The Keeper of the Dream Award recognizes outstanding students who have helped foster interracial understanding and goodwill.
A recipient goes above and beyond to advocate for a multicultural connection throughout their community. As an active student and mentor to others on campus, Fatoumata Samb, a student majoring in Public Health, has been awarded for her contribution and support towards Oakland University.
For Samb, she first heard about the award when she was at a game night and discovered an application on the table. Later on, she was encouraged by her friends at the First Year Advising Center to submit an application for the award.
“One day I went into the First Year Advising Center,” Samb said. “My supervisor from the summer asked me if I was applying so she could write a letter of recommendation for me.”
Samb is involved with multiple organizations that help students who are adjusting to college. This includes being a part of the Center for Multicultural Initiatives, African Student Union, Resident Assistant and serving as a student leader for freshman orientation.
“As a student leader, as an RA, as a peer mentor, I’m here to support you and help you, so if I’m with you, I’m just going to communicate good vibes and energy to you,” Samb said when describing the purpose of her leadership positions. “It’s like being a big sister with those students. That’s the biggest reward because it’s nice to have students look up to you or come to you when you have questions — and know that you can help.”
After Samb received the letter announcing she had received the Keeper of the Dream Award, the first thing she did was celebrate with her sister. After celebrating, she knew she had to tell her mother the exciting news, even while it was the middle of the night in Senegal.
Achieving the award meant a ceremony to celebrate Samb and her achievements.
“My mom made a trip all the way from Senegal in the middle of winter, so she was here for the coldest days of the year,” Samb said. “I went home in December, I needed a traditional outfit for my ceremony. I got my outfit and was so happy with how the ceremony turned out.”
As an international student from West Africa, Samb used her experiences from living on campus to help those in the community.
“I remember talking to some parents and I said ‘I came from West Africa. My parents are 24 hours away from me — but I’m doing fine because I have a support system,’” Samb said.
As a sophomore major in Public Health, Samb is working to gain more experience in the field. In the summer, she will be doing a study abroad in Ghana to do research on prematurely born babies.
Recipients like Samb and other achievers of the Keeper of the Dream Award further push for inclusivity and positive change for the Oakland community. For more information on the award, visit the Center for Multicultural Initiatives’ OU webpage.
