Black Ex-Students of Texas
University of Texas Austin
About Black Ex-Students of Texas
The Black Ex-Students of Texas represents a thriving community rooted in nearly three decades of dedicated service to the University of Texas at Austin and its alumni. What began in 1998 as a grassroots networking initiative by Kevin Foster, Erik Spurlock, and Nikol Watts has blossomed into a comprehensive nonprofit organization serving the Dallas, TX region and beyond, with active chapters throughout Texas.
BEST's mission centers on proactive engagement with the African-American and Black community at UT Austin, emphasizing student enrollment, retention, and support. The organization is driven by five core pathways: increasing Black student enrollment and retention, establishing endowed scholarships, fostering participation in the broader Ex-Students Association, building camaraderie among alumni, and championing professional development opportunities.
What distinguishes BEST is its authentic commitment to community empowerment and legacy building. Since awarding its first scholarships in 2003, the organization has grown to support students through multiple funding mechanisms while celebrating the rich history and contributions of Black Longhorns. The organization recognizes that Black students, faculty, staff, and alumni face unique experiences and concerns, and BEST actively works to amplify these voices within university structures.
The community BEST has built extends far beyond Dallas, with chapters in Houston, San Antonio, Galveston County, and the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. Members gather for meaningful events including the Legacy Gala, homecoming celebrations, and the Red River Weekend, creating spaces where alumni can reconnect, support current students, and invest in the future. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, BEST embodies the principle that alumni engagement creates lasting positive change, transforming individual connections into institutional impact that benefits generations of Black students at the University of Texas.