Father and son’s mutual choice of OU for their undergraduate experience is, in large part, for similar reasons. Parrish chose OU for its beautiful campus and contemporary feel. And though the physical campus has changed over the years, Parrish’s anecdotes about college life at OU encouraged PJ to attend.

“Much of [my decision] was based on my dad’s enjoyment of OU,” says PJ. “He could speak to being close to home yet feeling far enough away to still get that college experience — especially living on campus.”

Parrish also recalls that during the 1980s, the SBA had an extremely small African-American community, which meant a very tight-knit group. “I would be the only minority in most of my business classes, so we really developed a close bond and friendship,” he shares. “Our accountability for each other led to study groups where we would push each other to succeed.”

“This vibrant community he describes led me to feel like OU has a very home-like quality, with the opportunity to make potential friends for life,” says PJ.

In order to make a larger impact on diversity and inclusion efforts across OU, Parrish had joined the student council. PJ is continuing this mission, fully immersing himself in the OU community and working toward the same positive impact. He currently serves as vice president of Gold Vibrations A Capella and director of diversity events with the Student Program Board, and previously served as director of diversity and inclusion for the OU Student Congress. And Parrish enjoys reconnecting with his OU spirit alongside his son, through basketball games and OU Alumni Association Black Alumni Chapter events.

“PJ tends to be active in those same manners, by trying to make a difference and establish fair representation. That was a mission of mine back then, and one that he’s carried on,” says Parrish.

PJ is also following in his father’s management footsteps through his internship as manager of the Good Vibes Only (GVO) hip-hop collective, which aims to explore the roots of hip hop through poetry, instruments and the establishment of a strong community.

“Thirty-plus years of my career were in business management. Now PJ manages the GVO collective. Management is in his DNA, whether he realizes it or not,” says Parrish. Even after graduating from OU and heading to the music city, father and son won’t be far.

“As a retiree, I am looking to move to a warmer climate — Phoenix or Atlanta. Nashville wasn’t on the list until he mentioned it,” explains Parrish. “But if he establishes roots there, that would be one of the areas I would consider.”

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