Welcome to the Organization of Black Students!

The Organization of Black Students (OBS) was founded in 1968 by a group of Ph.D. candidates and Professional School Students. The organization was a unified effort by many members of the black community at the University of Chicago that evolved into one of the most active groups on campus. Since then the Organization of Black Students has been a pervasive and progressive collection of Black students for over the last 35 years in the efforts of making a better community for Black students.

(OBS) functions as both a support group and a cultural outlet for the Black student body at the University of Chicago. As we approach our 40th year of existence, we hope to continue our traditions that enlighten the University community as well as the greater Chicago community. As always, we will, through our members and events, permeate the University atmosphere. In this respect we hope to contribute to the pursuit of multi-cultural expression and understanding.

The purpose of the Organization of Black Students (OBS) at the University of Chicago is to provide an organizational framework to address issues of concern to the Black community. The Organization of Black Students shall endeavor to build a better understanding of the Black experience that, through its members, programs, resources and functions, will permeate the University atmosphere. In this respect, OBS shall contribute to the pursuit of multicultural expression, understanding, and awareness.

Announcements

40th Anniversary Year Schedule

George E. Kent Lecture Featuring Dr. William Julius Wilson

Tuesday, February 24, 2009
7:00 - 9:00pm at University of Chicago's International House

1414 East 59th Street Chicago, IL 60637

for more information go to the event's calender

Mocha Amor

at the 5710 OMSA Buliding
More information to be announced

Heritige Ball

Look out for more information coming soon

President's Message

Greetings,

Welcome to the official website for the Organization of Black Students (OBS) at the University of Chicago. I am Nicholas Johnson, Executive Board President for the 2008-2009 academic year. Let me take this time to welcome you on behalf of OBS to our website, which we hope will serve as a resource for information, announcements, and updates for the upcoming year. Members of OBS are extremely excited about the events and activities that will take place during the school year, and it is our hope that you will be most actively involved in the many areas that OBS serves the University community and the greater Chicago area.

OBS was founded in 1968 by a group of graduate students at the University during an era of much social change and civil unrest. Amidst racial discrimination and social challenges of the day, these students were determined to make a change in society for the betterment of humanity and show to the world the richness and value of people of African descent throughout the world. In 2008, we face some of the same social challenges and civil unrest; nonetheless, the determination of the members of OBS remains strong as we strive to build a community of black intellectuals who are concerned about bringing positive change to the world and celebrating the greatness of black culture. As we approach our fortieth year of existence, OBS remains committed to the mission and goals set out long ago. Throughout the year, OBS is engaged in many activities and programs that continue to live out our mission and goals with events as our annual George E. Kent Lecture, which has featured world-renowned black intellectuals and leaders such as James Baldwin, Cornel West, and Angela Davis, ongoing community service projects with Chicago Public Schools and various organizations in the South Side of Chicago, several political action events that raise consciousness of social challenges and how to bring about their change, internal membership support within the student body through our mentoring program and various recreational activities, and our annual Cultural Show, which exhibits the artistic creativeness and genius of its members. In other words, OBS is dedicated to doing a great work within the University and neighborhood communities while having much fun at the same time!

Again, let this website be a resource for you if you need any information or updates about OBS. If you are a student at the University of Chicago, please know that OBS is here for you and that the organization can only be as great as the people who are involved in it. Your contributions and skills are greatly needed and appreciated as we move into a new era of history. We are witnessing the making of history right before our eyes, and when others look back on the legacy of OBS, you should want your name and work to be commemorated and honored. If you want to get involved in any way, we would be more than happy to hear from you.

Thank you for your time and interest in OBS. We hope that you will be an enthusiastic participant in OBS. We are more than an organization, we are a community of excellence, hope, friendship, and understanding. We strive not only to be a great body of student leaders but a powerful force on campus and in society. Let us make this year one to remember.

Before closing, let me congratulate and welcome members of the class of 2012 and transfer students for the new school year. We hope that this year will be the start of a life-changing and wonderful experience for you. Make the most of your college experience and much luck at the best school in the universe-the University of Chicago! Also, much gratitude to Udodi Okoh and Angelica Chestleigh, former and incumbent OBS Historians respectively, for their hard work and time in updating the website, the current OBS executive board for their immediate dedication and zeal, and to all of the members and supporters for their continued participation.

Peace and Blessings,

Nicholas A. Johnson
2008-2009 OBS President

Thank You!!!