15 Notable alumni of
Oakwood University
Updated:
Oakwood University is 2656th in the world, 918th in North America, and 867th in the United States by aggregated alumni prominence. Below is the list of 15 notable alumni from Oakwood University sorted by their wiki pages popularity. The directory includes famous graduates and former students along with research and academic staff.
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Davido
- Occupations
- singer-songwriterartistrecord producermusician
- Biography
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David Adedeji Adeleke, known professionally as Davido (listen), is a Nigerian-American singer, songwriter, and record producer. Davido was born in Atlanta, U.S, and raised in Lagos, Nigeria. He made his music debut as a member of the group KB International. Davido studied business administration at Oakwood University before dropping out to make beats and record vocal references. He rose to fame after releasing "Dami Duro", the second single from his debut studio album Omo Baba Olowo (2012), from which six additional singles—"Back When", "Ekuro", "Overseas", "All of You", "Gbon Gbon" and "Feel Alright"—were taken. In 2012, Davido won the Next Rated award at The Headies. Between 2013 and 2015, he released the singles "Gobe", "One of a Kind", "Skelewu", "Aye", "Tchelete (Goodlife)", "Naughty", "Owo Ni Koko", "The Sound" and "The Money".
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Brian McKnight
- Occupations
- pianistcomposeractorrecord producerguitarist
- Biography
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Brian Kainoa Makoa McKnight Sr. is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, radio personality, and multi-instrumentalist. An R&B performer, he is recognized for his strong head voice, high belting range, and melisma.
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Clifton Davis
- Occupations
- comediantelevision actorChristian ministersongwriterstage actor
- Biography
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Clifton Duncan Davis is an American actor, singer, songwriter, minister, and author.
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Eric Thomas
- Occupations
- motivational speakerwriterbusinessperson
- Biography
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Eric D. Thomas is an American motivational speaker, author, consultant, and minister. Speeches by Thomas are popular on YouTube.
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Wintley Phipps
- Occupations
- singer
- Biography
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Wintley Augustus Phipps, Sr. is a Trinidadian-American singer, songwriter, record producer, minister, and founder of the U.S. Dream Academy, Songs of Freedom Publishing Company, and Coral Records Recording Company. He features a booming bass-baritone voice, usually singing inspirational gospel music. He is an ordained Seventh-day Adventist minister.
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Barry Black
- Enrolled in Oakwood University
- Graduated with Bachelor of Arts in theology
- Occupations
- chaplainmilitary officerSeventh-day Adventist minister
- Biography
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Barry Clayton Black is the 62nd chaplain of the United States Senate. He began serving as Senate chaplain on June 27, 2003, becoming the first African American and first Seventh-day Adventist to hold the office.
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John F. Street
- Occupations
- politician
- Biography
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John Franklin Street is an American politician and lawyer who served as the 97th Mayor of the City of Philadelphia. He was first elected to a term beginning on January 3, 2000, and was re-elected to a second term beginning in 2004. He is a Democrat and became mayor after having served 19 years in the Philadelphia City Council, including seven years as its president, before resigning as required under the Philadelphia City Charter in order to run for mayor. He followed Ed Rendell as mayor, assuming the post on January 3, 2000. Street was Philadelphia's second black mayor.
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Erica Thomas
- Occupations
- politician
- Biography
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Erica Renee Thomas is an American politician and youth leader. Thomas was the Georgia State Representative of District 39 from 2015 to 2023. She is also the founder of Speak Out Loud, a local nonprofit dedicated to giving a voice to foster children. She was recognized by the Georgia Center for Nonprofits (GCN), as a Nonprofit Leader and given the 30 under 30 Award for 2016.
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Angela Brown
- Years
- 1962-.. (age 64)
- Occupations
- opera singer
- Biography
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Angela M. Brown is an American dramatic soprano particularly admired for her portrayal of Verdi heroines.
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Ron Oden
- Years
- 1950-.. (age 76)
- Occupations
- politician
- Biography
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Ron Oden is an American politician. In November 2003, he was elected the first gay African-American mayor of Palm Springs, California, after serving eight years on the city council. He became the first Black openly gay man to be a mayor of a U.S. city. He was also "the first gay African-American elected to lead a California city." In December 2017, Palm Springs elected "America's first all-LGBTQ city council."
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Delbert Baker
- Enrolled in Oakwood University
- Graduated with Bachelor of Arts in theology
- Occupations
- Seventh-day Adventist ministerwriter
- Biography
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Delbert W. Baker is a Seventh-day Adventist minister, author, educator, and administrator. Formerly the tenth president of Oakwood University and a vice president of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists (2010–2015), Baker is currently the vice chancellor of the Adventist University of Africa.
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Leslie Pollard
- Occupations
- religious figure
- Biography
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Leslie N. Pollard is a Seventh-day Adventist minister, author, and administrator. He served as the president of Oakwood University from 2011 to 2025.
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Ronald Brise
- Occupations
- politician
- Biography
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Ronald A. Brisé is a Democratic politician from Florida. He served in the Florida House of Representatives representing the 108th district, and as a commissioner for the Florida Public Service Commission. He is Haitian-American.
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Stennett H. Brooks
- Years
- 1932-2008 (aged 76)
- Occupations
- accountantpastortreasurer
- Biography
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Stennett H. Brooks was a pastor and the former president of the Northeastern Conference of Seventh-Day Adventist Churches. Prior to becoming the president, Brooks served as treasurer for more than 20 years. Brooks died of injuries sustained in a car accident on April 4, 2008. He received the United Negro College Fund Distinguished Alumnus Award that same year.
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Sylvia Rhue
- Enrolled in Oakwood University
- Graduated with bachelor's degree in psychology and sociology
- Occupations
- writerfilm directorfilm produceractivist
- Biography
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Sylvia Rhue is an African-American writer, filmmaker, producer, and LGBT activist.
