OU student leaders selected for Keeper of the Dream Scholarship Awards

Seven student leaders have been selected to receive Oakland University’s prestigious Keeper of the Dream Scholarship Award in recognition of their efforts to break down cultural stereotypes and promote interracial understanding. 

They will be honored during OU’s 34th annual Keeper of the Dream Scholarship Awards Celebration, an event that honors the legacy of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

To qualify for the award, students demonstrated academic excellence, campus involvement and responsible citizenship. They submitted a resume, personal essay and letters of recommendation as part of the application process and were interviewed by a selection committee composed of OU faculty, staff and a past Keeper of the Dream Scholarship Award recipient.

The 2026 Keeper of the Dream Scholarship Award honorees are:

Marcus Johnson
Political Science

Jayson Miller
Mechanical Engineering 

Ndeye Marieme Sarr Samb
Health Sciences 

Mercy Jeffries
Dance and Finance

Triasure Golden
Nursing

Qamar Naji
Health Sciences

Jaliyah Eaton
Public Health

Free and open to the public, the Keeper of the Dream Scholarship Awards Celebration will be held from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Monday, January 19, 2026, in the Oakland Center Founders Ballrooms. Doors will open at 10:30 a.m. Attorney, author and civil rights advocate Bakari Sellers will be the keynote speaker at the event.

Established in 1993, the Keeper of the Dream Scholarship Awards recognize Oakland University student leaders who have contributed to Dr. King’s legacy by breaking down racial and cultural barriers. Over the past three decades, more than 150 students have been awarded Keeper of the Dream scholarships totaling more than $750,000. 

The  2026 Keeper of the Dream Scholarship Awards Celebration is sponsored by Oakland University Credit Union, Corewell Health, Comerica Bank, Whirlpool, Fifth Third Bank, Magna, Lynne & Lia McIntosh Scholarship, Lynne A. McIntosh Memorial Scholarship, Oakland University Alumni Association, Oakland University Black Alumni Chapter, Kaniqua and Stefen J. Welch, DTE Energy Foundation, First State Bank and Priority Health.

This year's Keeper of the Dream honorary co-chairs are Kaniqua and Stefen J. Welch. Kaniqua serves as vice president of communications and marketing for the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan and Stefen is vice president of public affairs for the NBA's Detroit Pistons. Stefen also serves on Oakland University’s Board of Trustees and Kaniqua serves on the Board of Directors for the Oakland University Alumni Association. Both Kaniqua and Stefen are proud OU graduates. 

Additional sponsorship opportunities are still available. Interested parties can contact Christine Talbert at [email protected] to learn more about supporting this event.

For additional event information, contact the Center for Multicultural Initiatives at [email protected] or (248) 370-4404, or visit oakland.edu/cmi/KOD.