Focus: Black Oklahoma

Dueling Visions for Oklahoma & the United States at the 2024 RNC & DNC In this special episode we reflect on the distinct political climates of the Republican and Democratic National Conventions held this year. In this special episode we highlight the contrasts of the two events: the RNC's urgent call to defend traditional American values and the DNC's optimistic vision for an inclusive future. Delves into how each party's platform impacts marginalized communities, women's reproductive rights, and Oklahoma's economic challenges. Through interviews with delegates and politicians, we show the stark differences in ideology and policy proposals between the two major parties with a particular focus on Oklahoma and Oklahomans. Focus: Black Oklahoma is produced in partnership with KOSU Radio and Tri-City Collective. Additional support is provided by The Commemoration Fund and Press Forward. This one hour special was made possible with support from KOSU Radio and Tri-City Collective. Special thanks to Rachel Hubbard, Ryan LaCroix, Robby Korth and Lori Walden. Special thanks to FBO correspondents Jamie Glisson and Shonda Little, who brought us this reporting on location in Milwaukee and Chicago. Our theme music is by Moffett (mawhfet) Music. Focus: Black Oklahoma’s executive producers are Quraysh Ali Lansana and Bracken Klar. Our associate producer is Jesse Ulrich. You can visit us online at KOSU.org, focusblackoklahoma.com, and on YouTube at Tri-City Collective. You can follow us on Instagram @FocusBlackOk and on Facebook at facebook.com/focusblackok. You can hear Focus: Black Oklahoma on demand for free at KOSU.org, the NPR app, NPR.org, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Greenwood Rising: The Rise of Black Wall Street is a new full-length motion picture that was released October 11th on the Fawesome and Future Today streaming platforms. This movie centers on O.W. Gurley, a visionary and trailblazing businessman whose hard work laid the foundation for Tulsa’s Greenwood District. The film’s director, Aaron L. Williams, and lead actress Fatima Marie, who plays Emma Gurley, spoke with FBO’s Cepeda Cheeks about the film.

On October 8, an Oklahoma City man who was born in Afghanistan was charged in federal court for an alleged terror plot. 27-year-old Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi faces one count of conspiring to conduct a terrorist attack, according to an affidavit filed by the FBI. While the story has made international news and went viral on social media, few are examining the potentially negative impact it could have on Oklahoma Muslims, including over 1,000 Afghan refugees who resettled in Oklahoma after the Taliban seized power. Shonda Little spoke with representatives from the Council on American-Islamic Relations and the Catholic Charities for the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City and Western Oklahoma about the positive impact this community brings to Oklahoma. In a state grappling with the boundaries of religion in public education, State Superintendent Ryan Walters' directive to incorporate Bible teaching in classrooms has sparked controversy and confusion. As schools reopen, the implementation of this mandate remains unclear, with educators, students, and religious leaders voicing diverse opinions on its appropriateness and constitutionality. Venson Fields has the story. ⁦Tuesday, November 5 as people across the country head to the polls to vote for President, and in other federal and local elections, history will be on the ballot in Tulsa. Monroe Nichols is running for mayor. FBO was at Nichols’s election watch party as the results came in showing Nichols had won the most votes in the mayoral primary. If he wins the vote on the first Tuesday in November, he will be the first Black Mayor of Tulsa in the city’s history. In the fall of 2020, Michael Hill, a Black citizen of the Cherokee Nation, woke up in the middle of the night to the sound of someone banging on the windows of his home. He called police for help, but the police arrested Michael in his own front yard. When trying to get his case heard in tribal court he was rejected because though he has tribal citizenship, he has no blood quantum and by federal law is not legally an Indian. His story is told in a newly released Audible Original documentary called Tribal Justice: The Struggle for Black Rights on Native Land, reported and written by two award-winning indigenous journalists, Allison Herrera and Adreanna Rodriguez. The following excerpt is the first installment of FBOs broadcast of the documentary. Ever been thrown from a horse? If you have, congratulations! You’ve just experienced the rodeo rite of passage: the ground’s unwavering embrace. It’s a lesson learned from Chaz Stephens’ father, a retired cowboy with a knack for sage advice and questionable humor. But while rodeos might seem like a wild ride of bucking broncos they’re also vibrant celebrations of Black culture, where community ties are as strong as calving ropes. Chaz Stephens brings us the first of a three part series on Oklahoma’s Black Rodeos This series, as well as a photo exhibition featuring Black Rodeo photos by Jamie & Richard Glisson of ImpressOK Studio, is funded by a grant from Oklahoma Humanities. Please visit rodeo.kosu.org and sign up to receive further details on the February 1st, 2025 exhibition opening event.

Opposition to Oklahoma State Superintendent Ryan Walters continues to grow, including among some Republican lawmakers. Allegations of abuses of office also continue to mount. Attorney General Gentner Drummond has now ordered an emergency opinion for Walters to immediately release security funds for schools. Shonda Little brings us an update on the impeachment battle and thoughts from lawmakers in support of removing Walters. This year, the two new Latinos who ran for seats in the Oklahoma legislature lost their races early in the election season. They’d hoped to use a new civic energy among immigrant communities to propel them into office. But as Lionel Ramos reports, that energy didn’t carry voters to the polls during this year’s June primaries. With high barriers to fostering children in the US, Muslim children are especially at risk of not receiving adequate support. With some children being fostered by non-Muslim parents or experiencing life in a non-Muslim society for the first time, some organizations are stepping up to ensure their needs are met. Here’s Zaakirah Muhammad with the final part of her three part series on foster care. The oldest continually-run Black rodeo in the U-S takes place each year in Okmulgee, Oklahoma. The Roy LeBlanc Okmulgee Invitational Rodeo draws competitors from across the country. This year hundreds of attendees watched events such as the “mutton busting competition”… where kids ride sheep…The “Pony Express”… a relay race on horseback… And the “ladies steer undecorating”… where horseback riders tear tape or ribbon off a steer. Anna Pope was at the invitational and brought back this audio postcard. This audio postcard was produced by KOSU’s Anna Pope for Harvest Public Media. Harvest Public Media is a collaboration of public media newsrooms in the Midwest and Great Plains including KOSU. In Enid, the Booker T Washington Community Center, once a segregated high school for Black students, is now gaining recognition as a vital community hub. Nominated for the National Register of Historic Places, this building, steeped in history since its construction, continues to serve as a beacon for local youth and a testament to resilience amid a legacy of segregation and inequality. Venson Fields has the story. You might remember this lesson from science class: for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. Cepeda Cheeks made sure a schoolyard bully learned this lesson with a hands-on experiment in this next story. Focus: Black Oklahoma is produced in partnership with KOSU Radio and Tri-City Collective. Additional support is provided by the Commemoration Fund. Our theme music is by Moffett Music. Focus: Black Oklahoma’s executive producers are Quraysh Ali Lansana and Bracken Klar. Our associate producers are Smriti Iyengar and Jesse Ulrich.

The Tulsa County Family Center for Juvenile Justice, or FCJJ, was raided on Friday morning July 12th. Investigators with several law enforcement agencies spent an entire day and night removing boxes and electronic equipment from the Center, located at 500 W Archer St. in Tulsa. Investigators have begun working under a warrant, issued by the Tulsa Police Department, with the goal of finding evidence related to two recent arrests of FCJJ staff and a federal lawsuit filed in May of this year. One of the most controversial issues that local candidates have been weighing on is the federal investigation surrounding allegations of physical and sexual abuse at the Tulsa County juvenile detention facility. A Focus: Black Oklahoma investigation looks into a potential conflict of interest regarding an Oklahoma City based company hired by Karen Keith’s mayoral campaign with ties to the state Office of Juvenile Affairs. Keith, who has served as one of three Tulsa County Commissioners since 2008, has touted the building of the FCJJ, which opened in 2019 in downtown Tulsa, as one of her great achievements as commissioner. For more information on these allegations, check back with us during September’s broadcast. Meantime, check out Oklahoma Appleseed Center for Law & Justice’s report titled Heinous Allegations: Abuses in Youth Custody in Tulsa County, Oklahoma at okappleseed.org/investigation-into-abuses-in-tulsa-county-juvenile. If your child has been hurt by any type of child abuse or trauma, contact Family & Children’s Services at 918-587-9471. Oklahoma State law requires every person, private citizen or professional, who has reason to believe that a child under the age of 18 is a victim of abuse or neglect, to immediately report the matter to the Department of Human Services. If you believe a child is being abused or neglected, call the Abuse and Neglect Hotline at 1-800-522-3511. Focus: Black Oklahoma is produced in partnership with KOSU Radio and Tri-City Collective. Additional support is provided by the Commemoration Fund. Our theme music is by Moffett Music. Focus: Black Oklahoma’s executive producers are Quraysh Ali Lansana and Bracken Klar. Our associate producers are Smriti Iyengar and Jesse Ulrich.

Tulsans will head to the voting booths on August 27th to choose a new mayor in a non-partisan, general election. Two-term incumbent mayor G.T. Bynum has declined to seek re-election to a third term in office. This segment covers some of the seven mayoral candidates' remarks at two recent public forums. One of the most controversial issues that local candidates have been weighing on is the federal investigation surrounding allegations of physical and sexual abuse at the Tulsa County juvenile detention facility. An Focus: Black Oklahoma investigation looks into a potential conflict of interest regarding an Oklahoma City based company hired by Karen Keith’s mayoral campaign with ties to the state Office of Juvenile Affairs. With Oklahoma ranking in the bottom 10 states for education and child well-being, teachers, administrators, and elected officials responsible for affecting these outcomes are under increasing levels of scrutiny. At the center of it all is State Superintendent Ryan Walters. Here's Shonda Little with details. At the Indigenous Roots Symposium representatives from various tribes united to share resources and foster education, highlighting the strength of intertribal collaboration. The event showcased a commitment to preserving Native American history and culture, with discussions centered on the importance of navigating the complexities of tribal identity and heritage. Francia Allen has the story. A collaborative initiative known as the 111 Project is leveraging technology and community engagement to address the child welfare crisis. By partnering with over 700 churches and utilizing the CarePortal platform, the project aims to connect families in need with vital resources, ensuring that every child has the support of a family. Zaakirah Muhammad shares details in part two of her three part series on the foster care system. Focus: Black Oklahoma is produced in partnership with KOSU Radio and Tri-City Collective. Additional support is provided by the Commemoration Fund. Our theme music is by Moffett Music. Focus: Black Oklahoma’s executive producers are Quraysh Ali Lansana and Bracken Klar. Our associate producers are Smriti Iyengar and Jesse Ulrich. Gabby Requer is our production assistant.

The Tulsa County Family Center for Juvenile Justice, or FCJJ, was raided on Friday morning July 12th. Investigators with several law enforcement agencies spent an entire day and night removing boxes and electronic equipment from the Center, located at 500 W Archer St. in Tulsa. In Oklahoma City, frustration mounts as state officials highlight a $400 million dollar, funding shortfall for Langston University, the state's only Historically Black College & University. Despite a $5 billion dollar State budget surplus, Langston continues to receive a fraction of the support given to other state universities, prompting renewed calls for equitable funding. Anthony Cherry has details. In Oklahoma, where over 9,000 children are in foster care, Quinton and Danielle Melton have opened their hearts and home to more than 35 foster kids since 2016. For this Tulsa couple, it's about creating lasting memories and providing stability during uncertain times. Their journey reflects a broader effort to support foster children through innovative initiatives and community engagement. Zaakirah Muhammad has the story. Tulsa bid Kamren Larsen, the first Black BMX Olympian, farewell in style. USA BMX hosted a send-off party at their headquarters on July 16th, offering fans a final chance to meet and cheer on four of the five Olympians before they departed for France to compete for gold. Larsen sat down with FBO to share his excitement about this historic first. Jazz legend Freda Payne will be at Tulsa’s The Church Studio July 27th for a book signing of her new biography “Band of Gold.” Payne spoke with FBO’s Quraysh Ali Lansana about her legacy and the upcoming event. Focus: Black Oklahoma is produced in partnership with KOSU Radio and Tri-City Collective. Additional support is provided by the Commemoration Fund. Our theme music is by Moffett Music. Focus: Black Oklahoma’s executive producers are Quraysh Ali Lansana and Bracken Klar. Our associate producers are Smriti Iyengar and Jesse Ulrich. Gabby Requer is our production assistant.

We are releasing this interview ahead of the full podcast so fans and fans-in-the-making will have time to listen before the Paris 2024 Olympic BMX Racing events, which begin on August 1st and finish on August 2nd. Tulsa bid Kamren Larsen, the first Black BMX Olympian, farewell in style. Although this will be his first Olympic competition, Kam is an accomplished rider, having won gold at the 2023 Pan American Games. USA BMX hosted a send-off party at their headquarters, located in the historic Greenwood district, on July 16th. Fans were offered a final chance to meet and cheer on four of the five Olympians before Team USA departed to compete for gold in the Paris Olympics. Larsen sat down with FBO to share his excitement about this historic first. Focus: Black Oklahoma is produced in partnership with KOSU Radio and Tri-City Collective. Additional support is provided by the Commemoration Fund. Our theme music is by Moffett Music. Focus: Black Oklahoma’s executive producers are Quraysh Ali Lansana and Bracken Klar. Our associate producers are Smriti Iyengar and Jesse Ulrich. Special shout out to The bART Center for Music for granting us temporary residence to produce this podcast.

In May, Governor Kevin Stitt signed House Bill 4156, the controversial immigration legislation, into state law. The United States Justice Department reacted quickly by keeping its promise to file a lawsuit deeming the measure unconstitutional under the Supremacy clause. Proponents and opponents agree the law will drastically change the landscape of immigration in Oklahoma. As Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond prepares to defend House Bill 4156 in federal court and the federal government prepares to react days later in the same court, Shonda Little brings us statements from those fighting on both sides. In workplaces across the nation, many women quietly struggle with menstrual health issues that affect their well-being and productivity. Despite the impact of menstrual pain and the stigma that often surrounds it, necessary support and facilities like private restrooms and free sanitary products are often lacking. This gap highlights the urgent need to destigmatize menstruation and adopt more inclusive workplace policies. Zaakirah Muhammed has the story. Whether it's finding purpose, developing new skills, or giving back to the community that once cheered them on, Beyond the Ball is there to ensure that no athlete is left behind, reminding them that the game may have ended, but their journey has just begun. Anthony Cherry has more. Retirement usually signals a shift towards leisure, but for Katherine Penny Mitchell and Deborah J. Hunter, it marked the beginning of a new chapter in the Tulsa art scene. Mitchell now crafts stunning jewelry, including a permanent art installation at Vernon AME Church and Hunter has embraced spoken word, collaborating across genres. Their bold reinvention inspires women reimagining their own retirements. Here’s Francia Allen. The Legacy Open Rodeo on June 29th will be produced by Oklahoma's only female rodeo producer. Tiffany Guess spoke with FBO’s Jamie Glisson about how she got started in rodeo and what she hopes her legacy will be. Have you noticed the rising prices of, like- EVERYTHING these days?? Sondra Slade shares her unique perspective on gas and egg prices that blends humor with the practical realities of managing a household budget and the subtle ways in which rising costs influence family life and decision-making. Focus: Black Oklahoma is produced in partnership with KOSU Radio and Tri-City Collective. Additional support is provided by the Commemoration Fund. Our theme music is by Moffett Music. Focus: Black Oklahoma’s executive producers are Quraysh Ali Lansana and Bracken Klar. Our associate producers are Smriti Iyengar and Jesse Ulrich. Gabby Requer is our production assistant.

The Federal Communications Commission, or FCC, considers a new way to alert the public when adults go missing. The tool looks a lot like the Kasey alerts that launched five months ago as a way to address the Missing & Murdered Indigenous People, or MMIP, crisis in Oklahoma. Both are similar to the AMBER alert & Silver alert system. KOSU / OPMX’s Sarah Liese reports on how the Kasey alert system is doing & what the new FCC tool could mean for Indigenous Nations throughout the U.S. At the end of April, Governor Kevin Stitt signed Senate Bill 1854 into law, criminalizing homelessness with the potential to incur misdemeanors & face a possible 15 days in jail. The new law, taking effect in November, does not provide new funding for housing Oklahomans without shelter. While Stitt & some Republicans tout the bill as a means for public protection, some Democrats say it will only amplify the problems unhoused Oklahomans face as well as add to already overburdened & overcrowded jails across the state. Shonda Little speaks with State Representative Forrest Bennett & a former unhoused Oklahoman about the law. During the pandemic, schools received a big boost from the federal government through the Elementary & Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund, or ESSER Fund. ESSER Funds are scheduled to end soon. StateImpact’s Beth Wallis reports, when that money ends, so may the after-school programs made possible by those funds. The recent recall election of Judd Blevins in Enid, which received national attention for his alleged ties with Nazi & white supremacist groups, led to a win for Republican challenger, Cheryl Patterson. All while Garfield County gears up for elections to be held on June 18. The Garfield County District One Commissioner seat is open- current Commissioner Marc Bolz stepped down. Three candidates are running for that position; Chris Bigbey, Assistant Lead County Foreman & Assistant Volunteer Fire Chief in Covington sat down with Venson Fields, while Joe Kegin & Jamie Hedges did not respond to an interview request. In the race for Garfield County Court Clerk, the current Court Clerk, Janelle Sharp, was run against challenger Kathy Voth, the current Accounts Manager for the Garfield County Criminal Justice Authority. Voth discusses her first campaign experience & what made her decide to run for office with Fields. Sharpe was unavailable for comment. Colon cancer is a major concern, especially for higher risk groups, like BIPOC communities. Zaakirah Muhammad speaks with local experts Dr. Christina Booth, University of Oklahoma's Associate Professor of Surgery & Chris Evans, president of the Colon Cancer Coalition, who emphasize early detection & addressing risk factors. While Katherine Anderson, the virtual director at City of Hope (formerly known as Cancer Treatment Centers of America), & Dee Terrell, Associate Professor at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, & Assistant Dean at the Hudson College of Public Health, & Alana Woodson, Dallas based co-creator at the Rare Company Collective speak about the colon cancer experience & mitigation. Thinking about protecting the environment, most of us focus on nature- plants, animals, ecosystems... For Michelle Cullom, it goes deeper. She sees it as protecting human life & spirit. From childhood vacations, bomb biscuits, & family rivalries, she connects everything through the nurturers keeping her safe. Michelle's story shows how maternal protectors guided her sometimes "boujee" journey. Focus: Black Oklahoma is produced in partnership with KOSU Radio and Tri-City Collective. Additional support is provided by the Commemoration Fund. Our theme music is by Moffett Music. Focus: Black Oklahoma’s executive producers are Quraysh Ali Lansana and Bracken Klar. Our associate producers are Smriti Iyengar and Jesse Ulrich.

After Oklahoma voters decisively passed State Question 802 in 2020, mandating expansion of Oklahoma's Medicaid coverage to low-income citizens similar to the Affordable Care Act, Governor Kevin Stitt has worked to privatize the joint federal and state run healthcare program. As SoonerCare transitions to SoonerSelect, on April 1, 2024, the program will be operated by three private companies; Aetna Better Health of Oklahoma, Humana Healthy Horizons, and Oklahoma Complete Health. As of March 10th, the Oklahoma Health Care Authority, or OCHA, began auto-assigning members who had not selected their new plans. Shonda Little speaks with Jared Deck, State Representative for House District 44 in Norman and JeKia Harrison, President of the Young Democrats of Oklahoma, and a lifelong resident of northeast Oklahoma City to learn more about this transition and the concerns held by some about this change. In a groundbreaking achievement Traci Manuel, who both attended and taught at Booker T. Washington High School in Tulsa, has etched her name into Oklahoma history books, becoming the first African American educator to claim the prestigious title of Teacher of the Year. Anthony Cherry speaks with her and Milton Dean III. Dean has been in education for 16 years with Tulsa Public Schools. He currently serves at Street School, a nonprofit, alternative, therapeutic based school. Before that he spent four years at the Juvenile Detention Center, also known as the Tulsa County Family Center for Juvenile Justice to share more about Manuel's remarkable journey, from her teaching career to her statewide advocacy for a more inclusive and effective education system. Rebecca Marks Jimerson, the Commemorative Chair and Special Projects Chair of the Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration Society, has a decade-long commitment to honoring Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy. Recently in Tulsa Jimerson produced a powerful partnership with the Jewish Federation of Tulsa, Circle Cinema, the Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office, and the National Association of Black Journalists which shed light on the intertwined histories of Black people and Jewish people through a documentary entitled Shared Legacies: The African American-Jewish Civil Rights Alliance, directed by Jewish filmmaker, Dr. Shari Rogers of Detroit. Through her film she provides verbal accounts of how Dr. King and the Civil Rights Movement were able to move forward with some of this momentum helped by support of allies of the interfaith community even coming together with Dr. King in the marches for equality. This included footage of Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel and other rabbis who were seen close to the front of several marches with Dr. King. This collaboration serves as a call to contemporary social justice movements to unite and continue Dr. King's vision of equality. Francia Allen attended the screening and speaks with Jimerson, Brae Riley, a board member and Chair of the Social Justice Sub-Committee of the Jewish Federation of Tulsa, and Ryan Thomas, the lead film programmer at Circle Cinema to expand on this powerful cooperation. To connect with the Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration Society visit mlktulsa.com, circlecinema.org for Circle Cinema, and the Jewish Federation of Tulsa at jewishtulsa.org. This story is part of a series exploring the relationship between the Black American community and the Jewish community in Tulsa. The series is sponsored by the Frank Family Foundation as a part of Tri-City Collective’s Acknowledge Oklahoma or A-OK project. As the number of Holocaust survivors dwindles, the Tulsa Council for Holocaust Education is hosting the 26th Annual Yom HaShoah: An...

This is a podcast special episode that combines three segments of our ongoing coverage of health inequities, especially as it relates to Black and Brown women. In the first story (originally aired on episode one in January 2021) Dr. Autumn Brown speaks with women who have experienced the trauma many Black women face during the process of childbirth. She speaks with Marnie Jackson and Laba Williams, Executive Director of the Tulsa Birth Equity Initiative. In the second segment (originally aired on episode eight in August 2021) Britny Cordera explores the shared connections between Black and Native American women in their traditional birth practices and the practice of doulas. She speaks with Jaysha Lyons Echo Hawk, who is a two-spirit mother, birth worker, graduate student, and founder of Indigenous Milk Medicine Week. They are an enrolled member of the Seminole Nation and descendant of the Pawnee, Iowa, Omaha, and Creek Tribes. Britny also speaks with Ziara Kyre York who was brought to this doula activism through the George Floyd and Breonna Taylor stories. Finally we hear from Dr. Jabraan Pasha whose story originally aired on episode 26 in February of 2023. Dr. Pasha reconnects our listeners to Tulsa Birth Equity Initiative. This time Omare Jimmerson is Executive Director, taking over that position in September of 2022. Before Joining TBEI she served as Deputy Director for Tulsa Parks. Dr. Pasha also speaks with doula Ashlee Wilson. Focus: Black Oklahoma is produced in partnership with KOSU Radio and Tri-City Collective. Additional support is provided by the the Commemoration Fund. Our theme music is by Moffett Music. Focus: Black Oklahoma’s executive producers are Quraysh Ali Lansana and Bracken Klar. Our associate producers are Smriti Iyengar and Jesse Ulrich. Daryl Turner is our production intern.

The United States has been at the forefront of the global war on terror for more than two decades. Now one Oklahoma lawmaker, District 19 Republican State Representative Justin Humphrey, proposed House Bill 3133 seeking to expand that conflict by introducing a bill to designate people of Hispanic descent as “terrorists” if they’re convicted of certain crimes. Francia Allen speaks with Francisco Treviño of Casa de la Cultura and Blanca Zavala to examine the proposed bill and the amended version. Venson Fields takes us to Enid where voters preparing for a heated city council election. Allegations of white supremacist ties emerged and swirl around Commissioner Judd Blevins of Ward 1. The white supremacist allegations include Nazi ties to a white supremacy group, Identity Evropa. That group has been designated as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center, or SPLC and a white supremacist group by the Anti-Defamation League, or ADL. Identity Evropa participated in the Charlottesville “Unite the Right” rally in August of 2017 where three lives were taken and dozens more injured. Led by Reverend Father James Neal of the Orthodox Catholic Church of America, at the Holy Cross-Enid parish and Kristi Balden, chairperson of the Enid Social Justice Committee and one of three incorporators of the Enid LGBTQ Plus Coalition. Balden credits Connie Vickers, Nancy Presnell, and Lanita Norwood for the research that turned up the ties and the Enid Social Justice Committee for mounting a campaign for Blevins's recall, aiming to confront hate in the community. The recall election will take place on 2 April 2024 and will pit recalled commissioner Blevins against Cheryl Patterson who has served on many public boards and committees in the past including the Enid Public School Board, the Enid Public School Foundation, the Human Services Alliance, and Foster Grandparents Board. On February 26, Texas’s largest wildfire broke out north of Stinnett in the panhandle. The next day the Smokehouse Creek fire crossed into Western Oklahoma, resulting in damaged property and the evacuation of multiple communities. The efforts of containment are being lead primarily by local volunteer fire departments with little budgetary help from the state of Oklahoma. Shonda Little speaks with survivors. The fire has amassing nearly 1.1 million acres to date and the fire is considered 89% contained. The National Weather Service and emergency management officials caution that embers and continued high winds could easily result in new fires that stem from it. Two human fatalities have been reported along with at least 3,600 dead cattle and that number is expected to grow. Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller speaking with the New York Times said "just my prediction, but it will be 10,000 that will have died or will have to be euthanized." In Oklahoma Ellis and Roger Mills counties and the communities of Gage, Shattuck, Durham, and parts of Reydon were evacuated. Approximately 100,000 acres of western Oklahoma have burned. the deadly fire is now believed to be from a downed powerline, a constant threat during the area’s high fire risk days due to drought conditions. Xcel Energy said in a statement released on March 14th that "our facilities appear to have been involved in the ignition of the Smokehouse Creek Fire.” Shonda Little talks with Levi Blacketter the emergency management director for Roger Mills County, Derek Wood, and Kristal Slavin to relay more details from those living in the impacted areas. The Oklahoma Eagle, the 10th oldest Black-owned newspaper in the United States still publishing at 101 years old, has engaged in a new initiative to develop stronger relationships with its readers: The Trusting News Project. This is a campaign spearheaded by the Oklahoma Media Center in partnership with The Ecosystem Engagement Project. Oklahoma Eagle Managing Editor Gary Lee explains the goals of the project. The 25th White Privilege...

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid program, or FAFSA, is undergoing significant changes, resulting in a critical need for college counselors. High School counselors help navigate changes which are vital for students facing the complexities of college admissions and financial aid. Anthony Cherry speaks with Jennifer Sack and Erica Walker. Sack is the lead school counselor at Booker T. Washington High School in Tulsa and currently holds the honor of Oklahoma State School Counselor of the Year. Sack advanced to become one of the five finalists considered by the American School Counselor Association for the National School Counselor of the Year. Walker is the lead counselor at Will Rogers College High School, also in Tulsa. In the U.S., homeownership is the largest driver of wealth creation for families. Yet, homeownership rates for Native Americans lag 15% behind their white American counterparts. Two Oklahoma realtors, Cori Taber (also a realtor in Arizona) and Ashley Daily, are devoting their careers to helping indigenous people utilize programs through the federal government and tribal nations to close the gap. Tabor is a 2SLGBTQIA+ woman descendant of three tribes — the Osage, Muskogee Creek, and Cherokee who is also a descendant of enslaved Africans. Daily grew up on the Osage Reservation and also identifies as Latina. Shonda Little breaks this all down. The 'Beyond Apology' report, released in early 2024, opens dialogue on the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, fostering community engagement and emphasizing the need for reparative justice. These discussions and the resulting recommendations aim to collectively shape a more equitable future for Black Tulsans, acknowledging past injustices while seeking tangible solutions for healing and reparations. Greg Robinson, Bernice Alexander, and City Councilor Vanessa Hall-Harper further detail the report and its potential. Carlos Moreno has details. Retinoblastoma, a rare but aggressive eye cancer affecting children, challenges the way cells develop in the retina. Treatment options hinge on early detection, which creates disparities in health outcomes in lower socioeconomic populations with limited access to healthcare. Zaakirah Muhammad speaks with Marissa Gonzalez, president of the U.S. chapter of World Eye Cancer Hope, Melissa Mills, a part-time genetic counselor at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford University, and Dr. Jesse Berry of Children's Hospital Los Angeles and the Roski Eye Institute also in L.A., to bring us new details and help us understand Retinoblastoma. In Checotah, summers with Sondra Slade’s grandparents were filled with laughter, life lessons, and a humorous mix-up about "Arthur?" This tale encapsulates the essence of childhood innocence, the strength of family bonds, and the enduring love that weaves through generations - plus drop biscuits! Focus: Black Oklahoma is produced in partnership with KOSU Radio and Tri-City Collective. Additional support is provided by the Commemoration Fund. Our theme music is by Moffett Music. Focus: Black Oklahoma’s executive producers are Quraysh Ali Lansana and Bracken Klar. Our associate producers are Smriti Iyengar and Jesse Ulrich. Our production intern is Daryl Turner.

Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt's recent executive order aims to cut state funding for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) personnel, sparking debate about the future of these programs. Shonda Little speaks with Oklahoma Democratic Chair Alicia Andrews and Jacob Rosecrants- Oklahoma House of Representatives from the 46th district. Some believe part of the solution is ensuring more white men are speaking about the value of such programs though a consensus is far from unanimous. During the summer of 2023, Oklahoma experienced its highest heat index ever recorded - 126 degrees Fahrenheit. One method scientists are using to learn how to best adapt to climate change is called heat mapping. Last summer, Britny Cordera joined a team of scientists, including Sarah Terry-Cobo- Oklahoma City's associate planner for the office of sustainability, Hongwan Li- assistant professor in the College of Public Health at the University of Oklahoma, Joey Williams- CAPA, or Climate Adaption Planning and Analytics, Heat Watch, and Andy Savastino- Sustainability Office in Kansas City, Missouri, on a heat mapping project funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA. Cordera follows up now the findings and analysis have been released. Since the October seventh, 2023 Hamas terrorist attack in Israel, the Israeli Defense Force’s ongoing campaign in Gaza has dominated headlines around the world, eliciting polarized reactions globally, including here in Oklahoma. Written Quincey visited Israel and Palestine in early 2023 and shares his perspective based on personal experience and conversation with Dillon O'Carroll, AKA 'JYD.' Joy Harvey and Dr. Shavonda Pannell, two black women with gaps in their teeth, share their experiences of self-acceptance in a society that often overlooks such features. Francia Allen recalls the only representation she saw growing up was a white model named Lauren Hutton, who recently closed her gap. These stories emphasize the need for broader inclusivity and recognition in beauty standards, highlighting the slow but growing acceptance of diverse physical attributes. Tulsa's Greenwood District is a burgeoning epicenter of hip-hop, led by artists like Mr. Burns- AKA 'Earl Hazard' when he fronted the band Freak Juice, Manifess Greatness, and 9 Milla. Each with decades in the scene, they blend personal struggles with creative expression, shaping Tulsa's hip-hop legacy and cultural identity. Anthony Cherry tells us the story of these local musical pioneers. Focus: Black Oklahoma is produced in partnership with KOSU Radio and Tri-City Collective. Additional support is provided by the Commemoration Fund. Our theme music is by Moffett Music. Focus: Black Oklahoma’s executive producers are Quraysh Ali Lansana and Bracken Klar. Our associate producers are Smriti Iyengar and Jesse Ulrich. Our production intern is Daryl Turner.

Lee Anne Bruce Boone takes over as the new director of the Oklahoma Ethics Commission amid challenges of inadequate funding and tackling 'dark money' in politics, a concern highlighted by her predecessor Ashley Kemp and Democratic leaders. Shonda Little has details. Carlos Moreno introduces us to Nem Lun, a (Zomi) Myanmar immigrant, and the new Immigrant Affairs Manager with the City of Tulsa, who brings her own experiences of seeking freedom and safety to the role. Carlos Moreno shares more. Severe weather damaged thousands of trees in the Tulsa area earlier this year. A million cubic yards of green waste was collected, and many trees were bent or broken. Britny Cordera reports on how the community is coming together to regrow the city’s urban tree canopy. Jasmine Biver-Smith explores the growing trend among African Americans reconnecting with their heritage, inspired by Ghana's 'Year of Return.' This initiative marks 400 years since the African diaspora began and has reignited interest in understanding ancestral roots. In part 2 of this series, we highlight Ashley Yearby, who is planning a journey to Africa, in hopes of inspiring others to discover their ancestry and celebrate the deep ties between Africa and its global diaspora. Allison Herrera has two stories that tie in local Native American issues and initiatives to the movie Killers of the Flower Moon, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro, Lily Gladstone, and features many Oklahomans in other rolls. The movie is directed by Martin Scorsese and based on the book by David Grann. The book tells the story of the Osage Reign of Terror, which tool place in Oklahoma. Scorsese shot much of the film on location. Herrera reports from Pawhuska and Fairfax. In spite of the dark and cold, winter has a reputation for being the most wonderful time of the year thanks to the influx of holiday cheer. Without confirming or denying her presence on the Naughty List, Sondra Slade tells the story of the year her Christmas was a wrapper’s delight. Focus: Black Oklahoma is produced in partnership with KOSU Radio, Tulsa Artist Fellowship, and Tri-City Collective. Additional support is provided by the George Kaiser Family Foundation and the Commemoration Fund. Our theme music is by Moffett Music. Focus: Black Oklahoma’s executive producers are Quraysh Ali Lansana and Bracken Klar. Our associate producers are Smriti Iyengar and Jesse Ulrich. Our production intern is Shi Brown.

Hosts Arielle Davis and Kolby Webster introduce this episode of Focus: Black Oklahoma, our second broadcast. This originally aired on KWGS in March of 2020. In our first story, we learn what Hunger Free Oklahoma is doing to keep children across the state fed amongst the many disruptions of the COVID 19 crisis. Executive Director Chris Bernard takes us through the connections from food insecurity to the school to prison pipeline, health outcomes, college and career readiness, and disease prevention. Find out more at mealsforkidsok.org & hungerfreeok.org. With the Tulsa Race Massacre Centennial Anniversary on the horizon, and Mayor G. T. Bynum's commitment to uncover the mass graves that resulted from the massacre. Many Tulsans are experiencing polarized responses for how the city can move forward in a way that honors descendants and Black Tulsans who live with the aftermath of a destroyed community. Crystal Patrick speaks with Rev. Robert Turner (who was at historic Vernon AME Church at the time the story aired) about the complexities. Allison Ikley-Freeman is running for re-election in Oklahoma State Senate District 37. District 37 includes parts of Jenks, Sand Springs, and Tulsa. Ikley-Freeman was first elected in 2017 during a special election. With deep roots in Tulsa, Ikley-Freeman's parents are McLain grads who still live in Sperry, Ikley-Freeman spent formative years in Turley. [As of the publication of this remastered podcast, Ikley-Freeman now goes by Taten Freeman] Richard Baxter, also known as Negro Spiritual 121, is a formerly justice involved paralegal and activist. who has recently embarked on a unique campaign to help North Tulsa residents. Continuing our international coverage of intimate partner violence, we explore simple solutions to combat the issue. Here is Kristi Eaton reporting from a Somalian region in Ethiopia. Could discussion over tea help prevent intimate partner violence in refugee settings? That's what two researchers, Dr. Vandana Sharma and Dr. Jennifer Scott, from Harvard University schools are trying to find out. Musically, there are two worlds in Tulsa. The Tulsa sound, Leon Russell, J. J. Cale, and Paul Benjamin. Then there's the soul, composed of rhythm and blues, a southern touch of spirit, of call and response, and harmonious ballads. Talent, like the Gap Band, Full Flava Kings, and Fay and Bobby Moffett all of whom represent some of the artists not given the same invitation to the Tulsa Sound table. Written Quincy considers this in the second installment of his series on performing artists in Tulsa, discrimination, and what he calls the Brown Code. Just Mercy, directed by Destin Daniel Creighton, is a film and number one bestselling true story of a man, Walter McMillan, portrayed by Jamie Foxx, who was wrongly convicted and incarcerated in 1980s Alabama. Through this story we find out about the Equal Justice Initiative, founded by the book's author Bryan Stevenson, played by Michael B Jordan. Other stand out performances include Herbert Richardson, portrayed in the film by Rob Morgan, and Oklahoma's own Tim Blake Nelson's performance of Ralph Myers. Focus Black Oklahoma film reviewer, Devin Williams, has our review. Focus: Black Oklahoma is produced in partnership by Public Radio Tulsa, the Tulsa Artist Fellowship, and Tri-City Collective and is broadcast from the studios of Public Radio Tulsa on the campus of the University of Tulsa. Our theme music is by Moffat Music. Our contributing music artist on this broadcast is Malachi Burgess (Mali Music, Mali Motives). Additional music is contributed by Two Piece. The executive producers of Focus: Black Oklahoma are Quraysh Ali Lansana and Scott Gregory. The Associate Producers are Bracken Klar and Ali Shaw. Focus: Black Oklahoma is produced in partnership with KOSU Radio, Tulsa Artist Fellowship, and Tri-City Collective. Additional support is provided by the...

People across the country of all religious faiths and cultural ethnicities are rallying in support of a ceasefire in Palestine. This month, Oklahomans Against Occupation held two events in an effort to raise awareness about the tragic battle for Gaza. Here’s Britny Cordera. In a landmark ruling with far-reaching implications, a Muskogee Nation District Judge in Oklahoma granted citizenship to two descendants of enslaved Africans, historically known as Creek Freedmen. This decision, aligning with the tribe's Treaty of 1866, not only overturns previous denials of their applications but also sets a precedent for acknowledging the rights of hundreds of other Freedmen descendants. Here’s Carlos Moreno with the ruling. In the face of a steep decline in Black, Indigenous, and People Of Color, or BIPOC, farmers in the United States, a young Black woman is determined to reverse the trend by spearheading an initiative to provide scholarships for BIPOC students aspiring to careers in agriculture. Shonda Little interviews Neleh Anderson and Jekia Harrison to bring us this story. In the spirit of Sankofa, looking back to move forward, Jasmine Bivar-Smith shares a deeply personal journey of discovery and connection. With friends like Carlisha Williams Bradley and Jeanette Biles, Jasmine’s story is a testament to the power of exploring one's roots and grappling with the profound impact of connecting with one's heritage. After decades of being closed, Tulsa’s Big 10 Ballroom celebrated its reopening with a tribute concert dedicated to Gap Band founding member, Ronnie Wilson. Taking their name from Greenwood, Archer, and Pine streets, Wilson founded the band with his brothers, Charlie Wilson and Robert Wilson, in 1967. Shi Brown sat with Wilson’s widow Linda Boulware-Wilson to discuss Ronnie and the Gap Band’s legacy. Focus: Black Oklahoma is produced in partnership with KOSU Radio, Tulsa Artist Fellowship, and Tri-City Collective. Additional support is provided by the George Kaiser Family Foundation and the Commemoration Fund. Our theme music is by Moffett Music. Focus: Black Oklahoma’s executive producers are Quraysh Ali Lansana and Bracken Klar. Our associate producers are Smriti Iyengar and Jesse Ulrich. Our production intern is Shi Brown.

Hosts Arielle Davis and Kolby Webster introduce Focus: Black Oklahoma in this, our first broadcast originally aired on KWGS in February of 2020. Webster kicks of the show examining how gentrification, eminent domain, big strategic land buys and more are affecting Tulsa's downtown and adjacent neighborhoods with Becky Gligo, the housing policy director for the city of Tulsa mayor's office, touch on the basics of connecting neighbors, organizing, the characteristics of strong neighborhoods, and addressing their concerns. Public discourse about immigration often suggests that DACA recipients are only people who entered the U.S. unlawfully from Central America. While nearly 700,000 reported DACA recipients are from Central American countries, nearly 100,000 are not. Approximately 5,000 are from countries in Africa. While the conversation can be contentious, not every immigrant has the same backstory or point of origin, as we hear in this next piece from Anissa West. Listen to the moving, true story of a formerly incarcerated woman and how she is working to change the prison system for other women. The state of Oklahoma leads the nation in the number of incarcerated women. Crystal Patrick brings us this piece. Mass incarceration is a national crisis. Oklahoma incarcerates more men and women than any other state. Tulsa introduced legislation to reduce the rates at which black Tulsans are arrested and incarcerated. Mika Nicole brings us a story on what Oklahoma is and is not doing on the municipal level to address this issue. When discussing incarceration, things can sometimes become overwhelming and abstract-- because we're talking about numbers, statistics, and raw data. We now move away from the abstraction to introduce you to two Black men who were incarcerated for over 20 years for crimes they did not commit. Negro Spiritual 121 has the story. Next, the first in a series of stories from contributor Kristi Eaton on the power of podcasting to transform torn communities. She speaks with Somali refugees and the Harvard professors behind a newly created podcast. Kojo Asamoah Caesar has entered his name into the District 1 Congressional race. If elected, he would become the first Black person to hold that office. Kojo discussed his plans to strengthen communities by retaining untapped talent with Focus Black Oklahoma's Bracken Klar. Over the last few years Black women across the nation are starting more businesses than any other group. In Tulsa, they are opening businesses in the historic Black Wall Street District. Kiana Smith sits down with Charity Marcus to explore this story. Finally, we offer a story on Black artists, musicians and promoters encountering discrimination at venues across Tulsa. This discrimination is referred to as "The Brown Code." This piece is the first in a series from our contributor Written Quincy. Focus: Black Oklahoma is produced in partnership by Public Radio Tulsa, the Tulsa Artist Fellowship, and Tri-City Collective and is broadcast from the studios of Public Radio Tulsa on the campus of the University of Tulsa. Our theme music is by Moffat Music. Additional music is contributed by Two Piece. The executive producers of Focus: Black Oklahoma are Quraysh Ali Lansana and Scott Gregory. The Associate Producers are Bracken Klar and Ali Shaw. Focus: Black Oklahoma is produced in partnership with KOSU Radio, Tulsa Artist Fellowship, and Tri-City Collective. Additional support is provided by the George Kaiser Family Foundation and the Commemoration Fund. Our theme music is by Moffett Music. Focus: Black Oklahoma’s executive producers are Quraysh Ali Lansana and Bracken Klar. Our associate producers are Scott Gregory, Smriti Iyengar, and Jesse Ulrich.

Recently the Oklahoma state legislature joined the wave of book bannings across the US by requiring school libraries to reflect “community standards.” But who decides what those community standards are? Charlie Chadwick asks the librarians themselves. Free Mom Hugs, a nationwide movement of love, visibility, and acceptance for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community was born right here in Oklahoma. Love Revolution, the first Free Mom Hugs national conference, occurred in Oklahoma City in September. Shonda Little spoke with the organization’s founder Sara Cunningham, and national coordinator Amber Jensen. The fate of the prairie chicken becomes a symbol of a bigger environmental argument in the heart of Oklahoma. President Biden stays firm on the bird's protection as the U.S. Senate and House battle to delist it, thereby ending federal intervention. While the national debate continues, local landowners are taking steps to address the needs of this now famous bird. Britny Cordera reports. In 1921 the resilient citizens of Greenwood, an all-Black community in Tulsa, faced a devastating racial conflict that escalated into an unstoppable tragedy. In the present day, the people of Tulsa confront a new challenge: how to comprehend and impart this history to future generations. Tulsa’s World Stage Theater is reprising the critically acclaimed production Reflections, written by two Tulsa playwrights. Anthony Cherry has more. Have you thought you could be the next Chip and Joanna Gaines? Well so did Sondra Slade, but listen to her story and decide for yourself if she was in a show from HGTV or from Animal Planet. Focus: Black Oklahoma is produced in partnership with KOSU Radio, Tulsa Artist Fellowship, and Tri-City Collective. Additional support is provided by the George Kaiser Family Foundation and the Commemoration Fund. Our theme music is by Moffett Music. Focus: Black Oklahoma’s executive producers are Quraysh Ali Lansana and Bracken Klar. Our associate producers are Smriti Iyengar and Jesse Ulrich. Our production intern is Shi Brown.