Mission
- To be proactive in The University of Texas at Austin’s and The Ex-Students’ Association’s activities and programs with specific emphasis on the African-American/Black Community.
Goals
- To increase African-American/Black student enrollment at The University of Texas at Austin
- To increase African American/Black student retention at The University of Texas at Austin
- To raise and endow African American/Black scholarships at The University of Texas at Austin
- To increase African-American/Black participation in The Ex-Students’ Association
- To foster camaraderie among Texas Exes
- To increase awareness of African-American/Black Student, Faculty, Staff and Alumni Concerns
- To encourage professional development
History
- In the Spring of 1998, Kevin Foster, Erik Spurlock and Nikol Watts got together and formed a networking group known as the Black Ex-Students of Texas (BEST) and more informally known as the Black Exes. They sponsored and hosted numerous social networking events including happy hours, movie nights, bowling nights, watch parties, and high school visits. They opened the doors and planted the seed to what we know now as BEST.
- In May of 2002, there were many other ex alumni who wanted to inquire about the possibility of the these social networking groups coming together to better serve our community and have a greater impact on the UT Black experience and beyond. Shortly afterwards, the new group formed the BEST Planning Committee, at this point the name of the organization was adopted by the Committee.
- In November 2002, The BEST Planning Committee nominated and elected is Charter Executive Committee and assigned Committee Chairs. The chartering Executive Committee consisted of Alshare Hughes, Tameka Salder, Kimberly Hughes and Katrina Anderson. Bridget Braxton, Michael Malone, Keva Phillips, Erik Spurlock and Charnelle Wiley were all appointed into key functioning Committee Chairs.
- On June 23, 2003 BEST incorporated as a Non Profit Corporation serving Texas. In the Fall of 2003, BEST awarded its first two scholarships to Ebony Moore and Christina Minnifee.