The Cockrell School of Engineering and the UT chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers hosted its second annual Celebrating Cockrell's Black Excellence alumni panel, featuring some of Texas Engineering’s most accomplished and dedicated Black alumni leaders. This year’s panel, moderated by NSBE social chair and civil engineering senior Dorcas Olaoye, featured alumni Darron Anderson (B.S. PGE 1991), David Jones (B.S. ChE 1988) and Khadir Richie (B.S. EE 1997).
During the hour-long Q&A style discussion, the panelists shared about their experiences as students, how they have earned success in their careers and how they are working to make an impact through their personal and professional endeavors.
Below are some of the panelists’ notable insights. We invite you to listen to the entire conversation and continue these crucial conversations with your friends and colleagues as we celebrate Black History Month and Black excellence within our communities. Watch the recording here.
David Jones:
“You’re going to find in corporate America that you’re sometimes going to be the only Black person in the room. You just have to get comfortable with it. You may find that your voice won’t be as loud as others. You may even seem invisible at times. But that’s when you have to find a productive way to be heard. I always tell people that the way you can be heard is through performance, through a creative, innovative approach to looking at things. Bring value to a conversation, a deal or a situation. Don’t shy away from taking on opportunities that others are reluctant to take.”
Darron Anderson:
“Excellence to me is doing the unexpected. It’s achieving things others cannot, reaching a level of success, whatever your definition of success may look like. That is excellence to me. When you add ‘Black’ in front of ‘excellence,’ it takes it to a whole new level. With Black in front, it tells me more about your personality, your drive and your determination. For you to reach that level of success and have Black in front, I would venture to say you probably went through some challenges that others did not. ‘Black excellence’ isn’t just about the success, but about who you are, your determination, your grit and your ability to persevere to achieve success.”
Khadir Richie:
“Seeing someone who looks like you, but a bit further down the path, or perhaps even on top of the mountain, reminds you that you have a chance and that you have things within you that hold potential for success. We need your stories. If you stop, that means there is one less person creating a path for others, and one less story that will serve to inspire future generations.”
