Crowning Her: A New Organization Empowering Black Women at UCO

The University of Central Oklahoma has a new organization this semester named Crowning Her, which stands for Her Excellence Recognized, and it is dedicated to fostering authenticity, community, mentorship, and empowerment for Black female students.

This organization was formerly known as the Black Women’s Initiative, but members decided it was time for a name change to enhance its visibility. 

For many students, finding friends who share similar backgrounds or experiences can be difficult. Crowning Her helps eliminate that challenge by bringing together women who understand each other’s perspectives. The organization provides a community where members feel seen, supported, and celebrated.

“Sometimes it is hard to find friends that look like you or maybe have the same background as you, but Crowning Her eliminates that because you’re all the same way and feel the same,” said Reagan Jones, the Vice President of Crowning Her. 

Crowning Her also runs a mentorship program that pairs upperclassmen with underclassmen. The program’s coordinators are intentional about matching mentors and mentees, considering majors, interests, and personalities to ensure meaningful connections. Before pairing, the group hosts a “Mix and Mingle” event so potential mentees and mentors get to interact organically before final decisions. 

“We’re pretty intentional about who we put together,” said Jones.

This year, about 58 members signed up for the mentorship program.

One of Crowning Her’s collaboration events was “Her Story,” with Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. and the American Association of University Women (AAUW). The event focused on breast cancer awareness and the importance of early detection. Together, the organizations educated attendees on recognizing symptoms, encouraged self-examinations, and provided resources for those affected by breast cancer.

To stay updated on what Crowning Her is doing next, be sure to follow their upcoming events on Instagram @ucocrowningher.