Podcasts about quraysh ali lansana

For decades, homeschooling in the U.S. was largely associated with white, religious, or affluent families. But as Danielle A. Melton reports, a growing number of Black families are turning to homeschooling, seeking a more rigorous, culturally relevant education for their children. In our penultimate installment of Tribal Justice: The struggle for Black Rights on Native Land (full story can be found on Audible.com), we hear about Michael Hill, a Cherokee Freedmen who was arrested by the Okmulgee Police in the fall of 2020. He fought to have his case transferred to tribal court because he's an enrolled citizen of the Cherokee Nation. After all, this was right after the McGirt decision, which returned criminal jurisdiction to tribal nations in Oklahoma when they involve Native people-like Michael. But, Michael's case was complicated-because of his status as a Black man with no blood quantum, his case did not qualify to be transferred. In this series, we've been exploring how centuries old laws have impacted people like Michael, and his brother Mikail, who was murdered in 2016. His case was transferred out of state court-even though like Michael, he is an enrolled Cherokee Freedmen. Listen as Allison Herrera and Adreanna Rodriguez give us the story.While return-to-office mandates make headlines in the United States, Kenya is developing the infrastructure and policy to become a global remote work destination. The capital, Nairobi, has earned a distinct nickname thanks in part to investment in telecommunications, education, and technology tailored to meet local needs. Here's Zaakirah Muhammad with more.Generosity often battles for space amid profit margins but here in Oklahoma, one small nonprofit in has managed to turn second-hand treasures into first-class impact. Park Avenue Thrift, a thrift store in Enid, didn't just settle for selling used clothing and furniture—it became a lifeline for other nonprofits, a backbone for community arts, and a catalyst for change. Recently, Park Avenue Thrift took home a major award from the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits (OKCNP). Venson Fields spoke with the prize winners.This year's Ride to Remember and Ride for Equity cycling events kick off Saturday May 31st in Tulsa's historic Greenwood District. Osborne Celestain, founder of The Community Light Foundation which hosts Ride to Remember, and Linda Jackson of the Major Taylor Oklahoma Cycling Club will be cycling from Black Wall Street in Tulsa to Wall Street in New York City for the 1645 mile Ride for Equity. FBO's Bracken Klar pulled up with Celestain and Jackson.Throughout United States history, music has been the heartbeat of political movements, marches, and protests. For Black Americans especially, music has been a source of comfort and strength in the face of systemic injustice. For the second part of FBO's Culture and Music series, Tulsa musicians David B. Smith and Charlie Redd share music's power to heal, inspire, and fuel social change with Francia Allen. Focus: Black Oklahoma is produced in partnership with KOSU Radio & Tri-City Collective. Additional support is provided by the Commemoration Fund & Press Forward. Our theme music is by Moffett Music. Focus: Black Oklahoma's executive producers are Quraysh Ali Lansana & Bracken Klar. Our associate producers are Smriti Iyengar & Naomi Agnew. Our production intern is Alexander Evans.You can visit us online at KOSU.org or FocusBlackOklahoma.com & on YouTube @TriCityCollectiveOK. You can follow us on Instagram @FocusBlackOK & on Facebook at Facebook.com/FocusBlackOK. You can hear Focus: Black Oklahoma on demand at KOSU.org, the NPR app, NPR.org, or wherever you get your podcasts.

It's rare to hear someone call hope a “bad strategy” but Dr. Charisse Burden-Stelly doesn't sugarcoat the truth. In a conversation with Focus: Black Oklahoma's Anthony Cherry, the Wayne State University Black Studies, political economy scholar, and author of Black Scare/ Red Scare: Theorizing Capitalist Racism in the United States explores the long history of racism, resistance, and radical ideas in this country. From McCarthyism to economic injustice, she invites us to think differently about freedom— and reminds us that real change comes from action, not just hope.As hate and division escalate globally, Holocaust scholar Dr. Carol Rittner returns to Tulsa with a call to action: remember the past and protect each other now. Speaking at this year's Yom HaShoah Interfaith Commemoration, Dr. Rittner challenges us to reject silence and embrace moral courage. Cory Ross has details.In our last installment of Tribal Justice: The struggle for Black Rights on Native Land (full story can be found on Audible.com), we heard about Michael Hill, a Cherokee Freedmen who was arrested by the Okmulgee Police in the fall of 2020. He fought to have his case transferred to tribal court because he's an enrolled citizen of the Cherokee Nation. After all, this was right after the McGirt decision, which returned criminal jurisdiction to tribal nations in Oklahoma when they involve Native people-like Michael. But, Michael's case was complicated-because of his status as a Black man with no blood quantum, his case did not qualify to be transferred. In this series, we've been exploring how centuries old laws have impacted people like Michael, and his brother Mikail, who was murdered in 2016. His case was transferred out of state court-even though like Michael, he is an enrolled Cherokee Freedmen. Listen as Allison Herrera and Adreanna Rodriguez give us the story.Throughout United States history, music has been the heartbeat of political movements, marches, and protests. For Black Americans especially, music has been a source of comfort and strength in the face of systemic injustices. For the first part of FBO's "Culture and Music" series, Tulsa musicians David B. Smith and Charlie Redd share how music has the power to heal, inspire, and fuel social change. FBO's Francia Allen is on the beat.Focus: Black Oklahoma is produced in partnership with KOSU Radio & Tri-City Collective. Additional support is provided by the Commemoration Fund & Press Forward. Our theme music is by Moffett Music. Focus: Black Oklahoma's executive producers are Quraysh Ali Lansana & Bracken Klar. Our associate producers are Smriti Iyengar, Jesse Ulrich, & Naomi Agnew. Our production intern is Alexander Evans.You can visit us online at KOSU.org or FocusBlackOklahoma.com & on YouTube @TriCityCollective. You can follow us on Instagram @FocusBlackOK & on Facebook at Facebook.com/FocusBlackOK. You can hear Focus: Black Oklahoma on demand at KOSU.org, the NPR app, NPR.org, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Fear is rising as politicians nationwide target immigrants with their Trump-inspired rhetoric and policies. KOSU's Lionel Ramos reports Oklahoma's Latino immigrant community has been stirred into a panic. Translations in this story were voiced by Sierra Pfeifer. To read more about this legal clinic and immigration enforcement in Oklahoma, visit KOSU.org.In Oklahoma, as in many places, addiction carries a heavy stigma, particularly within the Black community. But as Focus: Black Oklahoma's Cory Ross reports, the Oklahoma Harm Reduction Alliance is working to change that perception, offering resources and support to reduce the harms associated with drug use. In this story Allison Herrera, one of the creator's of Tribal Justice: The struggle for Black Rights on Native Land (The full story can be found on Audible) we hear about Michael Hill, a Cherokee Freedmen who was arrested by the Okmulgee Police. He fought to have his case transferred to tribal court because he's an enrolled citizen of the Cherokee Nation. But, Michael's case was complicated-because of his status as a Black man with no blood quantum, his case did not qualify to be transferred. In this series. We've been exploring how centuries old laws have impacted people like Michael...and his brother Mikail-who was murdered in 2016. His case was transferred out of state court-even though like Michael, he is an enrolled Cherokee Freedmen. In an era of shifting political landscapes and renewed focus on cultural identity, the stories of three Kenyan-American women offer a compelling lens through which to examine the immigrant, and emigrant, experience. From the challenges of navigating a new political climate in the U.S. to the surprising benefits of life in Kenya, they share their unique perspectives on culture, connection, and tradition. Zaakirah Muhammad has details.Easter is a holiday steeped in tradition, often marked by new clothes and family gatherings. But for FBO correspondent Sondra Slade, the experience of shopping for the perfect Easter dress with her mother became a cherished memory that captures the spirit and anticipation of childhood. Focus: Black Oklahoma is produced in partnership with KOSU Radio & Tri-City Collective. Additional support is provided by the Commemoration Fund & Press Forward. Our theme music is by Moffett Music. Focus: Black Oklahoma's executive producers are Quraysh Ali Lansana & Bracken Klar. Our associate producers are Smriti Iyengar, Jesse Ulrich, & Naomi Agnew. Our production intern is Alexander Evans.You can visit us online at KOSU.org or FocusBlackOklahoma.com & on YouTube @TriCityCollective. You can follow us on Instagram @FocusBlackOK & on Facebook at Facebook.com/FocusBlackOK. You can hear Focus: Black Oklahoma on demand at KOSU.org, the NPR app, NPR.org, or wherever you get your podcasts.

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. This is our fifth installment of the documentary.Affordable housing and community development took center stage in Enid during a recent town hall meeting addressing a rezoning proposal. While some viewed the proposal as an opportunity for revitalization and affordable living, others raised concerns about taxes and the potential impact on their land. Venson Fields has details.In the heart of Kinondo, Kwale County, the Al Walidayn Center stands as a beacon of hope, transforming lives through its free services amid a backdrop of high rates of sexual violence and teenage pregnancy. The center has dramatically reduced cases of gender-based violence offering young girls a sanctuary and a pathway to empowerment in a community once plagued by drug trafficking and exploitation. Zaakirah Muhammad reports from Kenya.In Tulsa, Oklahoma, a steep hill nicknamed "Big Bertha" has become more than just a physical challenge. It's the centerpiece of a grassroots fitness movement led by Isaac Bennett, a local health coach and community activist. Every Saturday morning, Tulsans of all ages gather to conquer this formidable incline, finding not just a workout, but a sense of community and personal growth. Anthony Cherry has the story.Whether it's your fly boots or your open-toes, apple bottom jeans or boots with the fur, some outfits are meant to turn heads, but this story from Sondra Slade about a winter wardrobe malfunction will leave you in stitches.Focus: Black Oklahoma is produced in partnership with KOSU Radio & Tri-City Collective. Additional support is provided by the Commemoration Fund & Press Forward. Our theme music is by Moffett Music. Focus: Black Oklahoma's executive producers are Quraysh Ali Lansana & Bracken Klar. Our associate producers are Smriti Iyengar, Jesse Ulrich, & Naomi Agnew. Our production intern is Alexander Evans.You can visit us online at KOSU.org or FocusBlackOklahoma.com & on YouTube @TriCityCollective. You can follow us on Instagram @FocusBlackOK & on Facebook at Facebook.com/FocusBlackOK. You can hear Focus: Black Oklahoma on demand at KOSU.org, the NPR app, NPR.org, or wherever you get your podcasts.

In November, Monroe Nichols was elected Tulsa's first black mayor. On December 2nd, Nichols was sworn into office at the Cox Business Convention Center where he outlined his vision for the city over the next two years. Cory Ross has more. 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 third installment of FBO's broadcast of the documentary.Medical gaslighting can impact patients with a range of conditions and some women experiencing menopause are vulnerable. Multiple factors contribute to accurate diagnosis and treatment for a process all women will go through. Francia Allen shares the details.FBO's Sondra Slade reminisces with her Aunts Mae Frances Stidham Stevenson, former queen of Oklahoma City's Eastside Roundup Club, and Lovenia Marie Stidham Moham about African American rodeo culture and its vibrant community, highlighting a rich legacy of horsemanship and family values. 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.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.Our theme music is by Moffett Music.Focus: Black Oklahoma's executive producers are Quraysh Ali Lansana and Bracken Klar. Our associate producers are Jesse Ulrich and Naomi Agnew.

On November 5th, Monroe Nichols was elected Tulsa's first Black mayor in the city's 129 year history. FBO's Jamie Glisson followed Nichols and his team for the day.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 second installment of FBOs broadcast of the documentary.Though the holiday season can be a time of joy and celebration, for some families it can be a time of struggle and stress. The Tulsa Dream Center works to address some of these disparities. Here's Danielle A. Melton with details.Bishop Silvester Scott Beaman, the 139th Elected and Consecrated Bishop of the AME Church, and chair of the White House's Advisory Council on African Diaspora Engagement and longtime spiritual advisor to President Biden, reflects on his role in fostering connections between African Americans and the broader African diaspora. Here's our recent interview at Tulsa's historic Vernon AME Church, where Beaman shared his vision for strengthening ties and addressing challenges facing Black communities both in the U.S. and across the African continent.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 groundwork for Tulsa's Greenwood District and the prosperous Black Wall Street. 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.Medicine, fashion, and film converge as Dawn Carter brings us the second of a three part series on Oklahoma's Black Rodeo and Culture.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 dot kosu.org and sign up to receive further details on the February 1st, 2025 exhibition opening event.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.Our theme music is by Moffett Music.Focus: Black Oklahoma's executive producers are Quraysh Ali Lansana and Bracken Klar. Our associate producer is Jesse Ulrich.

Dueling Visions for Oklahoma & the United States at the 2024 RNC & DNCIn 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.

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 this episode, Anna Deem, a high school English teacher in Chicago, and I discuss how seasons of life change our reading habits, her love of poetry, and our definitive shared overrated book. We also discuss the influence of the Beat generation on her writing and end with some excellent recommendations for books she enjoys with her 4-year-old daughter.    Books mentioned in this episode:    What Betsy's reading:  Dune by Frank Herbert  The Nix by Nathan Hill  Incidents Around the House by Josh Malerman Sisters of the Lost Nation by Nick Medina   Books Highlighted by Anna:  The Stranger by Albert Camus Native Son by Richard Wright  The Crown Ain't Worth Much by Hanif Abdurraqib  Naked Lunch by William S. Burroughs, Jr.  Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner  Just Kids: An Autobiography by Patti Smith  Anthropology of an American Girl by Hilary Thayer Hamann  Howl by Alan Ginsberg    Other Books Mentioned in the Episode: All books available on my Bookshop.org episode page.   Fast Times and Ridgemont High by Cameron Crowe (out of print)  The Nineties: A Book by Chuck Klosterman  Junky by William S. Burroughs  Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace Promises of Gold by José Olivarez  The Breakbeat Poets: New American Poetry in the Age of Hip-Hop edited by Kevin Coval, Quraysh Ali Lansana, and Nate Marshall  Selected Poems of Anne Sexton by Anne Sexton  The Collected Poems by Sylvia Plath  Very Good Hats by Emma Straub and Blanca Gómez  Dress-Up Day by Blanca Gómez  Taylor Swift: A Little Golden Book Biography by Wendy Loggia and Elisa Chavarri

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.

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 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 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 with KOSU Radio, Tulsa Artist Fellowship, and Tri-City Collective. Additional support is provided by the George Kaiser Family Foundation and the Charles 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. Brittany 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 interns are Joshua Wise and 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.

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 contact@focusblackoklahoma.com!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.

This month on Focus Black Oklahoma:Parenting is hard and determining what constitutes a family is even harder. Oklahoma Law has no precedent for a same sex custody battle. Yet, Kris Williams finds herself in the midst of a struggle for parental rights. Shonda Little has the story.The American Dream is fairly elusive, even for the people who were born and raised in the United States. Economic inclusion and self-sufficiency for refugees are priorities of the University of Oklahoma's Humanitarian Innovation Research Group, or OU HIRG. Anthony Cherry has the story about the organization and how they are advocating for refugee rights.The need for representation across a variety of industries has been lacking for years. In particular, Black physicians are few and far between. Dr. Jabraan Pasha has details about the Youth Medical Mentorship Program which is working to change the disparity of Blacks in medicine.Against the backdrop of divisive social, cultural, and political rhetoric, as the state of Oklahoma continues to see a rise in legislation banning race and gender diversity in education, restricting reproductive health and autonomy, and restricting 2SLGBTQIA+ rights, the initiatives, programs, and services of social justice organizations in the state have become increasingly sought after, especially to equip and support young people in the approach and navigation of these complex conversations. For over eight decades, one of the state's oldest inclusivity-focused nonprofits, Oklahoma Center for Community and Justice, or OCCJ, has worked to promote understanding and mutual respect through advocacy, conflict resolution and educational programs. OCCJ started as a volunteer movement chapter of the National Conference of Christians and Jews, formally establishing the Tulsa branch in 1958. In 2005, OCCJ became independent of that national organization. Through their initiatives and programs, they continue to do the work of elevating voices and educating world citizens. On February 6th, Phil Armstrong was officially welcomed as the OCCJ's new president and chief executive officer. Juddie Williams has the story.In an effort to reinvigorate Greenwood and the health of its citizens, the Historic Greenwood District Main Street is launching Greenwood Go, an initiative to ensure more people have healthy bodies to walk the historic District but also spur healthy commerce in the community. Sondra Slade shares details.Though Tulsa's moniker as the Rose Capital has been long gone, there are still beautiful flowers all around town that highlight the history made here. As Tulsa enjoys this renaissance in arts the people of the city have committed to give its flowers to the artists that showcase its beauty. Chaz Stephens has the story.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.

This month we start with education. No matter what you call it, a “voucher” or a “tax credit,” the end result is defunding our State's public education system. Anthony Cherry talks with two state lawmakers about the current legislative session and the bills regarding school vouchers.Since the Occupy Wall Street protests in 2011, there has been a growing focus on the disparity between the wealthiest 1% of Americans and the other 99% of the population. A recently published report demonstrates how wealth inequality is a global issue that has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Nick Alexandrov details how the effects can be measured here in Oklahoma.Oklahoma has long been on the list of states that incarcerates a large percentage of its population. Prison conditions such as overcrowding and mismanagement are just a few of the public's concerns. One group, the People's Council for Criminal Justice Reform is working to ensure someone is held accountable. Shonda Little has details.In 2019, Tulsa Mayor, GT Bynum announced a public investigation into potential mass graves of Race Massacre victims located at Oaklawn Cemetery. The documentary film, Oaklawn, produced by the Center for Public Secrets and Well-Told covers the events since that first announcement and more broadly the injustices Black Americans face daily including government and policing. Charlie Chadwick has the story.The term Black Excellence has become mainstream in recent years just as Drag and drag culture have taken over our brunches and our Friday evenings. Jasmine Bivar Tobie shares the thoughts of global drag super stars and some local voices to get to the meaning of Black Excellence.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.

In this episode, we begin with a story that explores the insidious aspects of implicit bias. They are an ever present part of the lived experiences of people of color in America. Black women are the most susceptible to bias through the lens of the healthcare system. Dr. Jabraan Pasha has the story about the Tulsa Birth Equity Initiative and its mission to ensure that more pregnant Black women have the medical support they need through their doula program.Amidst the political rhetoric that surrounds banning abortions across the nation, mental health is often overlooked as an important aspect of maternal health . Shonda Little examines the case of a young Oklahoma woman who is caught in the center of the struggle between politics and an individual's rights.In 2018, Oklahomans voted to legalize medical cannabis. In March, they will have an opportunity to vote for the legalization of recreational cannabis. Jamie Glisson has details on a recent forum covering the issue. Oklahoma means land of the “red people,” yet the state once contained within its borders more all black towns than any other. One of the lesser known facets of this history is the legacy of all black towns established by Freedmen of various Indigenous nations. Here's Crystal Patrick with the first segment of an eight part series digging into the state's historic all black towns.Many genres of popular music in the United States have been influenced by Black culture: hip hop, R&B, jazz, blues, rock 'n' roll, soul, and more. However, contributions by Black artists to country music are often overlooked. In 2021, one woman established an organization to change that. Carlos Moreno has the story.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.

Black writers and poets Quraysh Ali Lansana and Ishion Hutchinson share how their poetry is shaped by history, tradition, and the unearthing of forgotten histories.

Oklahoma is among the Republican led states that have banned over 1000 books since Fall 2021, with the bans disproportionately affecting works with Black characters or addressing issues of race. Focus: Black Oklahoma's Anthony Cherry spoke with educators about the impact of restricting literature in the classroom.With Kamala Harris holding the office of the Vice President of the United States, Black women are arguably more visible in American politics than ever. Dawn Carter reports on a national organization dedicated to increasing engagement and representation of Black women in the political process. For more reporting on the topics discussed in this story you can listen to our episode released in January 2021 wherever you get your podcasts.Anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric along with a Molotov cocktail were thrown into a Tulsa donut shop because it was hosting a Drag Queen event. This event, and others like it, indicates performers and even their allies have reason for fear and concern. Dr. Nick Alexandrov has details on the growing instances of anti-LGBTQ hate crimes.The U.S. Supreme Court's landmark McGirt vs. Oklahoma decision in 2020 was a big win for tribal sovereignty that gave tribal nations jurisdiction over many crimes committed in their territory and by their citizens. But, working out the state of Oklahoma's role in such matters has proven extremely contentious. StateImpact Oklahoma's Logan Layden spoke with KOSU Indigenous Affairs reporter Allison Herrera about one case that highlights the complications involved.Oklahoma health officials have surveyed high school students for decades, looking at things like their alcohol use, nutrition, and home life. StateImpact's Catherine Sweeney reports the data have shown a spike in mental health struggles.Being your truest self in any life situation can sometimes be challenging. Jasmine Bivar-Tobie shares the experience of attempting to honor and protect herself in an alternative space.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 Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies.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.

On this episode, we start off with Anthony Cherry bringing us details on how finding representation in education is the new challenge for school districts in this story from September. Oklahoma's teacher shortage has reached critical levels and finding Black teachers is almost impossible.Shonda Little explores the motivations and tactics used by white supremacist gangs in the state and where they appear to be setting up shop. Here is her segment on the United Aryan Brotherhood, which we aired in January. The Washington Post picked up the story in September.Focus: Black Oklahoma's three part series, The Battle for Greenwood, was the recipient of an award from the Oklahoma Society for Professional Journalists in the Special Programs category. This excerpt, narrated by former co-host Kolby Webster, is from the third episode, titled Reparations, and takes a deep dive into the City's controversial efforts to identify potential mass graves that resulted from the 1921 Race Massacre. As of this recording, 19 additional adult graves and 2 child burials have been discovered at Oaklawn Cemetery. In our November broadcast, Nick Alexandrov brought us the story of how one Tulsa Fortune 500 company has been using its money to support campaigns of politicians who proclaim, without evidence, that the 2020 presidential election was stolen from Donald Trump.Also from our November broadcast, Jasmine Bivar-Tobie shares the story of Leeman Lewis' ongoing pledge to restore the Okmulgee Black hospital through the work of the nonprofit organization Landmark For All Generations.It's hard not to recognize that Black people and their contributions have touched every part of our state. In our July broadcast, Carlos Moreno reported on how the Claremore Museum of History celebrated the one year anniversary of its Black History exhibit.In this section from our Culture Keepers series Britny Cordera takes us on a well-seasoned adventure towards decolonizing menus across the country. This story aired on Focus: Black Oklahoma in January 2022 and was further covered by The New Yorker Magazine in September.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 Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies.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.

On this episode, we start off with Dr. Nick Alexandrov examining one Tulsa Fortune 500 company that uses its money to support campaigns of politicians who proclaim, without evidence, that the 2020 presidential election was stolen from Donald Trump. As many find themselves learning to navigate in a “post-truth” era, there's at least one statement you can always trust: money talks.For 2022 midterm elections, state-wide attention was focused on what the electoral outcomes would mean for issues like Indigenous sovereignty and education. Jamie Glisson reviews this year's results for state and national offices.A new exhibit at the Cherokee History Museum in Tahlequah explores the history of the Freedmen, the people formerly enslaved by the Indigenous nation. FBO's Allison Herrera visited the museum with some of their descendants.Because of Black history and a personal commitment to preserving landmarks that are tied to Black people, Leeman Lewis bought and is restoring the Okmulgee Black hospital as a labor of love for his community. Jasmine Bivar-Tobie shares the story of Lewis' ongoing pledge to ensure it is a Landmark for All Generations.Despite humble beginnings in rural Oklahoma, Jalen Dorsey has built a stellar music career and a booming new business venture that proves it's not where you came from- it's about where you want to go. Shonda Little has details on the life of Jalen aka DJ Lite Brite and his thriving music and entrepreneurial endeavors.High school. Years many of us simply want to forget. Yet, no matter how old you get or how many years have passed there is always a reunion that brings all those feelings flooding back. FBO's Executive Producer Quraysh Ali Lansana shares his anxieties about attending his 40th high school reunion.The holidays are always a special time of year when families come together to celebrate. But when grandma is slipped the “special brownies” and decides to share the gift that keeps on giving, well, that's when true memories are made. Here's Sondra Slade.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 Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies.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.

On this episode, we start off with exploring why most people believe that justice must be punitive. The Restorative Justice Institute of Oklahoma seeks to change the public's perceptions on this issue using a diversity, equity, and inclusion lens. Jasmine Bivar-Tobie has the story. Next Jamie Glisson introduces us to Joshua Harris-Till. 67 years ago a 14 year old boy was murdered based on an accusation. An accusation that was deemed false at the time and then proven so decades later. Emmitt Till was dragged from the home of his Aunt and Uncle in Drew, Mississippi by two white men with shot guns, then taken to a nearby barn and tortured for hours until he was shot in the head and then thrown into a nearby river with a large fan tied to his leg to weigh him down. Media coverage of the recent shooting at McLain High school in Tulsa, perpetuates the narrative that our communities are dangerous and rife with violence. Anthony Cherry shares a story about how Black male mentors through organizations like Men of Power are focused on making sure more young Black men are seen as thriving- not as threats. With a written history dating back 3,000 years, China has one of the oldest cultures in the world. As the Mandarin Chinese language grows into a 21st century lingua franca, Chinese language programs have achieved success in Oklahoma despite obstacles like budget cuts and political and cultural barriers. Carlos Moreno spoke with members of the United States Heartland China Association to discuss ongoing efforts to promote Chinese language education. An often overlooked aspect of Oklahoma history is the legacy of Jim Crow style policies that were implemented even prior to statehood. Shonda Little traveled to Elk City to hear how members of the Black community have maintained the city's oldest cemetery by cultivating a “for us, by us” attitude for nearly 120 years. There's an old proverb about friendship: as iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend. Sometimes being sharp means having as much fun as possible while keeping each other out of trouble. Sondra Slade recounts what real friendship looks like during a cross country road trip in college. 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 Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies. Our theme music is by Moffett Music. Focus: Black Oklahoma's executive producers are Quraysh Ali Lansana and Bracken Klar. Smriti Ayengar is our associate producer. Our production intern is Torren Doss.

On this episode, we start off with a closer look at Oklahoma's teacher shortage, which has reached critical levels, and finding Black teachers is almost impossible. Anthony Cherry has details on how finding representation in education is the new challenge for school districts. Next Shonda Little examines recent tragic impacts that lagging mental health funding and unrestricted access to guns have on communities and shares more on the need for gun trigger laws in Oklahoma. In the fourth installment of her series exploring candidates running for political office across the state, Jamie Glisson speaks with Congressional District 1 candidate, Adam Martin. Historically, access to sustainable energy resources has been out of reach for many marginalized communities. Dawn Carter has the story about WeSolar a community solar firm that aims to change that. We catch up with local students with StateImpact Oklahoma's listening tour with youth across the state. StateImpact's Robby Korth and KOSU's Kateleigh Mills talked with a couple of Tulsa high school students about race, gender and how they interact with their peers at school. Mikeal Vaughn, the founder and executive Director of The Urban Coders Guild is celebrating five years of ensuring Black and brown youth are reflected in the tech industry that gave him his start. Carlos Moreno has the story. 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 Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies. Our theme music is by Moffett Music. Focus: Black Oklahoma's executive producers are Quraysh Ali Lansana and Bracken Klar. Our producers are Nick Alexandrov and Vanessa Gaona. Our production interns are Torren Doss and Smriti Iyengar.

This week's episode features Janee Bolden – one of the pod's favorite and most thoughtful entertainment journalists, authors and speakers. Janee is the Senior Content Director PopCulture at iOne Digital and has interviewed countless actors, musicians and culture creators across film, TV and her first love music. She shares how she came into her own after having a challenging childhood not feeling seen as a young Black child who was a bookworm in Iowa to really stepping into her light which enabled her to fully embrace her Blackness as an intrepid undergrad at New York City University exploring the cultural riches of NYC. Throughout the episode, she also shares getting her start writing erotica and pivoting to entertainment journalism. Janee is the epitome of hustle, grit and grace as she has navigated the entertainment industry shining a spotlight on Black creators especially with her advocacy for Black women in the music industry. Dive in and get ready to be inspired! Janee Bolden - https://www.instagram.com/janeebolden/ Global Grind - https://www.instagram.com/globalgrind/ Bossip - https://www.instagram.com/bossipofficial/ Janee's first published poem - https://www.amazon.com/Role-Call-Generational-Anthology-Literature/dp/0883782391/ref=sr_1_1?crid=21AJL4A1J0T9N&keywords=role+call+anthology+tony+medina&qid=1662065475&s=books&sprefix=role+call+anthology+tony+medina%2Cstripbooks%2C64&sr=1-1 Erotica Poets - Tony Medina - https://www.facebook.com/tony.medina.52 Samiya Bashir - https://www.facebook.com/scryptkeeper Quraysh Ali-Lansana - https://www.facebook.com/qalansana AC3 Festival - https://www.instagram.com/a3cfestival/ Director Barry Jenkins - https://www.instagram.com/bandrybarry/ James Baldwin - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Baldwin Janee's Tribe Angela Yee - https://www.instagram.com/angelayee/ Karen Civil - https://www.instagram.com/karencivil/ Tristan Walker - https://www.instagram.com/tristanwalker/ Please remember to subscribe, leave a rating and follow us on Linkedin and Instagram @BLKONTHESCENE.

In this installment, Lydia Jeong met with leaders who are closing gaps in anti-racist education by encouraging Oklahomans to talk about issues relating to race and discrimination. Her story has more about Aware Tulsa and University of Oklahoma's Anti-Racist Rhetoric and Pedagogies seminar. Next up Anthony Cherry examines how most Oklahomans are unaware of the state's early migrants from the Asian American and Pacific Islander community. This often underrepresented community has long been a part of Oklahoma history. Here, he shares their story. In our third installment of Jamie Glisson's series exploring candidates running for political office across the state, she speaks with Congressional District 4 candidates incumbent Congressman Tom Cole and his opponent Mary Brannon. Tulsa arts organization, A Pocket Full of Hope makes big moves into a historic building so that youth can share the stage once graced by greats like Count Basie and Ray Charles. Jasmine Bivar-Tobie has details on how this organization continues to improve the lives of students in North Tulsa. Finally we have a story about father and son dynamics. They can be challenging, but when one adds girls and snakes those dynamics can be humbling- especially for fathers. G.K. Palmer tells us his story about a kung-fu snake. 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 Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies. Our theme music is by Moffett Music. Focus: Black Oklahoma's executive producers are Quraysh Ali Lansana and Bracken Klar. Our producers are Nick Alexandrov and Vanessa Gaona. Our production interns Perla Mauricio, Torren Doss, and Smriti Iyengar.

We start this episode with taxes! Tax code is complicated and the fiscal impact of the McGirt decision on the State tax collection is also complicated. Dawn Carter has the story on how tribal tax exemptions are impacting state funded programs. We continue discussing Native American Nations in our next story. Allison Herrera tells us about the traumatic experiences of Indian Boarding schools, painfully brought to light in a one of a kind event in Anadarko. The testimonies are putting former boarders firmly on the road to healing. Next we revisit local nurses and new data on the long-term effects of COVID, specifically on the health of Black people-- which is significant. A lack of mental health services and patient advocates are just some of the real concerns across North Tulsa and similar communities. Nick Alexandrov has the story. Juddie Williams has our next story: Freedom of speech is a constitutional right that still requires protection so that people can express their political views as fully as possible. Williams brings us a story about two organizations whose sole purpose is to protect our civil liberties. Listen in as queer farmers find community through an event called Queer Farmer Convergence. Catherine Wheeler shares just how important it is to be seen, heard, and challenged by your peers. It's hard not to recognize that Black people and their contributions have touched every part of Oklahoma and Claremore is no exception. From Olympians to sucessful business men, Claremore has a long history of Black excellence that is now being showcased in the Black History exhibit at the Claremore Museum of History. Carlos Moreno brings us the details. We end with an audio diary from musicians who recently performed at the Woody Guthrie Center. Crys Matthews and her wife Heather Mae graced the stage, singing songs from each of their prestigious careers, love songs they wrote for each other, and each debuting a new song for what the couple called a small but mighty audience. As the crew broke down the stage, Matthews took some time to speak about being on the road again playing music. She is a rising star in the folk music world, winning the Lincoln Center New Music competition in 2017, and recent awards at the Northeast Regional Folk Alliance, and the International Folk Music Awards. A preacher's kid from small town North Carolina, Matthews talked about the themes in her music of love, faith, civil rights, and social justice. 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 Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies. Our theme music is by Moffett Music. Focus: Black Oklahoma's executive producers are Quraysh Ali Lansana and Bracken Klar. Our producers are Nick Alexandrov and Vanessa Gaona. Our production interns Perla Mauricio, Torren Doss, and Smriti Iyengar.

This week on the podcast, the Oklahoma Today editors happily welcome Quraysh Ali Lansana to the show to discuss his recent feature, "Bass Unmasked" about legendary lawman Bass Reeves. Plus we answer the Question of the Week and help you plan your schedule with Podvents. We hope you listen!

After numerous attempts by the Survivors of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre to be granted a trial, a judge handed down an unprecedented ruling on May 2nd that provides hope to those who are fighting to repair and restore Greenwood. Carlos Moreno has more. Next Jamie Glisson has the first in a series exploring the candidates running for political office across the state. Here, she speaks with Congressional District 3 incumbent, Congressman Frank Lucas and some new challengers for that seat. Adverse Childhood experiences are responsible for traumatizing millions of children across the state. One organization believes that a mentor can counteract that trauma with an activity as simple as bowling. Dawn Carter shares more about Big Brothers, Big Sisters Bowling for Kids Sake event. Brandy Colbert's book "Blackbirds in the Sky" was written for young adults but doesn't shy away from the tough topic of the Tulsa Race Massacre. Our teen correspondent Adrienne Brown has details about what's been missing from her education and why straight talk in our classrooms matter. Preserving the prairie system is no simple task. And now at the heart of conservation and culture is the Prairie Chicken. While it may not be as familiar as Bald Eagles, Britny Cordera has more on what makes Prairie Chickens just as iconic and in need of protection. Finally Chaz Stephens will connect the dots from Dragonball Z to N.E.R.D. exploring how Black nerds are gaining greater visibility and acceptance in mainstream culture. 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 Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies. Our theme music is by Moffett Music. Focus: Black Oklahoma's executive producers are Quraysh Ali Lansana and Bracken Klar. Our producers are Nick Alexandrov and Vanessa Gaona. Our production interns Torren Doss and Smriti Iyengar.

Dr. Nick Alexandrov opens the show with #justiceforshed: A Black man is dead in Norman, OK and while the family seeks answers, others are bringing attention to Stand Your Ground laws and how they are in-equitably applied when it comes to Black and Brown bodies. Next Jamie Glisson reports that only 54% of registered voters in Oklahoma voted in the 2020 elections. As we approach key elections in the coming months, Jamie shares who's in, who is out, and where there are opportunities to engage voters. Lydia Jeong brings to the forefront the power of listening to our neighbors and connecting with our communities, highlighting the simple process and profound results of communication. In our next story we ask, "what values do Oklahomans authentically share with the rest of the country and more specifically what values matter most to Black and Brown Oklahomans." Juddie Williams speaks with local surveyors who want to dig into the ideals and motivations of Black and Brown folks in the center of America. Then Sherrita Sweet follows up on an education fund for descendants of the Tulsa Race Massacre that was put in place nearly twenty years ago. Here she is with a leader looking to expand the fund and navigate the complications ahead. As climate change continues to bear down upon the western United States, historic wildfires have wreaked havoc upon the lives of many. In western Oklahoma, and numerous other states, the elite firefighters and fire management staff from the Cheyenne and Arapaho nations have continued to answer the call. Shonda Little has the story. Finally Michelle Collum reminds us that even when you look your best- no one knows when a wardrobe malfunction is gonna strike. Here, she shares a funny tale about a bathroom wrestling match that you'll never forget. 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 Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies. Our theme music is by Moffett Music. Focus: Black Oklahoma's executive producers are Quraysh Ali Lansana and Bracken Klar. Our associate producers are Nick Alexandrov and Vanessa Gaona. Our production intern is Smriti Iyengar.

Focus: Black Oklahoma has been selected to participate in the Advancing Democracy cohort with the Solutions Journalism Network, or SJN. Our series, In A Confused State, will follow Oklahoma advocacy groups navigating new restrictions on freedoms in four areas: reproductive rights, voting laws, teaching history and direct action/activism. We begin the show with our final piece in the series as Devin Williams sheds light on the obstacles between minority voters and the ballot box in Oklahoma. We also get closer to the people working to make the path to accurate representation more clear. Next Jamie Glisson looks at Ketanji Brown Jackson, who was officially confirmed to the supreme court on April 7, 2022, by a 53 to 47 vote, and the political successes of Black women locally and nationally that brought our political system to this historic moment. In the first installment intended to help us understand the McGirt versus Oklahoma supreme court case and its continued challenges by the state, Dawn Carter notes that almost half the state of Oklahoma may still be considered Native American land that was never disestablished when Oklahoma was granted statehood. The decision could have transformative impacts for citizens across what we know of as Oklahoma. Oklahoma's rich Black history could be lost, if not for people like Damario Solomon-Simmons and Derrick Edie Smith Jr- also known as the “history influencer”- Young Black Mayor.  Crysal Patrick shares some of what led them on this journey of educating not just our state, but our world on Oklahoma history. Then we get an introduction to a new exhibit, Woven, by Shenequa Brooks at 108 Contemporary. In this exhibit, she demonstrates where art and entrepreneurship collide. Brooks is creating art while sharing her talents and expertise with other young artists of color. Carlos Moreno shares the unique story of an “Artpreneur” with us. In this month's final story we get an inside look at what it takes to put on the biggest art show for the youngest artists in town. Lydia Jeong takes us to Philbrook for The Big Show. 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 Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies. Our theme music is by Moffett Music. Focus: Black Oklahoma's executive producers are Quraysh Ali Lansana and Bracken Klar. Our associate producers are Nick Alexandrov and Vanessa Gaona. Our production intern is Smriti Iyengar.

Focus: Black Oklahoma has been selected to participate in the Advancing Democracy cohort with the Solutions Journalism Network, or SJN. Our series, In A Confused State, will follow Oklahoma advocacy groups navigating new restrictions on freedoms in four areas: reproductive rights, voting laws, teaching history, and direct action/activism. This week we start the show with our latest in the series. Here, Dr. Nick Alexandrov explores school choice, the complicated history of the term and the reality of its execution in practice within the state's various private, public, and charter school systems.  Next, we look at the COVID-19 pandemic two years on. Oklahoma is set to begin a study looking into the long term effects COVID-19 is having on some who have contracted the virus. Dawn Carter has the story of how Long haulers or Long COVID is affecting Oklahomans and what resources may help those affected.  We then look at a much different issue impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Escalation in anti-Asian language, violence, and hate crimes in the country continues with incidents increasing over 300% in the last year. Contributor Lydia Jeong speaks with Asian American women who are grappling with the rise in aggressions against their communities. We follow Shonda Little as she explored the Old Settlers Reunion in Cheyanne. For some it is a chance to relive the glory days of the land run. For the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes though, it's a painful reminder of all they have lost. In our final story, we continue our examination of the lasting impacts of COVID. Jamie Glisson talks with local musicians who found themselves struggling to make ends meet as well as share their talents with those quarantining at home. 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 Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies. Our theme music is by Moffett Music. Focus: Black Oklahoma's executive producers are Quraysh Ali Lansana and Bracken Klar. Our associate producers are Nick Alexandrov and Vanessa Gaona. Our production intern is Smriti Iyengar.

We kick off this episode of Focus: Black Oklahoma with Devin Williams reporting on how teachers in the state are being pushed to the brink and the current state of teaching, and subbing, during the covid-19 pandemic as well as policymakers advocating for better. Focus: Black Oklahoma has been selected to participate in the Advancing Democracy cohort with the Solutions Journalism Network, or SJN. Our series, In A Confused State, will follow Oklahoma advocacy groups navigating new restrictions on freedoms in four areas: reproductive rights, voting laws, teaching history and direct action/activism. Continuing this series, Crystal Patrick and Dr. Nick Alexandrov go in depth on Critical Race Theory and the penalties against public institutions that teach concepts that the state legislature finds problematic. We then follow Shonda Little to the southwestern part of the state as she finds White supremacist gangs are a growing threat. She speaks with Oklahomans who have had direct experiences with the United Aryan Brotherhood terrorist organization.  Carlos Moreno joins organizations that are holding space for the healing and processing of Black and Brown death and explains how to have conversations about it with the whole family.  Robert Caddy and Sherrita Sweet continue our series on wellness and tell us about mindfulness techniques to fight battles within the body. Finally, when it comes to Valentine's Day, we explore expectations, reality, and how, sometimes, less is indeed more with comedian Sondra Slade. 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 Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies. Our theme music is by Moffett Music. Focus: Black Oklahoma's executive producers are Quraysh Ali Lansana and Bracken Klar. Our associate producers are Nick Alexandrov and Vanessa Gaona. Our production intern is Smriti Iyengar.

Today's meditation comes from The Book Of Proverbs in The Old Testament and from the writings of Quraysh Ali Lansana, with music by Wild Wonder.

Focus: Black Oklahoma has been selected to participate in the Advancing Democracy cohort with the Solutions Journalism Network, or SJN. Our series, In A Confused State, will follow Oklahoma advocacy groups navigating new restrictions on freedoms in four areas: reproductive rights, voting laws, teaching history and direct action/activism. Continuing this series, we begin with Juddie Williams and Dr. Nick Alexandrov as they break down the misconceptions of Critical Race Theory, or CRT, and that despite it not being a new concept, it is often misunderstood. We continue with Devin Williams and his story that tells us how, despite a 30 year history of activism including fighting for anti-segregation, a Bartlesville librarian is remembered with words for her service to the community but the actions she longed for have fallen on deaf ears. We continue with Tulsa's Martin Luther King Commemoration Society preparing for it's annual festivities and is urging participants to seek hope, action, and the fierce urgency of now-- which is the theme for this year's celebration. Carlos Moreno brings us this story. Next Focus Black Oklahoma is proud to present a new series discussing topics of health and wellness in the BIPOC community. Contributor Robert L. Caddy is a certified health and fitness expert who brings us more on how Oklahoma ranks in the nation on health. Contributor Britny Cordera takes us on a well seasoned adventure towards decolonizing menus across the country and finally Sondra Slade reminds us that sometimes it takes a while for good advice to soak in and, often, the credit seems to go to anyone but those closest to us. 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 Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies. Our theme music is by Moffett Music. Focus: Black Oklahoma's executive producers are Quraysh Ali Lansana and Bracken Klar. Our associate producers are Nick Alexandrov and Vanessa Gaona. Our production intern is Smriti Iyengar.

Focus: Black Oklahoma has been selected to participate in the Advancing Democracy cohort with the Solutions Journalism Network, or SJN. Our series, In A Confused State, will follow Oklahoma advocacy groups navigating new restrictions on freedoms in four areas: reproductive rights, voting laws, teaching history and direct action/activism. Continuing this series, we begin with Jamie Glisson exploring the impacts of the recent redistricting laws that continue to disenfranchise Black and Brown citizens. Next, contributor Devin Williams brings us more history and numbers on those still affected by the Oklahoma Death Penalty and what advocates hope to see after the high profile commutation of Julius Jones. Carlos Moreno then shows us how the Buck Colbert Franklin Legal Clinic is keeping the spirit of the local trailblazer alive as North Tulsa welcomes the opening of the Clinic which is already connecting with the community in big ways. The First Americans Museum celebrated its grand opening in September. Juddie Williams took a walk through to learn what the museum hopes to accomplish in representing Indigenous communities and sharing their values. Sondra Slade talks about the holidays and how food, especially this time of year, brings us together. Finally we say goodbye and thanks to Bell Hooks, Eddie Faye Gates, and Greg Tate. 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 Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies. Our theme music is by Moffett Music. Focus: Black Oklahoma's executive producers are Quraysh Ali Lansana and Bracken Klar. Our associate producers are Nick Alexandrov and Vanessa Gaona. Our production intern is Smriti Iyengar.

This is the final episode in our three-part series "The Battle for Greenwood" and is produced by Focus: Black Oklahoma, in partnership with KOSU. This episode, "Reparations," looks at Tulsa Race Massacre descendants' demands that they be compensated for their trauma; the City of Tulsa's pushback against reparations; the domestic history, and global context, of these calls for repayment; and the way recent reparations plans have played out in places like Rosewood, Florida, and Evanston, Illinois. "The Battle for Greenwood" team includes Jamie Glisson, Carlos Moreno, Jesse Ulrich, Kolby Webster, and Devin Williams and is produced by Dr. Nick Alexandrov. Focus: Black Oklahoma's executive producers are Quraysh Ali Lansana and Bracken Klar. Our associate producer is Vanessa Gaona. Our production intern is Smriti Iyengar. Focus: Black Oklahoma is supported in part by KOSU, Tulsa Artist Fellowship, the George Kaiser Family Foundation, and the Schusterman Family Philanthropies.

On this episode of Focus: Black Oklahoma we dive into the complications and chemicals of Capital Punishment with Carlos Moreno and Dr. Nick Alexandrov investigates healthcare as reparations. Focus: Black Oklahoma has been selected to participate in the Advancing Democracy cohort with the Solutions Journalism Network, or SJN. Our series "In a Confused State" follows Oklahoma advocacy groups navigating new restrictions on freedoms in three areas: reproductive rights, teaching history, and direct action/activism. In this installment Shalondra Harrison breaks down the anti-protest laws that now significantly impact our communities. Crystal Patrick uncovers some unrecognized contributions of Black WWII veterans and Britny Cordera explores the challenges of keeping Native languages alive. 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 Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies. Our theme music is by Moffett Music. Focus: Black Oklahoma's executive producers are Quraysh Ali Lansana and Bracken Klar. Our associate producers are Nick Alexandrov and Vanessa Gaona. Our production intern is Smriti Iyengar.

This is the second episode in our three-part series "The Battle for Greenwood" and is produced by Focus: Black Oklahoma, in partnership with KOSU. This episode, "What's Next, or Is Greenwood Rising?," investigates the contentious relationship and agendas between the two Chambers of Commerce in Greenwood; the backstory of the land on which ONEOK Field resides and its impact on the economic growth of the community; and an effort to remove Highway I-244, which is divisive in many ways. "The Battle for Greenwood" team includes Jamie Glisson, Carlos Moreno, Jesse Ulrich, Kolby Webster, and Devin Williams and is produced by Dr. Nick Alexandrov. Focus: Black Oklahoma's executive producers are Quraysh Ali Lansana and Bracken Klar. Our associate producer is Vanessa Gaona. Focus: Black Oklahoma is supported in part by KOSU, Tulsa Artist Fellowship, the George Kaiser Family Foundation, and the Schusterman Family Philanthropies.

Quraysh Ali Lansana is an award-winning poet, author, educator and entrepreneur from Enid, OK. He earned his MFA from New York University and has published numerous poetry books and articles. He is the creator of TriCity Collective, an organization that creates media content and educational materials focused on social justice and creative expression. Quraysh and his team developed the Fire in Little Africa educational curriculum, which will begin rolling out into schools this fall. In this episode, Quraysh sits down with Doc and Ali to talk about his origin story, the Fire In Little Africa curriculum and much more. Subscribe and leave us a review on Apple to support the podcast! To learn more about Fire In Little Africa: Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Spotify FireInLittleAfrica.com

This is the first episode in our three-part series "The Battle for Greenwood" and is produced by Focus: Black Oklahoma, in partnership with KOSU. This episode, "Street Fight," explores the complex history of the two incarnations of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre and their two different missions; the status of the Greenwood Cultural Center in light of the fact the Greenwood Rising History Center wasn't built next door; and how urban renewal has created what some consider a third massacre in the District. "The Battle for Greenwood" team includes Jamie Glisson, Carlos Moreno, Jesse Ulrich, Kolby Webster, and Devin Williams and was produced by Dr. Nick Alexandrov. Focus: Black Oklahoma's executive producers are Quraysh Ali Lansana and Bracken Klar. Our associate producer is Vanessa Gaona. Focus: Black Oklahoma is supported in part by KOSU, Tulsa Artist Fellowship, the George Kaiser Family Foundation, and the Schusterman Family Philanthropies.

In the years leading up to the horrific Tulsa massacre of 1921, the Greenwood district was a thriving Black metropolis, a city within a city. Buoyed by money from Oklahoma's oil boom, it was home to the original Cotton Club and to one of the first Black-owned daily newspapers in the United States, the Tulsa Star. The Star's founder and editor was A. J. Smitherman, a lawyer and the Alabama-born son of a coal miner. He addressed his eloquence and his ire at local nuisances like prostitution and gambling halls, as well as the gravest injustices of American life. The Radio Hour's KalaLea is the host of “Blindspot: Tulsa Burning.” She looks in this story at how Smitherman documented Greenwood at its height, and how he tried to prevent its destruction.  “Blind Spot: Tulsa Burning” is a six-part podcast co-produced by the History Channel and WNYC Studios, in collaboration with KOSU and Focus Black Oklahoma. The team includes Caroline Lester, Alana Casanova-Burgess, Joe Plourde, Emily Mann, Jenny Lawton, Emily Botein, Quraysh Ali Lansana, Bracken Klar, Rachel Hubbard, Anakwa Dwamena, Jami Floyd, and Cheryl Devall. The music is by Hannis Brown, Am're Ford, Isaac Jones, and Chad Taylor. The executive producers at the History Channel are Eli Lehrer and Jessie Katz. Raven Majia Williams is a consulting producer. Special thanks to Herb Boyd, Kelly Gillespie, Shelley Miller, Jodi-Ann Malarbe, Jennifer Lazo, Andrew Golis, Celia Muller, and Andy Lanset. Maurice Jones was the voice of A. J. Smitherman. Additional voices: Terrance McKnight, Dar es Salaam Riser, Javana Mundy, John Biewen, Jack Fowler, Tangina Stone, Emani Johnston, Danny Wolohan, and Jay Allison.

In the years leading up to the horrific Tulsa massacre of 1921, the Greenwood district was a thriving Black metropolis, a city within a city. Buoyed by money from Oklahoma's oil boom, it was home to the original Cotton Club and to one of the first Black-owned daily newspapers in the United States, the Tulsa Star. The Star's founder and editor was A. J. Smitherman, a lawyer and the Alabama-born son of a coal miner. He addressed his eloquence and his ire at local nuisances like prostitution and gambling halls, as well as the gravest injustices of American life. The Radio Hour's KalaLea is the host of “Blindspot: Tulsa Burning.” She looks in this story at how Smitherman documented Greenwood at its height, and how he tried to prevent its destruction.  “Blind Spot: Tulsa Burning” is a six-part podcast co-produced by the History Channel and WNYC Studios, in collaboration with KOSU and Focus Black Oklahoma. The team includes Caroline Lester, Alana Casanova-Burgess, Joe Plourde, Emily Mann, Jenny Lawton, Emily Botein, Quraysh Ali Lansana, Bracken Klar, Rachel Hubbard, Anakwa Dwamena, Jami Floyd, and Cheryl Devall. The music is by Hannis Brown, Am're Ford, Isaac Jones, and Chad Taylor. The executive producers at the History Channel are Eli Lehrer and Jessie Katz. Raven Majia Williams is a consulting producer. Special thanks to Herb Boyd, Kelly Gillespie, Shelley Miller, Jodi-Ann Malarbe, Jennifer Lazo, Andrew Golis, Celia Muller, and Andy Lanset. Maurice Jones was the voice of A. J. Smitherman. Additional voices: Terrance McKnight, Dar es Salaam Riser, Javana Mundy, John Biewen, Jack Fowler, Tangina Stone, Emani Johnston, Danny Wolohan, and Jay Allison.

Includes poems of remembrance by Quraysh Ali Lansana, Natasha Trethewey & Tracy K Smith as well as Ken Hada's “When Friends Gather”

On May 31, 1921, the Greenwood District of Tulsa, Oklahoma was a thriving city within a city -- a symbol of pride, success and wealth. The next morning, it was ashes. What happened remained a secret for almost a century. Voices featured in this trailer include: KalaLea, Chief Eguwale Amusan, Quraysh Ali Lansana, Raven Majia, and Dr. Tiffany Crutcher. The first episode drops Friday, May 28. Subscribe now.

On May 31, 1921, the Greenwood District of Tulsa, Oklahoma was a thriving city within a city -- a symbol of pride, success and wealth. The next morning, it was ashes. What happened remained a secret for almost a century. Voices featured in this trailer include: KalaLea, Chief Eguwale Amusan, Quraysh Ali Lansana, Raven Majia Williams, and Dr. Tiffany Crutcher. The first episode drops Friday, May 28. Subscribe now.

While we do not see the conversations behind closed doors, many state leaders have publicly proclaimed that education should see an increase in the next budget. Amanda Ewing returns to let us know how optimistic we should be and if there's reason to ask the question: "What's the catch?" Fried Okra is ecstatic to welcome Quraysh Ali Lansana, author of Opal's Greenwood Oasis and Oklahoma native, to discuss why he wrote the book and the importance for the lessons of Black Wallstreet, Greenwood, and the Tulsa Race Massacre to be taught and passed on.

We're pleased to welcome Quraysh Ali Lansana back to StudioTulsa; the writer, poet, educator, and Tulsa Artist Fellow joins us to discuss his newest book. That volume, "Opal's Greenwood Oasis," is a children's book for which he is the co-author. Aimed at elementary-school readers, the book profiles one Opal Brown, who takes her very first "on her own" bike ride throughout her home neighborhood of Greenwood in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The year is 1921, and Tulsa's infamous race massacre has not yet occurred, and this community -- one of the most prosperous Black American neighborhoods of the early 20th century -- is lovingly, vividly, and carefully depicted. As was noted of this work by Trey Ellis, the award-winning film producer: "A beautiful and poignant reminder of the industry, joy, and resilience of Black people in America."

Our guest on StudioTulsa is Carolyn Sickles, the Executive Director of Tulsa Artist Fellowship, or TAF, which is an arts-and-community-focused project of the George Kaiser Family Foundation. The TAF recently announced that it has given 22 of its fellows an Arts Integration Award for 2020-2021, which is meant to help these artists further their involvement with (and presence within) the Tulsa community via new works, new series, and so on. The award includes a $25,000 stipend, $10,000 in project resources, and also free living and work spaces. As Sickles tells us, a few of the notable, now-in-progress endeavors stemming from this award include Liz Blood's "Creative Field Guide to Northeastern Oklahoma," Joy Harjo's "We Were There When Jazz Was Invented: Jazz of Southeastern Native Nations Peoples," Karl Jones' "Goff-Fest," and Quraysh Ali Lansana's "The Namesake Project."

For the1 year anniversary of Pod4Good, Chris and Jesse host a livestream with some of our favorite guests and friends from the past year. We start off with recent guest Tommy Yap to update us on the Tulsa Voter Van and how they need funds to help buy cleaning supplies. Donate at www.donate.tulsavotervan.com. Then they are joined by Fairy Godmother of Pod4Good, Marcia Bruno-Todd and her daughter and occasional fan of the show, Emilia. She finally answers the most important question, who is Marcia's favorite. The answer is Jesse (yay!)Next is a panel discussion with Arielle Davis, Laura Bellis, Kara Joy McKee, Matt Gleason, Quraysh Ali Lansana and special guest DeVon Douglass.It is both fun and passionate episode, and please donate to the Tulsa Voter Van and don't forget to subscribe to Pod4Good anywhere podcasts can be found. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Includes the poem “Ellison visits greenwood, 1921” by Quraysh Ali Lansana, and poems from Nathan Brown's book “In the Days of Our Seclusion” and two by Ken Hada from “Sunlight & Cedar” (kenhada.org)

Today, we mark this Juneteenth with a conversation with historian Quraysh Ali Lansana. The Tulsa-based writer discusses the weekend's planned Trump rally, the legacies of anti-Black racism in Oklahoma, and how writers are coming together in solidarity. Then, we turn to free expression threats amid the election, liability for social platforms, and John Bolton's book with our CEO Suzanne Nossel for our Friday TOUGH QUESTIONS segment. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/penamerica/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/penamerica/support

Author, poet, and educator Quraysh Ali Lansana joins Chris and Jesse to talk about the work he is doing with the Tri-City Collective, its amazing programming, the upcoming Focus: Black Oklahoma radio series, what it was like to grow up as a black man in Enid, how teaching history requires educating about ALL of history, and how art can be used to help people deal with difficult topics.Keep up with all of the Tri-City Collective events on its Facebook page:https://www.facebook.com/TriCityCollective/List of 2020 Upcoming Events:Jan 10: Viewing of 1917 film and poetry readingJan 18: Real Talk Series: Black and Blue — The Black Community and the Police — at the Woody Guthrie CenterJanuary 23: Quraysh poetry readingJan 25: Public Opening of “Memories and Inspirations” — at the Gilcrease MuseumFeb 4: Real Talk Series: Comradeship of Excluded Peoples — at the Tulsa Jewish Community CenterSupport us here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/pod4good See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In honor of National Poetry Month, we're talking all things poetry for The Stacks Book Club. We're joined again by author, performance artist, and poet Gabrielle Civil, and we're discussing Ntozake Shange's poetry collection, Wild Beauty. If you're intimidated by poetry, you'll love today's episode. We talk about how to approach poetry, where to start, and if there is such thing as a "good" poem (or if that even matters). Plus a whole lot more. There a no spoilers today. Purchase Wild Beauty on IndieBound or Amazon. Everything we talk about on today's episode can be found below in the show notes. The Stacks participates in affiliate programs, and shopping through the links below helps support the show, at no cost to you. Wild Beauty by Ntozake ShangeEp. 55 The Art of Performance with Gabrielle Civil (The Stacks)Ask the Stacks -- askingthestacks@gmail.com Join The Stacks PackEp 162: The best bad ending you'll ever read--Traci Thomas (What Should I Read Next Podcast, Wondery)FREE Audible TrialFor Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf by Ntozake Shange"Obie-Winning Actor Laurie Carlos Dies at 67" ( Ruthie Fierberg, Playbill.com)Jessica HagedornNappy Edges by Ntozake ShangeA Daughter's Geography by Ntozake ShangeRidin' the Moon in Texas by Ntozake ShangeExperiments in Joy by Gabrielle CivilAttack of the Difficult Poems by Charles BernsteinImmortal Poems of the English Language by Oscar WilliamsLouis UntermeyerThe Hollow Men by T.S. EliotMother to Son by Langston HughesTaking the Arrow Out of the Heart by Alice WalkerHenri MatisseSwallow the Fish by Gabrielle Civil Carrie Mae WeemsBarbara Chase-RiboudSally Hemmings by Barbara Chase-RiboudThick by Tressie McMillan CottomWhat Doesn't Kill You Makes You Blacker by Damon YoungA Brief History of Seven Killings by Marlon JamesIf Beale Street Could Talk by James BaldwinIf Beale Street Could Talk (Barry Jenkins, 2018)Titus Andronicus by William ShakespeareLove's Labour's Lost by William ShakespeareTwelfth Night by William ShakespeareReplicas (Jeffrey Nachmanoff, 2019)What Work Is by Philip LevineHow to Lose A Guy in Ten Days (Donald Petrie, 2003)VS podcast (Poetry Foundation) Don't Call Us Dead by Danez Smith[insert] Boy by Danez SmithSoft Science by Franny ChoiFloating, Brilliant Gone by Fanny ChoiPoetry Foundation--Poetry SubscriptionOcean VuongThe BreakBeat Poets: New American Poetry in the Age of Hip-Hop edited by Kevin Coval, Quraysh Ali Lansana, and Nate MarshallThe BreakBeat Poets Vol. 2: Black Girl Magic edited by Jamila Woods, Mahogany L. Browne, and Idrissa SimmondsPremonitions : The Kaya Anthology of New Asian North American Poetry by Walter LewTinderNarrative MuseThe Color Purple (Steven Spielberg, 1985)The Color Purple by Alice WalkerTiffany HaddishZoe SaldanaNina (Cynthia Mort, 2016)Center Stage (Nicholas Hytner, 2000)Debbie AllenMarsai MartinLittle (Tina Gordon, 2019)Sweet Honey and the RockSalt by Nayyirah Waheednejma by Nayyirah Waheed Connect with Gabrielle's: Gabrielle's Facebook | Gabrielle's Website Connect with The Stacks: Instagram | The Stacks Website | Facebook | Twitter | Subscribe | Patreon | Goodreads | Traci's Instagram To contribute to The Stacks, join The Stacks Pack, and get exclusive perks, check out our Patreon page. We are beyond grateful for anything you're able to give to support the production of this show. If you prefer to do a one time contribution go to paypal.me/thestackspod. Sponsors Audible- to get your FREE audiobook download and FREE 30 day trial go to audibletrial.com/thestacks. The Stacks participates in affiliate programs. We receive a small commission when products are purchased through links on this website, and this comes at no cost to you. Shopping through these links helps support the show, but does not effect opinions on books and products. For more information click here.

An Interview with Quraysh Ali Lansana, New Book review and more. Dial 646 716-5525

This week on Open Stacks, we're celebrating Chicago's own legendary Gwendolyn Brooks on her 101st birthday.  Reginald Gibbons, Angela Jackson, Quraysh Ali Lansana, Georgia Popoff, Troy Harden, and Cheryl Clarke join us for conversations and readings about her life and legacy.

Close reading of several Gwendolyn Brooks poems by working poets Georgia Popoff, Stephen Kuusisto, and Bob Herz, and the last of Ms. Brooks' proteges, Quraysh Ali Lansana.

Close reading of several Gwendolyn Brooks poems by working poets Georgia Popoff, Stephen Kuusisto, and Bob Herz, and the last of Ms. Brooks' proteges, Quraysh Ali Lansana.

Discussion of the life and significance of Gwendolyn Brooks with one of her proteges, the poet Quraysh Ali Lansana, and working poet colleagues Georgia Popoff, Stephen Kuusisto, and Bob Herz.

Discussion of the life and significance of Gwendolyn Brooks with one of her proteges, the poet Quraysh Ali Lansana, and working poet colleagues Georgia Popoff, Stephen Kuusisto, and Bob Herz.

Join Cheri as she talks with poets Christopher Stewart and Quraysh Ali Lansana about their new collection of poems The Walmart Republic. You'll hear poems from this new and experiential collection, they'll discuss creative process, the politics of poetry and the magic of collaboration! ABOUT THE POETS Quraysh Ali Lansana is author of seven poetry books, three textbooks, a children's book, editor of eight anthologies, and coauthor of a book of pedagogy. He is Associate Professor of English/Creative Writing at Chicago State University, where he served as Director of the Gwendolyn Brooks Center for Black Literature and Creative Writing from 2002-2011. Our Difficult Sunlight: A Guide to Poetry, Literacy & Socia l Justice in Classroom & Community (with Georgia A. Popoff) was published in March 2011 by Teachers & Writers Collaborative and was a 2012 NAACP Image Award nominee. Lansana’s poetry collection mystic turf was released in October 2012 by Willow Books; his most recent collection of poems, reluctant minivan, was published in May 2014 by Living Arts, Tulsa. . Christopher Stewart’s poetry has appeared in numerous poetry journals and the anthology, Power Lines: A Decade of Poetry from Chicago’s Guild Complex. His collaborations with music artists include his work with the group Circadian Rhythm, which was featured on the audio anthology, A Snake in the Heart: Poems and Music by Chicago Spoken Word Performers. He is an assistant professor in the Graduate School of Library and Information Science at Dominican University.

The DuSable Museum is one of the nation's premier institutions dedicated to the history, art, and culture of the African diaspora. Quraysh Ali Lansana reads from his collection They Shall Run: Harriet Tubman Poems.

"Confronting the Warpland: Black Poets of Chicago" is a one-hour radio documentary presenting African American poets who have found influence and inspiration living in Chicago. Beginning with the Great Migration of the early 20th century when millions of African Americans came from the South to the urban North, the program examines the ways in which black poets have chronicled Chicago’s complex history through poetry and continue to do so today. The documentary features poets Gwendolyn Brooks, Tyehimba Jess, Quraysh Ali Lansana, Haki Madhubuti, Sterling Plumpp, and Margaret Walker in interviews, readings, and archival recordings. "Confronting the Warpland: Black Poets of Chicago" is a production of the Poetry Foundation. It was written and produced by Ed Herrmann and narrated by Richard Steele.