When I went to interview DeAndre Hicks, the 40th Mr. Langston University, I was sitting at the table outside of Moore Hall between the Greek monuments that we share. He is a man of Alpha Phi Alpha and I am a woman of Sigma Gamma Rho. That was our safe meeting ground: quiet, minimal interruptions, a peaceful environment for the both of us.
As he approached me at the table, he stopped by his personal organization’s monument to give honor to it, picking up trash that blew in from the wind and landed.
Hicks is a 3rd generation man of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity inc., and a 5th generation preacher. In conversation, he defined his platform, “Build off B.E.C.O.M.I.N.G.…Building Educated Confident Onward Thinking Men Intently Navigating Greatness… Trying to gauge where the next phase of Langston men will be.” He was inspired by the former first lady Michelle Obama’s book “Becoming.”
From his demeanor, he’s passionate about the word and works of God; ministry is full time for him, though he struggles with “unrealistic expectations our generation puts on me. You become more of the position and not the person… people don’t see your humanity.” His plans after college included taking a full ride offer to Yale Divinity where he plans to earn a Doctorate in Theology.
Growing up in the church, his style was always tailored to fit him and his personality. He didn’t wear his first pair of jeans til the 8th grade; that’s what inspired him to start his own tailoring/ suit line.
This in part inspired his latest project, 100 men in suits. He described how this movement was inspired by the past Mr. Langstons. Dillard’s donated three suits as well as many ties in support of this movement. “Every man who showed up, walked away with at least two ties… I was proud.” At the first event, 65 men showed up. At his next event during the homecoming season, he believes he is going to reach the full 100 men goal.
We were interrupted by a professor walking across the Greek plot. This threw both of us off; we discussed the need for more education of what to do to respect Greek ground.
Hicks was transparent on how this semester he hasn’t done the self-care he needs. Most of his days start at 9am and end at 12am.
“I’ve been pulled 45 different ways… I really haven’t had time to decompress.”
Despite the challenges, Hicks describes sees growth in himself. “Freshman year: unsure, ignorant and insecure. Now DeAndre: confident, transformed and ignited.”
Jordan Sinkfield
Staff Writer
Jordan Sinkfield is a sophomore broadcast journalism major.
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