autumn Bean and Kelsey Briggs. maintaining the history of the event. The website has been viewed “I began this work alone,” Wells more than 10,000 times since it went said. “Between teaching classes and live with audiences both in the U.S. writing my first book.” and abroad. The site has also been The solo venture turned into a cited in classes from professors and team project when OSU senior Elizateachers to teach the Tulsa Race Masbeth Thomas joined the work. sacre. The project turned to a website “Several teachers and faculty and eventually the working partners members have written to me personally grew. to say they have added it to their sylThe website details the biogralabi,” Wells said. phies of multiple women from Green2021 was the centennial rememwood, documenting their lives both brance of the Tulsa Race Massacre and before and after the Tulsa Race Masthrough the site the group wanted to sacre in 1921. continue to share the stories of those
that lost everything in 1921. “Whenever I was writing these histories, I think the thing that was always on my mind was how do I represent this in like the best possible light and the most light, sensitive way and the sense of like, being really careful and thorough and really giving all of these women that I’m researching the attention and detail that they deserve,” Taylor said during the panel. The project can be found at https://blackwallstreetwomen.com. news.ed@ocolly.com
Courtesy of Humanities Initiative Brandy Thomas Wells spearheaded the project alone before joining forces with his students.
In the fall of 1970, the first Miss Black Oklahoma State was crowned. Every year since then, the Office of Multicultural Affairs (OMA) has hosted a Miss Black OSU Scholarship Pageant. In 2016, the program was extended to include a Mr. Black OSU. Last year, Becka Cammon, a marketing research and analytics junior at the time, took home the title of 51st Miss Black OSU. This year, Mr. and Miss Black OSU will be crowned on Feb. 26 at 5 p.m. in the Student Union Theater. To be considered, contestants for Mr. and Miss Black OSU are required to be full-time students with grade point averages above 2.75, active members of the African American Student Association and have an active membership in Black student organizations. The categories for on-stage competitions are: Introduction and Platform: Contestants share their biography and explain their platform topic or interest. Cultural Wear: Contestants will present contemporary fashion displaying Black culture. Talent Presentation: Contestants will display a talent or hobby interest. Evening Wear: Contestants will present formal attire showcasing their personal style and elegance. Extemporaneous Question: Contestants will answer an on-stage question and have an opportunity to engage the judges with their responses. For more information on the event, students can go to diversity.okstate.edu. entertainment.ed@ocolly.com
Stillwater snowed in after storm moves through state Some students, like art freshman Riley Yates, said the severe weather came as a surprise. “It’s crazy, I was literally wearing shorts a couple days ago,” Yates said. “And then an earthquake, and now we’re having a snow storm. What is going on with Oklahoma?” Anna Pope In the university’s email announcement, it provided Staff Reporter information for students to help them weather the storm. OSU’s Student Government Association (SGA) also On Tuesday, students received a message, phone released winter storm information to the student body via call and email telling them Oklahoma State’s classes are social media. canceled because of the weather. Posts included contacts of on and off campus reThis wave of winter weather comes after a 4.5 sources for students who get stuck on the road, need food magnitude earthquake rattled Oklahoma and temperatures or access to a mental health professional. in some parts of the state reached the 70’s while under an Below are the resources included SGA’s social active winter storm watch.
media page and the university’s email. Food and basic needs resources: Pete’s Pantry is located on the second floor of the Student Union in room 211P. Bennett Pantry is located in the front hall near the front desk in the dormitory. Basic Needs Resource Center Safety resources: Oklahoma road condition map OSU Police Department: 405-744-6523 Stillwater Police Department: 405-372-4171 SAM 24-hour mental health line: 855-255-2726 Campus safety app OSU’s Cold-weather safety news.ed@ocolly.com
Whats Inside
Flea Market Page 3A
Local small businesses share and sell their merchandise at the Payne County Flea Market.
Lunar New Year Page 4A
Students rang in the Lunar New Year at the Starlight Terrace in the Student Union.
Humans of OSU Page 6A
Former OSU Ducks Unlimited president has been hunting since he could talk.