Focus: Black Oklahoma

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.

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.

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.

This is a podcast special episode that combines all three segments of our Blacks & Cannabis series. In the first episode of the series (originally aired on episode six in June 2021) Juddie Williams explores the inequities of Oklahoma's growing cannabis industry. In the second segment (originally aired on episode seven in July 2021) we hear the experiences of a North Tulsa based dispensary owner who opened his doors during the pandemic and the community activist who never wanted those doors opened. Juddie Williams fills us in. In the third and final segment (originally aired on episode nine in September 2021) Juddie Williams helps clear the air about working in the cannabis industries.

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.

In the midst of the world's urgent call for clean energy, a new project in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana casts a contentious light on the line between economic progress and environmental destruction. At the center of this new project is the proposed liquified natural gas (LNG) export facility, which is projected to provide prosperity to some while posing environmental risks to others. Two corporate titans with ties to Oklahoma are behind the idea. Dr. Nick Alexandrov traveled to Louisiana to bring us the story.

In 2015, the President’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing released recommendations on police reforms in response to unrest in Ferguson, Missouri that occurred after the police shooting of Michael Brown. Would those reforms, if embraced by state law enforcement officers, help deter police killings and help build community? Shonda Little brings us part two of her series.

State Secretary of Education Ryan Walters recently announced that the Oklahoma Department of Education is partnering with right-wing advocacy group Prager University to provide educational resources to Oklahoma classrooms. On Monday, September 11, at a church event in Tulsa, Walters said PragerU Kids would be in every classroom as a part of “continuing the MAGA agenda” but many school districts have been opting out of using the material. Dr. Kristen Oertel, Chair of the Department of History at the University of Tulsa, shares details.

In February, the US Department of Transportation announced the grant awardees for its new Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program. Oklahoma’s only awardee is the North Peoria Church of Christ in Tulsa. Britny Cordera spoke with Oklahoma House District 73’s Representative Regina Goodwin about what the congregation hopes to accomplish.

Black Tech Street is ready to propel Tulsa to the top of the worldwide cybersecurity field. Who is their partner in this challenging project? IT giant Microsoft. By the end of the decade, Black Tech Street and Microsoft are providing Black professionals in the computer industry 1,000 new career opportunities. Anthony Cherry explores the revolutionary ideas that will revitalize the city's technical and cultural environment.

Sonda Slade reports that, In 2014, Tulsa’s 36 Street North corridor was rebranded the Phoenix District as part of an economic development plan. One entrepreneur is working to increase options to turn the neighborhood into a food destination and revenue generator.

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.

A 2021 study published by The Lancet Medical Journal revealed Oklahoma has the highest mortality rates from police violence in the United States, with Tulsa and Oklahoma City in the top 20 cities with the most fatal police shootings. Against this backdrop, the newly elected  District Attorney for Oklahoma County has stirred controversy with her decision to drop charges against seven officers involved in the killings of three different men. Here’s Shonda Little with details.

8:59 The Department of Human Services, or DHS, is a light of hope for many people, and a  lifeline for vulnerable children and families in need. But what happens if that trust is shattered? Families have been devastated as a result of allegations of corruption and malpractice, and our communities are seeking answers. Here’s Dawn Carter with more.

19:30 In the midst of the world's urgent call for clean energy, a new project in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana, casts a contentious light on the fine line between economic progress and environmental destruction. At the center of this new project is the proposed LNG, Liquified Natural Gas, export facility, which is projected to provide prosperity for some while posing environmental risks to others. Two corporate titans with ties to the George Kaiser Family Foundation are behind the idea. Here’s Dr. Nick Alexandrov with his second installment of this series.

Clara Luper, a pioneering black educator and activist whose sit-ins in the late 1950s prompted state desegregation, is at the center of Oklahoma’s civil rights legacy. Educators are reviewing Luper's lectures and deeds more than half a century later, drawing parallels and lessons for today. Jasmine Bivar-Tobie delves into this legacy and its current relevance.

Between 1990 and 2020, the percentage of Black women with a bachelor's degree or higher increased from 11% to 26%, but Black women still face obstacles in higher education. Historically Black Colleges and Universities, or HBCUs, like Langston University in Langston, Oklahoma have become safe havens for Black Women to achieve their dreams and not fall into the stereotypes leveled against them. Sharodon Jenkins has the story.

44:29 ”All the world’s a stage” and in Tulsa, the World Stage Theater Company is a new player on the scene. The company’s upcoming production of The Chinese Lady is its latest opportunity to utilize theater as a medium to explore topics that impact society locally and globally. Anthony Cherry has the story.

Would you like to work with us at FBO or pitch an idea? Email us at [email protected]!

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.

In Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana, a battle against environmental and climate injustice is underway. As an Oklahoma energy company sets its sights on the Gulf, Nick Alexandrov reports on concerns mounting over the potential harm inflicted on historically Black towns in the area.

Partner Tulsa, a collaborative effort of civic leaders in the City of Tulsa, is spearheading revitalization plans for the Greenwood District. With projects like the Kirkpatrick Heights and Greenwood Master Plan, the aim is to honor the district's rich history while embracing future growth. Sondra Slade sits down with Partner Tulsa’s Jonathan Butler to discuss it.

For a long time, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have been actively competing in sports leagues and tournaments, particularly in basketball and football. But the development of the HBCU Chess Classic marks a new era for the HBCU community. Jasmine Bivar-Tobie elaborates on this first-ever chess competition which promotes Black achievement in Science Technology, Engineering, and Math, or STEM fields, and was led by students and the first Black Chess Grandmaster, Maurice Ashley.

If you’ve seen a cover of Vogue or GQ magazines, you may have seen Dillon Peña’s work. Though he started out in a small town on Route 66, the Oklahoma native is now a renowned makeup artist and even created his own skincare line. Shonda Little speaks with him about his story.

In the center of Tulsa’s Greenwood District, where the echoes of history are still audible, Nuova Wright's literary work, "little wife: the story of gold," is more than a mere collection of eco poetry and memoir. Gabrielle Vickers reviews how this book gracefully interweaves the essence of Thoreau's "Walden" with Wright's personal story. With a strong sense of place as a foundation, the author carefully guides the reader through grief, resentment, and trauma that has been passed down from generation to generation.

From Florida to New York to Oklahoma, Tulsa Artist Fellow Kalup Linzy has blazed a trail across the world of performing arts. Carlos Moreno reports on his new solo album released this year.

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, the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies, 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. Sharodon Jenkins is our production intern.

Last month (May 2023), FBO correspondent Dr. Nick Alexandrov introduced us to a west Texas community under threat from the ONEOK Saguaro Connector Pipeline. In this installment he also updates our Battle for Greenwood special that first aired in September 2021. On this episode, we air the second part of his story.

Tulsa has been known as a for everything from oil and gas, to art deco, and western swing music. Today however, Tulsa is at risk of becoming known as a hub for human trafficking. One local nonprofit is working to change that. Anthony Cherry reports on this horrific situation.

Even in a deep red state like Oklahoma, the Democratic Party hasn’t thrown in the towel. In the Third Congressional District, a young Cheyenne-Arapaho citizen has recently been elected as the Oklahoma Democratic Party’s vice chair. Shonda Little speaks with him and others about this recent development.

It’s Pride month and amidst the current controversy around 2SLGBTQIA+, and especially trans rights, June is a time to create spaces for reflecting on intersectionality and what it really means to feel included. Smriti Iyengar talks with two queer teens about just that.

In February 2023, we introduced our All Black Towns series exploring the history of towns established by Freedmen in Indian Territory with Carlos Moreno & Crystal Patrick. This month, Jazmine Bivar-Tobie takes us to Tullahassee for part two of our eight part series digging into the state’s historic all black towns.

Food is something that brings people together and no one knows that better than Fatouh Kablaan, a Syrian refugee who resettled here through the New Tulsan’s Initiative. Fatouh has been sharing her culture with All  Souls Unitarian ChurchCarlos Moreno has details speaks with Fatouh and her husband about their experience in Oklahoma.

What kid didn't want a pony when they were growing up? Chaz Stephens was one of the lucky ones, or so he thought. Then he met "Two Face," a miniature horse. Listen to this story, it will have you laughing until you are a little hoarse yourself.

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, the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies, 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. Sharodon Jenkins is our production intern.

In this episode of Focus: Black Oklahoma: 

Education funding disparities continue to adversely impact students in underserved communities who suffer from limited opportunities for success. Anthony Cherry talks with education leaders in Tulsa who are committed to advocating for more equitable funding allocations from the legislature. Special thanks to an aspiring journalist named Harley Smith for her contributions to this story. 

Since the Dakota Access Pipeline protests that began in 2016, pipeline projects have come under wider scrutiny from the public. Now another marginalized community, in this case in Texas, faces down a natural gas giant in an effort to protect their land. Dr. Nick Alexandrov has the story.

In our March 2023 episode, Focus: Black Oklahoma covered efforts to reform the Oklahoma County jail. Since that broadcast, a grand jury released a report detailing conditions at the controversial facility. Shonda Little has the update.

A proposed bill aimed at prohibiting discrimination based on natural hair or hairstyles failed to pass in the current 2023 house session. Dawn Carter speaks to Representative Monroe Nichols, who introduced the bill, and Dr. Tameeca Rogers, a professor and filmmaker advocating for the bill's passage.

The 2023 Tulsa Jazz Fest, produced by Taylor Entertainment Group, is happening on June 2nd, at Guthrie Green from 6-10PM. John Taylor, owner of Taylor Entertainment Group, is an artist manager, booking agent, digital media entrepreneur, and impresario with a passion for spreading awareness of Tulsa, Oklahoma’s abiding relationship with jazz music. Though Oklahoma has a vibrant Jazz scene, nationwide its popularity has waned over the last few decades. Early June in Oklahoma will be filled with live Jazz around the state. The 32nd Charlie Christian International Music Festival, produced and presented by the Black Liberated Arts Center, Inc. will occur in Oklahoma City June First through the Third on the Oklahoma City Community College Campus. Tickets and additional information can be found at www.tickets.occc.edu or www.charliechristian.org.

There are a number of women rappers topping Billboard charts in 2023, winning Grammy awards, and dominating popular culture. But artists like Ice Spice wouldn’t be able to blow up overnight without the strong foundation laid by pioneers over the preceding decades. Here’s Savai with more.

Mothers: you can’t live with 'em, you can’t live without 'em. Usually we have to worry about our moms telling an embarrassing story about us, but for Michelle Cullom the shoe is on the other foot.

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, the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies, 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. Savai is our production intern.