Leaving a Legacy: SMSC senior shares experiences of being a Black journalist at OSU

Thursday, March 6, 2025

Media Contact: Elizabeth Gosney | CAS Marketing and Communications Manager | 405-744-7497 | egosney@okstate.edu

When sports media major Steve Spears came to Oklahoma State University as a sophomore, it was only three weeks before he was on camera.

“It didn’t go great,” Spears said with a laugh.

Luckily Spears has had many more opportunities to not only hone his craft, but also help future and incoming journalists along the way: for two years, Spears has been president of OSU’s chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists. During this time he has helped build a community and create opportunities for his fellow media majors.

In February, Spears spoke with CAS students Payton Little and Adeola Favour for an episode of the Pokes PodCAS — the official podcast for OSU's College of Arts and Sciences — about his experiences at OSU as a Black journalist, as well as the importance of Black History Month and his love of Black culture. 

Listen to the episode here or on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.