Thunder Fellows impacts Tulsa students, off the court and after the program

All eyes are on the Thunder as they take on the Pacers tonight for game 4 of the NBA Finals.

Off the court, the Thunder organization has a program aimed at helping high school and college students.

Thunder Fellows Starting Its Fifth Year

"Thunder Fellows" is getting ready to start its fifth year.

The program started during the 100th anniversary of the Tulsa Race Massacre, in 2021, and aims to help young Black students get ready for college or a career.

In a classroom setting in downtown Tulsa, big dreams start to take shape for young minds.

"I say it often that we're trying to create an ecosystem here, right, an ecosystem of bright eyed, ambitious young people who are trying to elevate themselves, but one another as well,” Thunder Fellows Executive Director Cedric Ikpo said.

The Thunder Fellows program works with black high school juniors and seniors and college undergrads, from the Tulsa area. The program aims to get them ready for college or a career, while providing mentorship and connection with peers and industry leaders.

Impact on Tulsa Area Students

Elliot Oakley was a fellow during his junior year at Union.

"I can really say that Thunder Fellows changed the course of my high school career,” Oakley said. “Because I would have just stayed in the back, would have started relaxing more, would have got off the pedal and wouldn't have pushed as hard if I didn't go through Thunder Fellows."

He will be heading to OSU in the fall to major in Marketing, with an interest in being a content creator or entrepreneur.

"Every day was something new,” Mya-Nicole Anduze said.

She did the program during the 2022 school year. Anduze is now a Junior at OU, and wants to be an accountant.

Staying Connected

Thunder Fellows Executive Director Cedric Ikpo said the group lives by the mantra "Once a Fellow, always a Fellow" and stay connected even when the program is done.

"They always contact me, keep in touch, send me stuff, like opportunities and stuff like that. And they also like give me advice and try to encourage me to do my best,” Anduze said.

Elliot walked away from the program feeling more confident about himself, and he’s confident about the Thunder in the Finals. 

"I'm already ready to go to OKC and get in the parade,” he said. “I'm ready.”

Hundreds of students in the Tulsa area applied for the next year of the program. After interviews over the next couple weeks, those new fellows will be announced.