The OKC Black Alumni Coalition (OBAC) started from a university course assignment. In the 2018-2019 academic school year, one of the largest and most urban public school districts in Oklahoma underwent a swift school consolidation plan in response to an unrelenting decline in enrollment. Recognizing the threat to identity, sense of safety and belonging, and further academic disruption of black youth, five social work graduate students initiated a plan to mobilize alumni of six predominately black schools that spring. The goal was to help form a collective body that could interface with school administrations on a macro level to advocate for black youth in Oklahoma City. 

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Upon completion of her graduate program, Co-Founder Shawntay Alexander led the charge to continue building the coalition with the support of the other founders and alumni advisors. In the fall of 2021, the OKC Black Alumni Coalition was incorporated as a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.