He walks the halls of the state Capitol, reading proposed legislation, meeting with concerned lobbyists and giving advice during session. Shoulders back, head up and one foot in front of the other, he walks in a building that would swallow many, but his determination, strong ambition, love for his community and bright smile makes him look larger than life.

State Rep. Jabar Shumate, former UOSA President from fall 1997 to spring 1998, is responsible for history-making changes at OU and in the Oklahoma House of Representatives where he represents District 73, a precinct that struggles with poverty, high drop-out rates and crime — the same area that he grew up in.

Shumate credits strong role models, influential educators and his mother with raising him in a supportive environment.

“The raising of a child is so important that it requires a village,” Shumate said. “Most of the folks I grew up around were my mom’s friends and they were educators. The whole community would wrap themselves around me so that I could never get too far out there.”

Shumate said the next key element of his success was his college education, something he said he still considers essential to any young person’s success in life.

Education was stressed in the their household, said Cleatte Shumate-Johnson, Shumate’s mother.

“College wasn’t an option,” Shumate-Johnson said. “The question would be ‘Where are you going to college?’ and never if.”

Once he arrived in Norman for his freshman year at OU in 1994, Shumate served as Couch Center president, a role he took seriously, he said.

The school tried to close the dorm for renovations, but Shumate organized protests to preserve a building that had become students’ refuge and home on campus. He said his impromptu meetings with OU President David Boren about Couch Center started him on the path that would eventually lead him to the UOSA presidency.

Hoping to continue a legacy that inspires others to become leaders, Shumate said he believes his opportunities should pave the way for someone else to follow.

Erick Harris, public administration graduate student, met Shumate while campaigning for state Sen. Judy Eason McIntyre in 2002.

“Like him, I’ve decided to dedicate myself to helping others through political and policy efforts,” Harris said. “Representative Shumate has and continues to lead the path for others like me to follow.”

Shumate said his interest in politics started at a young age. He ran for his first office — the presidency of his church’s usher board — when he was 5 years old. “I’ve always been fascinated by the Presidents of the United States,” Shumate said. “I’ve visited half of the presidential libraries that exist. I grew up thinking that I wanted to be the President of the United States.”

Although becoming the U.S. president is no longer a goal of his, Shumate said he is excited he got to see the first black president during his lifetime and assures that in 10 years he will still be connected to politics.

“If I had a dream job it would be to perhaps create a consulting firm where I could help folks in politics,” Shumate said. “I want to help manage campaigns for people I believe in because there are so few African Americans on the consulting side of politics.”

Shumate urged students to not get comfortable on the issues of race just because we see diversity everyday. He said race will still remain an issue until students continue to create dialogue about the racial issues.