The First Black Heritage Week was held in 1968 and honored Dr. Melvin B. Tolson Sr., the Langston poet and educator. The purpose of the week was to celebrate the cultural heritage of black people.

Black Heritage Week and President Robert Kamm’s “Emphasis People” programs were among the reasons credited for the increase in black student enrollment experienced at OSU during the 70s, when the university committed to create and implement a variety of programs designed to recruit and retain not only black but all minority students.

A popular campus organization was the Burnin’ Black chorus (pictured), which still performs songs ranging from spiritual to rock.