15 Notable alumni of Oakwood University
Updated: June 15, 2026 EliteDegrees
Oakwood University is ranked #4,448 in the world and #1,156 in United States by aggregated alumni prominence. Below is the list of 15 notable alumni from Oakwood University sorted by their wiki pages popularity. The directory includes famous graduates and former students along with research and academic staff. Many individuals affiliated with Oakwood University won Nobel Prizes for Peace, in Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, and Economics.
1. Sylvia Rhue
1947-. (aged 79)
writer
film director
film producer
activist
Sylvia Rhue is an African-American writer, filmmaker, producer, and LGBT activist.
2. Ronald Brise
1974-. (aged 52)
politician
Ronald A. Brisé is a Democratic politician from Florida. He served in the Florida House of Representatives representing the 108th district, and as a commissioner for the Florida Public Service Commission. He is Haitian-American.
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3. Ron Oden
1950-. (aged 76)
politician
Ron Oden is an American politician. In November 2003, he was elected the first gay African-American mayor of Palm Springs, California, after serving eight years on the city council. He became the first Black openly gay man to be a mayor of a U.S. city. He was also "the first gay African-American elected to lead a California city." In December...
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4. Erica Thomas
1987-. (aged 39)
politician
Erica Renee Thomas is an American politician and youth leader. Thomas was the Georgia State Representative of District 39 from 2015 to 2023. She is also the founder of Speak Out Loud, a local nonprofit dedicated to giving a voice to foster children. She was recognized by the Georgia Center for Nonprofits (GCN), as a Nonprofit Leader and given the...
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5. Angela Brown
1962-. (aged 64)
opera singer
Angela M. Brown is an American dramatic soprano particularly admired for her portrayal of Verdi heroines.
6. Brian McKnight
1969-. (aged 57)
pianist
composer
actor
record producer
guitarist
Brian Kainoa Makoa McKnight Sr. is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, radio personality, and multi-instrumentalist. An R&B performer, he is recognized for his strong head voice, high belting range, and melisma.
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7. Eric Thomas
1970-. (aged 56)
motivational speaker
writer
businessperson
Eric D. Thomas is an American motivational speaker, author, consultant, and minister. Speeches by Thomas are popular on YouTube.
8. Leslie Pollard
1956-. (aged 70)
religious figure
Leslie N. Pollard is a Seventh-day Adventist minister, author, and administrator. He served as the president of Oakwood University from 2011 to 2025.
9. Delbert Baker
1953-. (aged 73)
Seventh-day Adventist minister
writer
Delbert W. Baker is a Seventh-day Adventist minister, author, educator, and administrator. Formerly the tenth president of Oakwood University and a vice president of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists (2010–2015), Baker is currently the vice chancellor of the Adventist University of Africa.
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10. Wintley Phipps
1955-. (aged 71)
singer
Wintley Augustus Phipps, Sr. is a Trinidadian-American singer, songwriter, record producer, minister, and founder of the U.S. Dream Academy, Songs of Freedom Publishing Company, and Coral Records Recording Company. He features a booming bass-baritone voice, usually singing inspirational gospel music. He is an ordained Seventh-day Adventist minister.
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11. Clifton Davis
1945-. (aged 81)
comedian
television actor
Christian minister
songwriter
stage actor
Clifton Duncan Davis is an American actor, singer, songwriter, minister, and author.
12. John F. Street
1943-. (aged 83)
politician
John Franklin Street is an American politician and lawyer who served as the 97th Mayor of the City of Philadelphia. He was first elected to a term beginning on January 3, 2000, and was re-elected to a second term beginning in 2004. He is a Democrat and became mayor after having served 19 years in the Philadelphia City Council, including...
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13. Barry Black
1948-. (aged 78)
chaplain
military officer
Seventh-day Adventist minister
Barry Clayton Black is the 62nd chaplain of the United States Senate. He began serving as Senate chaplain on June 27, 2003, becoming the first African American and first Seventh-day Adventist to hold the office.
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14. Stennett H. Brooks
1932-2008 (aged 76)
accountant
pastor
treasurer
Stennett H. Brooks was a pastor and the former president of the Northeastern Conference of Seventh-Day Adventist Churches. Prior to becoming the president, Brooks served as treasurer for more than 20 years. Brooks died of injuries sustained in a car accident on April 4, 2008. He received the United Negro College Fund Distinguished Alumnus Award that same year.
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15. Davido
1992-. (aged 34)
singer-songwriter
artist
record producer
musician
David Adedeji Adeleke, known professionally as Davido (listen), is a Nigerian-American singer, songwriter, and record producer. Davido was born in Atlanta, U.S, and raised in Lagos, Nigeria. He made his music debut as a member of the group KB International. Davido studied business administration at Oakwood University before dropping out to make beats and record vocal references. He rose to...
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