Morgan’s Student Government Association began its campaign season last week and held multiple events that would ultimately choose who would become the new Mister and Miss Morgan for the 2024-2025 academic year.

Candidates running for Mister and Miss Morgan participated in several campaign events, such as the Hot Seat, and the Candidates Corner. Both events allowed student voters to participate in the campaigning process and understand the goals of each candidate.

Many prospects used slogans to not only promote themselves, but what they hoped to accomplish should they win the crown.

The candidates for Mister Morgan are juniors Tyler Mitchell, Xavier Johnson and Xavier Washington. The Miss Morgan candidates are juniors Yasmine Bryant, Kiera Payne, Dariyah Pennix and Assata Allah-Shabazz.

“The importance of Miss Morgan is to represent your university no matter what,” said Pennix. “You hold yourself to a high standard and expectation, and you have to remember that you not only represent yourself but you also represent the university that feeds into you.”

Bryant also shared how Mister and Miss Morgan have specific duties that go beyond having the title.

“Essentially you’re the main representative for the student body, the university, in our community, and across the nation,” Bryant said. “Also a big part of Mister and Miss Morgan State is competing in national pageants such as the National Black Collegiate Association Pageant, and the Mister HBCU Pageant. Lastly, we also do community service, we are community leaders on behalf of the university.”

Tyler Mitchell

Mitchell, a junior political science major, said his observations about the Roman consulship — the second highest political office in ancient Rome that only lasted one year — influenced the way he views the Mister Morgan position as he would only be in office for a year.

“Before I came to Morgan, I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life. I was very directionless but after coming here and meeting so many amazing people, mentors and students alike … whether they be janitors or chief of staff, they have made me understand that I want my direction to be one of servitude,” said Mitchell. “I have a year to make as much of an impact as I want to, as I can, and as I have too. That is what I intend to do through my platform of reclaiming our power.”

Xavier Washington

Washington, a junior business administration major and the current Mister Junior, said ‘This Is It’ was his slogan. He said he was inspired by Michael Jackson and it serves as a way to remind students to make the most of their time at Morgan.

“We don’t have that much time to take action, but there are plenty of opportunities around you to make a difference for your community, career, and life,’’ Washington said.

Washington also said he’s grown as a person since he began his studies at the university as well as during his time as Mister Sophomore and Mister Junior for both the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 academic years respectively.

“I view myself as a testimony of overcoming fears and building confidence to pursue unimaginable dreams,” Washington said. “There’s so many people at our institution who stay inside their box and don’t take action to pursue their aspirations … I hope that my personable story connects and resonates with them enough to finally step outside their comfort zone and take action.’’

Dariyah Pennix

Pennix is a junior construction management major, and is running for Miss Morgan.

“The inspiration was just to inspire my peers to be their best selves and also to prepare them properly for the professional world that we will enter soon after,” Pennix said. “I want everyone to be able to have the same amount of perseverance and courage just to bet on themselves as they pursue their opportunities of growth.”

Xavier Johnson

Johnson, a junior civil engineering major, said he wanted to have a lasting impact if elected as Mister Morgan.

“I want my legacy to be that I was relatable, I listened to the people and did what they asked,” said Johnson. “I think a lot of the time many people in these positions make a lot of promises that they cannot keep and that’s when you get pushback from people. I want to be the man that would say, I advocated for the students well.’’

Yasmine Bryant

Junior Sociology Major Yasmine Bryant is a candidate running to become Miss Morgan and her slogan is “Becoming the Change.”

“The six pillars are cultivating leadership skills, honoring our heritage, trailblazing change makers of our history, advancing access for all, navigating challenges together in the face of emergency or university challenges, and the “G” — [which stands for] giving back with purpose,” said Bryant.

Kiera Payne 

Kiera Payne, a junior biology major and chemistry minor was inspired to go for the position of Miss Morgan after witnessing the 2022-2023 royal court. She also talked about how the homecoming shooting on Oct. 3, 2023 made her want to advocate for more safety measures.

“I was a transfer student and personally met Miss Kysha Hancock [2022-2023 Miss Morgan] at the Welcome Bridge. I observed how active they were in the community and what they do and it ignited my inspiration to go for this position,” said Payne. “After the incident it really ignited and fueled why I wanted to advocate for more safety.’’

Assata Allah-Shabazz

Assata Allah-Shabazz, a junior strategic communications major, chose a slogan about building an empire.

In an Instagram post, Shabazz wrote, “The Empire seeks to create a Morgan experience that is accessible and streamlined as much as possible. This also helps to make sure all of our Morgan bears can experience the best Morgan possible.”

Allah-Shabazz said will never forget one thing on her journey to become Miss Morgan.

“I’m already a student leader on campus. Just being able to have support behind me and this campaign has really meant a lot to me,” said Allah-Shabazz. “To have the community behind me. Just knowing that many people support me and my dream means a lot.”

Many students are excited about the elections while others question some of the changes previous student leadership have made.

Asianai Bostic, a freshman elementary education major, said she was unclear on SGA’s innerworkings and operations.

“In regards to SGA, I would like to see more of what they’re doing behind the scenes,” said Bostic. “As someone who is not in SGA, I have no idea what’s going on and I should know why I should vote for you instead of knowing what sports you’re in.”

Bostic added that she wants the future Mister and Miss to bring back a positive atmosphere to the campus.

“I see all of these videos of how [students] used to be in Jenkins having a good old time and it’s just not like that anymore,” said Bostic. “It’s very spread apart and it’s very cliquey. We have the HBCU feel and I love Morgan but I feel like it could be way better — and it used to be way better.”

Voting for Mister and Miss Morgan begins tonight at 10:00pm and ends Friday at noon.