Gamecocks of the Week: Sigma Gamma Rho Soror Tekedra Hankins & Owen Black

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Two USC students were awarded a trip to New York City after being recognized by the American Advertising Federation.

Owen Black, a marketing and management student, and public relations student Tekedra Hankins were both nominated for the honor by Bonnie Drewniany, the faculty advisor for the University’s AAF chapter. Black was named among the AAF’s Most Promising Minority Students while Hankins was named to the organization’s Most Promising Honor Roll.

Every year, the American Advertising Federation recognizes top minority students across the nation who demonstrate leadership and show promise in the career field. This year, two USC seniors were honored at the organization’s luncheon in New York City.

Both students were selected for their leadership and extracurricular involvement at USC. Hankins, however, did not always have an interest in this career path. Until her sophomore year, her major was criminal justice because she wanted to be an attorney.

“I switched after taking a criminal law class and realizing that it was simply an interest and I couldn’t see myself happily doing that for the rest of my life,” said the Columbia native. “I knew that I loved writing, meeting new people and public speaking so [the Career Center] suggested I look into the Journalism school.”

After taking a few journalism classes, Hankins said she loved it from the beginning. She is also involved in many extracurricular activities, including being a Resident Mentor and a member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., Alpha Lamda Delta and the National Scholar’s Honor Society.

Post-graduation, Hankins hopes to earn her master’s and eventually work in governmental affairs. She currently interns in the communications department of the South Carolina Department of Corrections.

“I really enjoy it and doing something of that nature full-time would be amazing,” Hankins said.

Though she was unable to attend the AAF luncheon in New York City, Hankins said she has still received several calls and e-mails from interested employers.

Black, on the other hand, had the opportunity to attend the all-expenses-paid luncheon in early February. This was Black’s first time visiting the city, and he said they stayed right down the street from Times Square.

“New York is just so big; I love it,” said the Elgin native, adding that he would like to work there after he graduates.

At USC, Black has been an account supervisor for the Carolina Agency, a public relations firm that handles real clients. He is also the founder of One Flag SC, which aims to remove the confederate flag from the statehouse for the economic well-being of South Carolina.

“Our argument is purely financial,” Black said, acknowledging that there are many arguments pertaining to the flag’s removal, but the economic points are sometimes overlooked.

While Black said the NAACP has a boycott on the state, the NCAA won’t hold tournaments in the state of South Carolina because of the Confederate flag.

“A lot of people in the state don’t know they’re losing money from it,” Black said.  “We can be southern without the flag.”

With interests in advertising, marketing and public relations, Black had the opportunity to interview with companies while at the luncheon in New York. However, he said he is not entirely sure which direction he will go when he graduates.

“You never want to put yourself in one box,” Black said.

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