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Interview Summary You know I really like the innovative nature of Food On The Move, and I'm eager for you to tell us more about what it involves. But before we do that, how does a young, highly successful musician turn to battling food insecurity? What led you to create Food On The Move? It took me years to say I even created it. I didn't even use the term founder because I really had this sense of partnership that was a part of how it came to be. But I did found or 'start' Food On The Move because I have just a deep sense of gratitude in my life experience and also maybe a calling? I call it the tap on the shoulder that said there's more for you to do. There's more for me to do. And I didn't really know what that meant. I wanted to invest in Oklahoma and where we're from because as a musician, first you travel, you leave, you go out, you connect with people all over the world. But there's something about building and doing well for your community from the town you're from. And I was inspired by a former US ambassador. A man named Edward Perkins, who was an incredible representative of our country. He worked in some of the most difficult parts of the world representing the US and working with other nations. And his story struck me so deeply because he found ways to partner and transform communities as an ambassador. And I got to know him after his time as an ambassador because he was teaching as a professor at OU (Oklahoma University), in Oklahoma. And I asked him, I said - I want to honor your life. I want to learn from you. If I was to begin to really impact my community, Oklahoma where I'm from and maybe beyond, where would you begin? And he said, I would start with food. That's so interesting. You know, your concept of partnership is so interesting. I'd like to dive into that a little bit deeper in a little bit. But first, tell us about your organization and what it does, how it works, what it tries to accomplish. Yes. So, inspired by Ambassador Perkins' example, we set out to ask the right questions more than have the answers. And in 2014, I just basically cold called everyone in the community that worked in food - from the food bank to the food pantries and said ‘help me understand the gaps.' Help me understand where it's hard to accomplish change. And the term food desert began coming up more and more. And food deserts are communities without grocery stores. So, think of it as the canary in the mine. Sort of when a grocery store goes, the neighborhood is declining. Because they're small margin organizations they have a hard time staying afloat and when they go it's hard to bring them back because you need either a company like a big chain or a small business that doesn't have a lot of resources. And oftentimes that decline continues, and it impacts the community. So, with Food On The Move I basically brought together partners to create an access point in food deserts where it's was all in kind. From food trucks that could bring great, tasty food and give people dignity and excitement and energy, to partners that are doing food safety training and teaching people to cook. And places like Oklahoma State University extension where they train people about how to prepare food because they may not know. And so, all these partners came together, and we basically spent five years just learning and serving people in those communities. And focusing on an environment that was not about raising a bunch of money; it was really about who is already in this space that we can garner relationships with and get to know the communities. And now those events continue to be flagships. We call them food and resource festivals. They are a pay-as-you-can. You show up, you get access to fresh produce, you have food trucks, you have wraparound services. You have people that are in the community, in different nonprofits, for-profits, and government organizations that we all collaborate with. And we reach people where they are while serving and getting to know them and learning from them. And through those relationships, through those events - which we still do - what it's brought us to is the innovation and education side, and ultimately transformation. We realized in order to change food deserts, end food deserts, bring grocery stores back, that we had to get to the heart of the food system. Which is we had to be teaching people to grow things again, rebuild the local foundation of farmers being trained, use new, innovative systems like indoor growing and aquaponics, hydroponics. And basically, we had to kind of build the foundation back that's been lost since post World War II in our community, like many places. And that means a food hub to bridge farmers to distributors. That means training those farmers for the future. And it ultimately means building a new model for a grocery store. So, we are at the heart of that now with a project we call Food Home, where we are building a campus that is like a microcosm of the food system. Hopefully could be the end of this year, we'll see. Construction is always tricky. But, for sure by the start of first quarter next year, we'll be opening a 10,000 square foot urban farm, which is a training facility, and producing hundreds of thousands of pounds of food every year, and this is really the launchpad for future farmers. My God, I mean, and one of those things you mentioned would be wonderful to dive into and talk about a lot. Because I mean, each is impressive in its own right. But you bring them together, you're probably doing some of the most extensive, impressive things I know of around the country. Let me ask how you address the fundamental issue that we've actually faced ourselves. So communities often feel set upon by outsiders coming in to help. You know, it could be a philanthropy, it could be universities, it could be somebody, you know, who's just coming in well-meaning, wanting to help. But nonetheless may not know the communities or understand the realities of day-to-day life and things like that. And people from communities have often told us that 'we're in the best position to come up with solutions that will work for the members of our own community.' How did you work through those things? Well, this is always why my story elevator pitch tends to be too long. Because I want to actually talk about that element. It's not super elevator pitchy because what it involves is building relationships and trust and what I first learned from Ambassador Perkins. I'll tell you a small story of his example and it really rocked me. I asked him where would you start if you wanted to change community? Because I'd learned from his story that he had actually done it. He was sent to South Africa at the heart of the Apartheid Movement to with a mission from at the time President Ronald Reagan, to free Nelson Mandela from prison and help dismantle the Apartheid system. This is about as high a mark as anybody could have. And he had no policy. They said you're going to make policy. And what he did was so extraordinary, and I think is the mark of his success. And that's, to answer your question, he said, I recognized that every ambassador had held court. You are one step away from the president of the United States, which means you're always the most powerful person in the room. And other ambassadors, he'd ask them to come to him. But you had this deep divide between Black and white, deep divide between economics. And so, what he did was he told his team when he went to South Africa, he said, put the American flags on the front of the car, roll the windows down and take me to the townships. Take me to the neighborhoods. They need to know I'm here. And he took the time to build real relationships and build trust with communities. Black, white, rich, and poor, you know, old and young. He really did the time. And so that model, though obviously South Africa is a deeply entrenched community that, you know, especially that time. And this is kind of world politics, but I listened to that. And I thought, wow, we have a divide in our own community. And it's true of so many American cities. And where people, they see an area and they say that's not my community. They're going to come to me. And so, Food On The Move is built on we will build a partnership-based foundation which is like a block party where you walk up, and I'm a musician, I'm a DJ. So, we have a DJ playing music, we have food trucks. It smells great. You have smiling faces. You have a feeling that when you go there, you're not there, like, I need help and I'm in a soup kitchen. It's like there's a community party and you get invited and everyone's available to go there because if you want to give, you can go. If you don't have a dollar in your pocket, you go. And everybody leaves with the same treatment. And that foundation, the way we go about building those relationships, that is the heart and soul of how we are getting to the question and then trying to answer: we need more grocery stores, and we need more farmers. Because we heard it from the neighborhood. And I'll wrap up the answer a little bit which is to say we have multiple community farms as well as our own training farms. And we've worked in middle schools to teach young people to grow things with high-end aquaponics. You know, statistically the worse school in the city. But we've seen it just rocket people to engagement and better education and being fired up to come to school. But the community grow beds are the real test because you can't just drop a community grow bed and say, ‘Hey, isn't this awesome? Here's your grow bed.' You have to stay engaged with community, but you also have to invite them to be participants. And so, we work with our neighbors. We treat one another as neighbors, and you are right, it is wrought with pick your cliche. You know, the complex of the outsider coming in with money. The contrast between racial issues and economic issues. It's so wrought with problems potentially. But I believe that real solutions are possible when you build relationships. It sounds like one of the, you didn't say this directly, but one of the most important things you did was listen. Tell me about that a little more. Well, yes. I mean, I said it. I kind of coined this phrase now because I realize it's so true. We really started with I think good questions, not good answers. And so, the listening... first of all, the listening started with people that were doing work. So, if you went to the food bank, the question wasn't, ‘hey, we're here to help.' This is what we want to do. It was what's going on? You're the food bank, you guys have been here since the '80s. And hey, you're the health department. Hey, you're a food truck, like, what do you see? And I determined early that we needed to always have three pillars. We need to always have representation of for-profit, non-profit, and government agencies at some level. And so, a food truck is a business, right? They understand how hard it is to get people to show up and make a living, right? And you know, a nonprofit or an agency they know about service, they know about the stats. And frankly, however you are on the political spectrum, the government agencies, whatever they happen to be, they have a role to play. They have, whether big or small. Again, people of different walks of life have different views on that. But they should be a part of the conversation no matter what. And so, that was the first step. And then I like to say, an example Kelly, of kind of the dynamic shift is - if you walk up to somebody you barely know, you're not going to tell them like, ‘hey man, I'm not sure about that shirt. Or you got something in your tooth,' you know? Or, ‘have you really considered redecorating your house? Like, it's kind of dated.' Those are things you get to say to friends. You know, you tell a friend, ‘hey man, you know, suck it in. You're taking a picture.' You know? And so at the foundation, the questions we were asking were also why do you think this has happened? Why is a neighborhood that was a thriving new neighborhood in 1965 now dangerous and in decline. And talking with elders. And they became and have become some of our greatest advocates. And you know what? It's not flashy. You show up and you just keep showing up. And you show up when it's rainy and you show up when it's cold. And at some point people go. Wow. Like they're actually going to do this. So, you know, we're still doing it. We're not there. There's no finish line on this. So consistent with what we found in our own work about the importance of showing up. I'm happy that you raised that particular term. Speaking of terms, when I introduced you there, I used this term that I pulled right from your website about the legacy issues created by food insecurity. What do you mean by that? Yes. So legacy issues. You know, people develop heart disease, diabetes, frankly anxiety, ADHD/ADD things. A lot of stuff that's diet and a lot of things that's habit. So, if you grow up in a house that nobody ever cooked really. Because the neighborhood lost its store. Mom and dad were busy. Maybe a single parent home. You know, look, my wife and I have blessed, we have seven children. Wow. And we have a full house. And even with, you know, plenty of resources and plenty of support, it's still hard to do right. It's still hard to eat well. You know, you're running and you're gunning. And so legacy issues are habits. Eating habits. Consumption habits. By the way, poverty does not discriminate on race. Poverty hits whoever it hits, right? And so, Black and white, different backgrounds you'd be speaking with somebody that, 'like I've never seen a red bell pepper. I didn't know that existed. I've never seen What is That's a kiwi. What's a kiwi? I don't want to eat that.' You know? And so, the legacy issues are health, habits, education. Also, if you've never had access to resources, if you've never had an uncle that became an attorney or somebody that knew how to manage money because your neighborhood was a history of decline. You just don't know anybody. Or even worse, you have communities because of poverty that everybody in your family knows somebody that was in jail or was headed to jail because of their climate, their environment. And things that occur because of limited, you know, resources. And things that happen among, you know, communities with less available to them. And you have to take judgment and just throw it across the room. Just completely eject any sense of judgment. And recognize that somebody that's grown up with those different parameters, they're carrying those around. So, you're trying to restart. You're trying to begin again. And say, you know, let's get us back to having as little baggage behind us. Let's get diabetes out of the way. Let's get heart disease (out of the way) and we're going to do it by eating good food. Or getting educated. And it's not going to happen quick. It's going to happen through probably an entire generation if we're lucky. Now, let me ask a related question about dignity because this comes up in the way you've spoken about this. And in the way our country has addressed hunger. I mean, going back to when the War on Hunger began really in the 1960s, it was a nation's compassionate response to a very real issue that so many people faced. But the solution wasn't to try to give people more financial means so they could buy their own food and not have to face this. It was to give them food. But to do so in ways that really did destroy dignity in many ways. How are you addressing that and how does that term figure into the work you're doing? Well, I love the way you couch that. And unfortunately, among these discussions, people glom onto certain aspects if they have their own sort of paradigm that's ingrained. And one, you have to throw out ideology and focus on, I think, common sense. And the short answer is we believe in teach a man to fish as the philosophy. There is no way to ultimately change things if your goal is not aligned with creating opportunity, creating, transitioning folks that have not been able to support their families, to finding ways to transform that. And that comes by getting to know one another. That comes with creating education. And that comes with looking at the whole system. And so, when I brought sort of to my team this answer or this proposal of why we need to build Food Home. The Food Home campus. It wasn't just that I had some epiphany that I walked into the desert and came back with an idea. It was built around the work we were doing. And we already had somebody that wanted to build a grocery store. We already had somebody that was farm focused, thinking about food hub to bridge the gap with farmers. We had a study that was done by a local foundation that said we don't have enough farmers right now to get all the local food. And we need local because it's more affordable. We shouldn't be paying for our lettuce to travel from California to Oklahoma. We don't need to do that. And so, dignity and building the transition, the future, is about looking at the whole and being willing to do, I think, the hard work. Which is to realize our food, our food economy has to change. And recognizing that opportunity is not a bad word, you know? Economic investment in communities. These are good things. And at the same time, you meet people where they are. You meet them right where they are. And when COVID happened, our pitch about building Food Home and building the food systems and training people to grow things, it pivoted a little bit. Because people saw for the first time in a generation what it's like when the food's not there. Like you're in Oklahoma and we were the distribution partner for the USDA doing Farm to Family boxes. Food On The Move was. We had trucks that were designated for us from farmers that had been supported by government purchasing to bring food to food banks, and to resources, to communities. And we had a truck that was a state away and we were supposed to go get that truck and give it to people that needed it in our neighborhood in Oklahoma. And we were going guys, if we had a food home, a food hub, a bridge between local farmers, every community would know where their food is coming from. And so there is a food security side of this discussion as well which is that we need to have sovereignty. We need to have structure that gives us access and that builds long-term economic sustainability. And Oklahoma is a great example of this. We used to have a very thriving local farm community system. All my grandparents, my parents, they went to farmer's markets. They bought great food. And many of those folks working in that land because there's not a food hub that bridges this medium farmer to the distributors - they've lost economic ability to scale. And they do better to sell their land to a developer and grow sod or put a bunch of houses on it. And that has got to change. You know, you reinforce the idea that there's a lot of ingenuity in communities. And lots of good ideas about how to solve the problems. And many times, the people that are wanting to help communities can be helped best by just supporting the ideas that are already there. Because, as I said, we've encountered so much ingenuity from people in the communities who've been thinking about these issues for a long time. Let me ask something. You kind of began this by talking about food deserts and grocery stores leaving areas. And you've come up with a lot of creative ways of compensating for the loss of grocery stores. But what about correcting that problem. What about getting more grocery stores back into these areas? Is that something that you guys deal with? That's ultimately our mission. I mean, I say the mission is the solution so that I don't want to put it into one square box called a store. But the store departing is at the heart of the key question we're asking. Why? And so, the Food Home campus is a four phased vision. And the first two phases are underway, or about to be open with the food hub and the urban farm. The second two are a community hub, which is teaching and training people to prepare and cook food better, getting urban and rural together. And the last phase, which started as the first, by the way. It began as the first thinking we're just going to get a store. We realized you had to get the food chain right before you could build a better store. And so the model for a store, we believe, is going to be probably a hybrid between a fresh delivery and a physical place that is there living right at the heart of a neighborhood. Let's do an update on this here as we get to opening that door, because I believe what we've seen is the umbrella that allows the small store is still needed. That's, kind of, we're stepping in with a food hub. We're stepping in with a bigger footprint, buying power, larger volume, purchasing local. But really entrepreneurs where single operators are invested in owning and operating that store. They're also committed more to that store. It's not just a corporate line item. I'm interested in studying, frankly, some of the really smart food franchisees that have understood the power of creating economic models that are sustainable. But you have to connect them to a bigger umbrella to help support that medium grocer. It's going to be a combination of those things. But yeah, we have to get stores where you can actually buy your food and it is affordable and it is quality. Quality becomes an interesting issue here. And I haven't looked at the research literature on this for a little while. When I did, there was some research looking at what happened to the quality of nutrition in neighborhoods where grocery stores had left or had come back in. And it didn't seem to make a lot of difference in terms of overall nutrition profile of the people there. It provided some real benefits. Access. People didn't have to go a long way to get their groceries. Costs tended to come down, so there were some real benefits aside from nutrition. But just focusing on nutrition, of course a big supermarket brings more fresh fruits and vegetables. But it also brings aisle after aisle of highly processed, highly calorie dense foods that aren't necessarily helpful. So, the fact that you're working on the healthy food part of the equation and finding ways to get foods from farms to people, not necessarily from a big food processing plant. From farms to people, is really an important part of the overall picture, isn't it? Fresh produce is the sort of heart and soul of the food dilemma. And so yes, it is very, very tricky. You know, a little bit like how do you raise a child to have good habits? We're all trying to have good habits and we still eat hamburgers and fries because they're delicious. So, going back to dignity, I do not believe, and this is my perspective mixed with the data and the experience. I don't believe, the opinion side, in deciding whether or not people deserve certain things. And early on when we started the food pop-up events, I suggested, 'hey, call the food trucks. Have the pizza truck come have because they're awesome and they're mobile and they can show up.' And we had some folks that were partners that kind of went well, but that's greasy food and that's, you know, it's X, Y, and Z. And this is what I said to that: it's like, look, our job is first to meet people and treat them like we would want to be treated. And then we work on the produce. And so, with a grocery store, you're absolutely right. You can't just drop good food somewhere and think everybody's going to get healthy. Most people are going to eat what they like. But mostly the barrier to entry on healthy food is economics. People do not have the dollars to buy the kale or to buy the fresh tomatoes. Most people actually do, find that they will, you know, consume that food. But you have to get the generational conversation happening where families have grown up seeing fresh produce. Cooking with fresh produce. And they can actually buy it. And that's not going to happen unless we get food closer. Because the closer food allows us to cut down the margin that's going to transportation and make quality food more affordable. Makes good sense. So you've been at this a while. What have you learned? How do you look at things differently now than when you started? I learned that creating change is not for the faint of heart. First of all, you better really sort of revel in a challenge. And also, we've touched on several of the elements of what I've learned. You have to build trust. You can't expect people to just change just because you say so. You also have to be really interested in learning. Like, not just learning because you have to, but you have to be interested in understanding. And I think that's at the heart of getting to solutions. It's not even just asking the right question. It's actually being interested in the answer to that question. Like it's wanting to genuinely know. And so, these are all things I put in and I'll say the last, which is not the sexy one. It's difficult to build a good organization that's sustainable. And we've spent the second half of the Food On The Move journey building a strong team, hiring the right CEO, building a great board, having governance, having sustainability in your culture. I mean, these are business things and you know, I'm the founder. I'm a board member. I'm at the heart of who we are, but we've had to build a team. And so, anybody that wants to make things sustainable or create sustainable change, and this would be my last takeaway to your question, is you have to grow past yourself. You have to be anticipating giving that away. Growing much, much further than the bottleneck of the big idea person. But you also have to stay in stewardship mode. So, that's kind of where I am now is how do we make this continue to grow towards the solutions we're hoping for? And how do I stay engaged, fired up, focused, inspired to get the team involved, but also trust people on the team to do what they have been asked to do. I'd like to pick up on something that you mentioned along the way, which is work that you're doing on urban farming, and you mentioned things like hydroponics and aquaponics. Tell us a little bit more about that. Wo we came across hydroponics and aquaponics because when you look at growing methodologies, one of the challenges we have is our eating habits have changed. People don't just eat seasonally. We've become accustomed to getting strawberries year-round and getting all these different flavors. And you can't expect that that's just going to happen. We're not just going to change that and make everybody eat the harvest of Ohio or the harvest of Tulsa. Like we all expect good food when we do go to the store. The economics of food means people are ready to buy certain things. And for a sustainable grocery store, you need to have the things that people will buy. So, aquaponics and hydroponics are new technologies that were pioneered to create high production and high volume in areas that might have different climates. You can grow year round. The things that grow best are leafy greens, but you can grow all kinds of things. Tomatoes, you know, vining plants. Cucumbers. You can grow incredible amounts of food. A large portion of your food can be grown through these indoor systems, and they cost more to start than a traditional dirt farm. But once established they produce year round, they are more resilient with obviously pests and weather and things like that. With aquaponics and hydroponics you have systems that naturally are organic. They need to be organic because that's how they function, you know? Fish tanks, you know, that are naturally fertilizing. The fish are giving the plants what they need. This is cool stuff. So, we were led to those systems because sustainability and better food and more of it for small communities in a place like Oklahoma where you have hot and cold, and if you can grow year round, then you could have a cash crop that somebody could build a business with and provide better for that store. And not be buying it from Mexico or California. I mean, God bless Mexico and California, but we're putting too much food on a truck. And it's older than it should be, and it's sprayed with stuff because it needs to look good when it shows up, and that's hurting everybody. So, we need new methodologies. Well, and not only are you producing food, but it's a community driven solution because it's right there. People in the community can own it, can run it, can work at it, and things like that. And just it's mere presence probably signals something very positive that is good economically good nutritionally, but also good psychologically, I think. So, let me ask one parting question. Hunger has been an issue in the United States for a long, long time. And it continues to be. And now there have been even more cutbacks than before and the SNAP program and things like that. Are you optimistic that we can address this problem and do you think a local very creative and innovative local solution that you're talking about in Oklahoma, can that be exported and replicated and are you optimistic? Let me just ask you that. Are you optimistic is an interesting question because I don't think we can afford not to be optimistic. If you ask a parent, are you optimistic your child will eat, there's no choice there. Your child will eat. Or you will die trying to feed them. And I've spoken to, you know, leadership groups and rotary clubs and nonprofits about different aspects of my journey. And I think the heart of this issue is to not make it an option that we don't solve this. We cannot talk about feeding our community. And by the way, I don't mean feeding them just like I said, through nonprofit, but changing the culture and eliminating hunger in this country. And really, it's facing hunger. We can't make it an option that we don't. My perspective is, I think it's going to take, solutions like what Food On the Move is doing, which is at the heart of understanding our food systems. And we are definitely building. Everything we're doing is to try and have a model hoping that what we're doing in Oklahoma, which has a lot of parallels to, you know, whether you're talking about North Carolina or Ohio or Missouri, or Houston. All these communities have a lot of similarities. We believe that if we can show that you build trust, you then develop models, you then train future farmers. You build an infrastructure to launch and bridge the gap between small and medium farmers. And then here's a model for a better store that's sustainable. We believe that we're going to be able to show that that is a long road, but the road that is maybe less traveled but needed. And that could be the difference that's needed. So, it's fingers are crossed. BIO Tulsa native Taylor Hanson grew up in a home where artistic expression was encouraged and celebrated. At the age of nine he, along with brothers Isaac and Zac, formed the band HANSON. Just five years later their debut album was released and the lead single, “MMMBop”, hit number one in 27 countries, and earned the group 3 GRAMMY nominations. At the age of 20, he co-founded 3CG Records, allowing the band to produce music on their own terms, and is recognized as a longtime advocate for independent music globally. The group continues to produce meaningful music for its ever-growing fanbase. Hanson possesses a deep commitment to social change. In 2007 he inspired others to make an impact through simple actions, co-founding non-profit Take The Walk, combating extreme poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa. In 2014, he founded Food On The Move, which provides access, education, and innovative solutions, to transform food deserts and the legacy issues created by food insecurity. Since its founding, Food On The Move has distributed millions of pounds of fresh produce to members of the Oklahoma community, and is a leader in the movement to reshape sustainable local food systems. He has been instrumental in a number of community-oriented music initiatives, including contributing to “The Sounds of Black Wall Street”, to commemorate the centennial of the Tulsa Race Massacre, spearheading “For Women Life Freedom” highlighting the human-rights atrocities taking place in Iran, and currently serves as is a National Trustee of the Recording Academy. Hanson, his wife Natalie, and their seven children, make their home in Tulsa, where he was recently named Tulsan of the Year. 

Doug Dodd, a life-long Tulsan, was a television news reporter and documentary producer for KOTV and KTUL-TV before graduating from law school, and is one of a very few Tulsa attorneys who regularly represents national and local magazines, newspapers, and television stations, and media companies with an emphasis on First Amendment and defamation issues.Doug served on the Tulsa Public Schools Board of Education for 11 years and was a candidate for Oklahoma's First Congressional District seat in 2002 and 2004. Doug is a veteran of the United States Air Force Strategic Air Command, where he served as a Deputy Missile Combat Crew Commander.Doug has been fortunate enough to meet, know, or cover many of Tulsa's most notable people. Before entering private law practice in 1982, Doug served as a Law Clerk for United States District Judge James O. Ellison in the Northern District of Oklahoma.You can hear Doug's oral history on the podcast and website VoicesOfOklahoma.com.

More fallout is coming from Stitt's crackdown on unhoused Tulsans.Mental health providers in Oklahoma worry over cuts from the state.A new report shines a light on chronic absenteeism by State Superintendent Ryan Walters.You can find the KOSU Daily wherever you get your podcasts, you can also subscribe, rate us and leave a comment.You can keep up to date on all the latest news throughout the day at KOSU.org and make sure to follow us on Facebook, Tik Tok and Instagram at KOSU Radio.This is The KOSU Daily, Oklahoma news, every weekday.

Governor Stitt calls for a crackdown on Tulsa's unhoused population.A state lawmaker is questioning the approval of a new governor's mansion.We take a look at this weekend's college football games.You can find the KOSU Daily wherever you get your podcasts, you can also subscribe, rate us and leave a comment.You can keep up to date on all the latest news throughout the day at KOSU.org and make sure to follow us on Facebook, Tik Tok and Instagram at KOSU Radio.This is The KOSU Daily, Oklahoma news, every weekday.

On Wednesday, Tulsa's City Council is set to vote on an ordinance that would limit what Tulsans can do on sidewalks and medians. The proposed ordinance comes after two incidents, one in 2023, and one in 2024, where two separate people were killed while standing in center medians.Councilor Phil Lakin, who spoke to The Frontier on Monday about the ordinance, said it was about public safety. Many medians in Tulsa are narrow, and in zones where the speed limit is above 25 miles per hour, he believes standing in the median is a safety hazard. The ordinance would also potentially apply to sidewalks that are within 18 inches of the street as well.But when it comes to enforcement, some, including City Councilor Laura Bellis, fear the ordinance will only be applied to those panhandling, and she fears fines associated with the ordinance could prove too costly.On this episode of Listen Frontier, we hear from Bellis, Lakin, and Deputy Council Administrator Sarah Davis ahead of Wednesday's meeting. This is Listen Frontier, a podcast exploring the investigative journalism of the Frontier and featuring conversations with those on the frontlines of Oklahoma's most important stories. Listen to us Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Stitcher.To donate to The Frontier and help support our efforts to grow investigative journalism in Oklahoma, click here.

Sex scandals and whistleblowers routinely make national headlines, but for years one Oklahoma whistleblower's report has been swept under the rug. Dr. Whitney Louis was fired in January 2023 from her job as a prison psychologist at the Dr. Eddie Warrior Correctional Center in Taft, after she reported numerous instances of rape and sexual assault of inmates by prison staff. Jeremy Kuzmarov has the story.In Oklahoma, just on the border of Kansas, stands a ghost town haunted not by ghosts or evil spirits but by extreme pollution. The abandoned town of Picher is part of the Tar Creek Superfund Site, so declared in 1983 due to contamination from mining operations. Over 40 years later, little cleanup progress has been made but two non-governmental organizations are working to change that. FBO's Roma Carter has more.In recent months the City of Tulsa has introduced myriad solutions to address the issue of homelessness. These programs and policy changes — ranging from additional shelters, increased access to services, and the installation of boulders at the Denver Avenue bus station downtown — have many Tulsans raising questions about how these decisions are made and whether they will achieve their intended outcomes. Listen to Carlos Moreno for more.The third annual Legacy Open Rodeo will take place Saturday August 23rd in Purcell. Focus: Black Oklahoma is a sponsor of the Legacy Open Rodeo, which is the only rodeo in the state led by a woman. Jamie Glisson tells about this Oklahoma original.It's been said that "laughter is the best medicine," but when Sondra Slade was trapped at an airport gate with a loquacious lady, she had to come up with a new cure of her own.  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 interns are Alexander Evans, Jordan Sinkfield, Jess Grimes, & Roma Carter. 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.

Lucas McGraw joins us from Tulsa, Oklahoma looking for questions on Star Wars, Dexter, The Bible, and health/medicine. We love the Tulsans around here, so Lucas should fit right in. Have a listen - and be sure to check out his links!Episode Links:Where to eat in Tulsa? Meddys Mediterranean RestaurantWhere do you host? Laurannae Coffee HouseLast Wikipedia Search? Things that happened in 2018Non-Trivia Podcast Recs? Star Wars MinuteFavorite Movie Soundtrack? Shrek 2Something you learned in the last week: I Love Lucy's network intro was different from the syndicated intro.Thanks Lucas! Be sure to listen to his podcast, Knowledge Quest!And be sure to check out our links here: https://linktr.ee/TriviaWorkshop

Watch our latest episode of the Live United Podcast, hosted by Jesse Guardiola and featuring Isabel Flores, a bilingual reporter with 2 News Oklahoma. The discussion explores how Isabel's cultural background and language skills allow her to connect with and report on stories within Tulsa's Hispanic community, often serving as a crucial voice. She highlights the importance of covering stories that showcase community resilience, collaboration, and Tulsans coming together to support one another, reflecting the core values of Living United.

Lindsay Morris is the creator of Tulsa Places, an Instagram account that shares her love of local places in and around the Tulsa area. Lindsay, a native Tulsan, realized while attending college at Oral Roberts University that she was passionate about sharing her insight into all the cool, fun places and spaces that Tulsa has to offer with her fellow college friends. In fact, many would seek her out for her local knowledge. So, what started as sketching out maps for her fellow classmates in her college dorm room, showcasing the must-visit places, turned into a blog and later transitioned into her current social media site called, @tulsaplaces. During this visit, you'll learn more about Lindsay and although she has a job she enjoys, she'll share more about this hobby, or past time, and how it's been an instrumental source of deep joy and connection. She'll also share some interesting places to visit around T-town!     You can connect with Lindsay on Instagram: @tulsaplaces.

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 the late 1970s and early 1980s, the Junior League of Tulsa conducted oral history interviews with pioneer Tulsans on medicine, lifestyles, architecture, government, business, education, journalism, and many other subjects regarding the early history of Tulsa. The collection rests with the Tulsa City-County Library.One of the interviews featured Lewis Meyer. For sixty years, Meyer was a Tulsa institution as an author, bookstore owner, and book reviewer. Lewis Meyer was an attorney who found practicing law dreadfully boring, so he opened a bookstore in 1955 next door to the Brook Theater, now the location of The Brook restaurant at 34th Street and Peoria Avenue. He started writing book reviews for local newspapers in the 1930s, then began discussing books on local radio stations and even made public appearances to give speeches about books.By the early 1940s, Meyer had his own daily radio program, “The Values We Live By,” and was speaking to crowds twice a week at downtown Tulsa's popular Brown-Dunkin department store. His Sunday morning TV show, “The Lewis Meyer Bookshelf,” began airing on KOTV in 1953, and continued for 42 years.By visiting the Tulsa City-County Library website and the digital collection, you can hear the entire oral history project. The library has granted permission for us to share this Lewis Meyer interview conducted March 26, 1980, by Danna Sue Walker who was the People and Places columnist with Tulsa World. Listen to Lewis Meyer talk about early Tulsa radio, hypocrites, and alcoholism on the podcast and website of VoicesOfOklahoma.com.

What happens when people with chronic, unstable diabetes eat food grown in local, regenerative farms? Erin Martin talks to the Accidental Gods podcast about the dramatic and spectacular improvements in health her group FreshRxOK saw in Oklahoma when they instigated a 'Food as Medicine' programme, offering real food with good nutrient density to diabetic patients in some of the poorest communities.An Oklahoman on track to be a lawyer, Erin's first job in a retirement community inspired her to pursue a degree in gerontology instead. During her Masters program at USC, Erin ran a team of advocates serving over 700 low income older adults in the Southern California area. She was troubled by how little support people get as they age. So Erin founded Conscious Aging Solutions, a company dedicated to helping older adults navigate health and social systems so they can age successfully. As Erin's work focused on strategies for longevity, she found that food—access to quality food—had an enormous impact on our life spans.As her interest in food grew, she became certified in Regenerative Soil Advocacy. Erin moved back home to Tulsa during the pandemic to find that the supply chain disruptions had only intensified what was already a food system problem in the city. Lack of access to nutritious foods was contributing to poor health outcomes and high mortality rates for Tulsans, especially those with chronic conditions.In 2021, Erin co-founded a prescription produce program called FreshRx Oklahoma. The program's success has launched her onto the national stage. Now Erin champions food as medicine to promote the longevity of underserved communities, decrease food insecurity, support the environment, revitalize the agricultural economy, and decrease system-wide health care costs.Recorded on the day of the US Presidential Inauguration, we talk about the shift from a sickness service to a health service and how food can help us move towards a more regenerative system.  Most particularly, we talk about the truly spectacular health improvement indices in the diabetic patients who benefit from the FreshRxOK programme. Erin's website: https://www.erinwmartin.com/Erin on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@erinwmartinFreshrxOK https://www.freshrxok.org/FreshRxOK on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@freshrxok

Today, we're talking with Jay Johnson, Tulsa Housing Case Manager for Mental Health Association Oklahoma.  Jay's relation with us began a couple of years ago when he, himself, was living on the streets and battling addiction. He is a shining example of why Housing First is so important and effective.   Since his time as a participant, Jay has been steadily working his way up in the agency. Once he stabilized, he was hired as part-time on-call staff, and since been promoted twice and earned three different certifications through Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Use Services, which he puts to great use serving Tulsans in need.  It was a treat to have this conversation with Jay, as he shared his experience with homelessness, what guided him through recovery and the goals he's set for himself. His drive is strong and his positivity is contagious.  After this recording, Jay emailed a follow-up thought: He wants anyone who may be struggling right now to know that if they connect with us and utilizes the services offered at MHAOK, they will be supported as they work to achieve their goals. He signed off with “you can achieve as much as you believe!” If you ARE needing assistance or if you see someone who does, please reach out to us at 405.943.3700 or 918.585.1213, or you can contact us through our website at www.mhaok.org. 

Memphis vs. UTSA College Football Pick Prediction 11/2/2024 by Tony T. Memphis at UTSA 12PM ET—Memphis improved to 7-1 following their 33-28 home victory to Charlotte. The Tigers gained 303 yards with 113 rushing for 3.8 yards a carry. On defense they allowed 424 yards to the Tigers with 212 rushing for 4.4 yards a carry. Seth Henigan completed 20 of 32 for 212 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. UTSA drops to 3-5 after their 46-45 road defeat at Tulsan. The Roadrunners put up 546 yards with 103 rushing for 2.6 yards a carry. Defensively they allowed 433 yards to the Golden Hurricane with 370 passing on 44 attempts. Owen McCown hit 30 of 50 for 434 yards.

Today we are discussing The Hex House in Tulsa, OK. Travel to Tulsa for The Hex House, northeast Oklahoma's extreme haunted attraction. The Hex House is an intense, multi-element, walk-through haunted house attraction themed around a dark chapter in Tulsa's haunted past. The original Hex House was involved in a 1944 police investigation surrounding a small casket buried in the backyard of a Tulsa house and two young women who had been under hypnotic or occult control for seven years. The investigation was nicknamed the "Hex House" case since it had all the spooky elements of a Halloween story. The original Hex House become a favorite site for young Tulsans to visit on Halloween for years after the case was settled. Now, The Hex House is back, ready to bring your most terrifying fears to life this Halloween season. Do not come to The Hex House if you expect movie scenes or goofy props. Instead, The Hex House will submerge you and your friends into an altered reality that is much darker and less predictable than anything you've seen in the movies. Come to The Hex House and make your way through flickering hallways and eerie rooms that will transport you into an intense nightmare you won't soon forget. This haunted house is meant to entertain as well as to produce sheer terror in its victims. The Hex House is not meant for children age 12 or under. The Hex House features a second twisted tale for your Halloween enjoyment. If you survive The Hex House, take on Rise of the Living Dead, an extreme haunted attraction that presents a zombie nightmare. Gruesome, horrifying zombies are on the prowl, faster than ever. Experience twice the terror, twice the screams and twice the panic at this year's Hex House. Combo tickets will be available.  Visit Tulsa, Oklahoma's second-largest city, where Southern comfort and cosmopolitan style converge. A town enriched by its oil heritage, Tulsa boasts world-class cultural attractions, including the Philbrook Museum of Art and Gilcrease Museum. The city stands tall with its magnificent art deco treasures, Route 66 gems and the Cesar Pelli-designed BOK Center — a state-of-the-art venue for national concerts and sporting events. Tulsa's lively entertainment districts feature eateries, shopping and gaming, while the Tulsa music scene is the star of the state. Family fun also prevails in T-Town, home of the highly-rated Tulsa Zoo, while the city's Arkansas River trails and outdoor recreation areas offer outdoor respites from all the urban excitement. Tulsa offers a fabulous array of cultural amenities including the acclaimed Tulsa Ballet, Tulsa Opera, Tulsa Symphony Orchestra and other programs of the Tulsa Performing Arts Center. Theater-going opportunities abound around town, and the music scene pulses with sound from diverse genres, ranging from country and western to indie rock and punk. Be sure to catch a concert at the famous Cain's Ballroom or Tulsa Theater, too. A multitude of annual festivals and events like the Tulsa International Mayfest, Linde Oktoberfest Tulsa and ScotFest celebrate Tulsa's culture and heritage, adding to the long list of things to do in Tulsa. Discover unique facets of Tulsa's personality by visiting the many vibrant districts within the city. Anchored by the historic Blue Dome building, the Blue Dome Entertainment District is home to nightlife hot spots, hip restaurants and live entertainment. Visit the Brookside District for unique shopping experiences, upscale dining and plenty of nightlife options. The Tulsa Arts District features historic buildings that have been brought back to prominence via art galleries, theaters, restaurants, bars and dance clubs. For antique shopping, local and regional art galleries and more than 20 top local restaurants, visit the Cherry Street District in the northern midtown area of Tulsa. Also discussed The Savoy, Chickasha, Oral Roberts University, Rodney Carrington & Travelok. Special thanks to our sponsor JCM & Sons Subscribe to the Only in OK Show. #TravelOK #onlyinokshow #Oklahoma #podcast #traveloklahoma #historic #travel #tourism #truecrime #haunt #halloween #savoy #scary #spooky #chickasha #hexhouse #JCMandsons #Rodneycarrington #hauntworld

Paula Marshall, a third-generation Tulsan, has been the CEO of Bama Companies since 1990. Recognized for her community impact and philanthropic efforts, she has been inducted into both the Tulsa and Oklahoma Hall of Fame. In living out her mission, Paula has served, started, or partnered with numerous organizations and causes in and around Tulsa, including the Margaret Hudson Program, DVIS, Food On The Move, and Ronald McDonald House Charities. Her mission also extends around the world: Paula has helped build four schools in Ghana, educating over 1,000 children to set them up for a successful life. The schools range from elementary education to vocational training, teaching students a lifelong trade. Paula is now in the process of building her fifth, and largest, school in Ghana and has plans for many, many more! Patricia will discuss this philanthropic project with Paula Marshall and her US BAMA team Kim Owens, Senior Director of People Systems and Community Relations at The Bama Companies, Inc.and Jeff Woodward, chief of fundraising for the Ghana Schools. They will discuss the mission of the foundation how the schools have been funded, the procurement of the teachers for the schools, the education the students receive and the Paula Marshall Foundation's partnership with Bishop Odai his ministry, Maranatha Power Ministries.

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.

This episode of Grow With Us features Juddie Williams M.Ed. Juddie Williams is the Member Integration Manager for Tulsa Remote. On this episode, Evan and Juddie discuss Juddie's dedication to service organizations, how to engage in spaces of social impact thoughtfully and meaningfully, and her role in supporting new Tulsans seeking community. If you are interested in looking at our open career opportunities, don't forget to check out our career website: https://talent.intulsa.com/. Additionally, join our Talent Network for featured opportunities and tailored outreach from our Talent Partners at: https://careers.intulsa.com/signup.

The girls are back out at Osage Hills Retreat Center this week talking to several brilliant entrepreneur women who love crafting and sharing their ideas with other amazing entrepreneurs. They like to refer to this as speed dating! First up, their good friend from across the pond (and now a Tulsan), Dee Bushrod also known as Pixel Quilts on instagram, joins the girls and talk shop! You will LOVE listening to her story! Also joining the show, Erika Pinkley with Little Glass Quilts shares her story of building beautiful stained glass quilts. She is a quilter at heart so this is a natural craft for her! The third visitor is Janelle Peterson with WestWind Creative, who holds retreats for creative crafty folks! She loves to build community and bring women together to build authentic relationships. The girls had so much fun hearing her story! And finally, Krafts with Karla. You're going to love her story! She loves bringing community together with retreats for quilting and painting. But you'll never believe what she does full time. It is right up Leslie's alley! You'll love this speed dating round with these fascinating women. Enjoy!Follow Dee at @PixelQuilts on InstagramFollow Erica at @LittleGlassQuilts on InstagramFollow Janelle at @WestWind Creative on FacebookFollow Karla at @KraftsWithKarla on FacebookFollow Leslie on Instagram at @leslie_quilts and Rochelle at @doughnutwarrior

In this episode, Dennis is joined by Mike Neal - President and CEO of the Tulsa Regional Chamber. Mike presents a master class on how to build and lead a dynamic team of professionals and how to utilize strategic partnerships to build a world-class organization.  Mike Neal is in his 18th year as president and chief executive officer of the Tulsa Regional Chamber. In 2018, the Oklahoma Chamber of Commerce Executives (OCCE) inducted Mike into their Hall of Fame in recognition of his 30 years of service to the chamber industry. Tulsa People named Mike the 2011 Tulsan of the Year for his limitless energy, can-do optimism and tireless efforts toward making Tulsa a better place.  Mike is heavily involved with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. He serves on its Foundation Board of Directors, its Chamber of Commerce Committee of 100, and its Transportation Infrastructure & Logistics Committee. Mike is also the current chairman of their Accrediting Board of Directors. He also serves on the boards of the International Economic Development Council and the Southern Economic Development Council. Mike leads the Chamber's staff of more than 65 full-time professionals in the areas of economic development, regional tourism, government affairs and community development. The Chamber is a partner in prosperity to more than 2,200 member organizations across an 11-county region. MISSIONWe transform the Tulsa region by attracting and retaining employers, talent, and tourism for long-term prosperity. VISIONThe Tulsa region is a global destination for individual and community prosperity. WE ARE... Positive – We exhibit positivity toward our colleagues and a passionate devotion to our community. Innovative – We seek fresh ideas and solutions to lead our region forward. Inclusive – We embrace diversity and foster collaboration. Engaged – We are fully attentive and focused in service to one another, our members and our partners. Accountable – We maintain integrity, strive for excellence, and seek continuous improvement in our work and ourselves. Representing more than 2,150 member organizations and more than 178,000 workers, the Tulsa Regional Chamber is the primary driver of regional and individual prosperity in northeast Oklahoma. The Chamber develops and delivers a wide variety of programs and services designed to bolster and benefit Tulsa-area businesses of all shapes and sizes, from large corporations to small startups. For more than 115 years, the Chamber has served as an integral part of what makes the Tulsa region a great place to live, work and play. Our strategic initiatives include: Economic Development Collaborate with regional partners to position northeast Oklahoma for increased economic activity. Regional TourismLeverage the region's competitive identity to market Tulsa as a destination for tourism, sports, and culture. Government AffairsBuild coalitions to achieve pro-business public policy at the local, state and federal levels. Community DevelopmentCreate vibrant places that support and enrich quality of life and regional economic activity. Tulsa's Future is the Chamber's multi-county regional economic development partnership supported by public and private investors. Since 2005, Tulsa's Future has supported the creation of more than 80,000 jobs and more than $6 billion in capital investment.  

Tulsa civic leader and oilman Robert LaFortune was born at St. John Medical Center in Tulsa, January 24, 1927. In 1920, his father Joseph Aloysius LaFortune and his mother Gertrude Leona Tremel LaFortune, had moved to Tulsa from South Bend, Indiana. Joseph LaFortune worked for Warren Petroleum Company for approximately 30 years, retiring as executive vice president. Before and after retirement, he maintained a significant community presence and funded the development of LaFortune Park in Tulsa. Among his many gifts to the University of Notre Dame, he donated funds to renovate the Science Hall into the school's first student center.Robert (Bob) LaFortune served as Tulsa's commissioner of streets and public property (1964–70) and as mayor (1970–78). As commissioner, he participated in the development of the Port of Catoosa through purchasing land for the port and working with engineers on its design. As mayor, he played a significant role in developing Tulsa's freeway system and securing public-private funding for construction of the city's Performing Arts Center.Among his service to many executive boards, LaFortune has been a member of the National Executive Board of the Boy Scouts of America.  He was a 1982 recipient of the Silver Buffalo Award from the Boy Scouts of America.Robert LaFortune and his wife Jeanne Morse LaFortune, a native Tulsan, raised six children, Suzanne Bynum, Kathleen Phoenix, Annette Murray, Robert J. LaFortune, Jr., John M. LaFortune, and Phillip T. LaFortune.

Molly King, a lifelong Tulsan and a seasoned real estate agent. Dive into Molly's inspiring journey in the industry, starting from the ground floor of her parents' real estate business, where she worked weekends painting houses, staining fences, and mowing yards for their rental properties. Molly's expertise in residential, investment, and rental listings across Tulsa and its surrounding communities. Hear her tales of flipping distressed properties, including a remarkable success story of turning a $10,000 property into a valuable asset. The episode covers the challenges of property management and the growth of their company during the housing market crash. Personal stories of resilience, including Molly's father's health struggles and a reflection on Kobe Bryant's dedication, underscore the importance of perseverance in both real estate and life. Tune in for an episode that unfolds the layers of Molly King's real estate odyssey, from foundations to dreams.

Dr. Jaclyn Duvall is a native Tulsan who knew from an early age that she wanted to help people. Growing up with a mother suffering from Multiple Sclerosis fueled her passion for pursuing a career that could make lives better.  As you'll learn, she pursued medicine, even securing a fellowship to learn and train at the prestigious Mayo Clinic and even authored a book during that time (you'll learn from tips from her on how she organized her time to accomplish this). As a neurologist with a specialization in headaches, you'll learn the difference between a headache and a migraine, as well as advice for parents who may suffer from headaches. You also learn about her fairly new endeavor opening a medical office and how it's really a family affair – as she includes her husband and kids in the process of building her practice. To learn more about Dr. Duvall: hsoo.org And check out her book: The Basics of Migraine

Tulsa entrepreneur, Teresa Knox, wears many hats. Teresa shares how she started her career as a dental assistant, then went on to teach others, specifically women, about the career and started Community Care College. She explains how she grew the college, opened two more, and now owns some of the most iconic spots in Tulsa, like the Church Studio and Harwelden Mansion. Teresa has a passion for Tulsa and preserving its rich history. Hear Teresa talk about the risks she's taken in her many business endeavors and the advice she has for entrepreneurs.

You may think you know the story of the Tulsa race massacre. Maybe you've picked it up in pieces from HBO's Watchmen or Lovecraft Country. Maybe you saw the documentaries that dropped a couple of years ago to commemorate the 100th anniversary of that horrific moment in 1921 when white Tulsans killed hundreds of people and destroyed the neighborhood known as Black Wall Street.  But no one has ever documented the story in such vivid, heartbreaking detail as Victor Luckerson in his 2023 book “Built from the Fire.” Victor, a journalist whose work has appeared in the New Yorker, The Ringer, New York Times, Wired and New York Magazine, painstakingly details what – and who – was lost in the fire that day. He charts the migration of people like the Goodwin family from places like Mississippi and Alabama, heading north and west to Tulsa, searching for a better life. He writes about how Tulsa became a mecca for Black businesses and Black culture. And he captures, through deeply researched storytelling, how it was all destroyed. But, importantly, he also tells us about what was rebuilt.  And then he describes the second “slow burning” of Greenwood that was carried out through decades of government policies that hollowed out America's Black communities over the course of the 20th century. Buy the book here: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/625438/built-from-the-fire-by-victor-luckerson/ Subscribe to Victor's newsletter here: https://runitback.substack.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lawmakers issue a subpoena for State Superintendent Ryan Walters.New water meters are coming to Tulsans.Our StateImpact reporters talk about the past year and look ahead to 2024.You can find the KOSU Daily wherever you get your podcasts, you can also subscribe, rate us and leave a comment.You can keep up to date on all the latest news throughout the day at KOSU.org and make sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at KOSU Radio.This is The KOSU Daily, Oklahoma news, every weekday.

Mollie Blansett Williford is a native of Houston, Texas, where she attended Stephen F. Austin State College. Her marriage in 1957 to Galveston native Richard Williford, who was in the oil industry, meant the couple would move to various communities.When they moved to Tulsa, Mollie began volunteering. Her work at Key Elementary would be the beginning of a remarkable volunteer career dedicated to education and service to Tulsans.Richard's tragic death in 1996 created a leadership vacuum in the Tulsa community and Williford Energy. Mollie assumed leadership of the company while continuing her public service.Over the years, she made a significant imprint on the lives of Tulsans through her financial support and diverse board memberships, and now you can hear Mollie tell her story on the oral history website and podcast Voices of Oklahaoma.com.

This episode of Grow With Us features Brian Eckberg, member of the Tulsa Two Spirit Group. Brian and Evan chat about how Indigenous people seek community in an urban setting like Tulsa, and how the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center can play a significant role in community building through programming for LGBTQIA+ individuals. We also talk about the impact and aftermath of a fantastic opportunity to represent LGBTQIA+ Indigenous people and Tulsans. For more information about how to join Tulsa Two Spirit, please visit Tulsa Two Spirit on Facebook. If you are interested in looking at our open career opportunities, don't forget to check out our career website: https://talent.intulsa.com/ Additionally, join our Talent Network for featured opportunities and tailored outreach from our Talent Partners at: https://careers.intulsa.com/signup

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. StateImpact's Britny Cordera reports on how the community is coming together to regow the city's uban tree canopy.

A third-generation Tulsan, Paula Marshall has served as CEO of Tulsa-based international food manufacturer, Bama Companies, Inc. since 1990. Paula has served, started or partnered with numerous organizations and causes in the Tulsa area, including Tulsa Chamber of Commerce, Tulsa Area United Way, the Margaret Hudson Program, DVIS, Food On The Move and Ronald McDonald House Charities. Paula has also been recognized for several awards and recognitions, including being inducted into the Tulsa Hall of Fame, Advocate of the Year for DVIS, The Journal Record's Woman of The Year, and being named one of the 25 Tulsans Who Shaped Our City by Tulsa People Magazine in 2011, and most recently, becoming a 2021 inductee into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame. Listen to Paula explain how she deconstructed systems in place at Bama Companies and created a family environment to support her team members and partners.

THIS WEEK ON THE OKPOP RADIO HOUR: COMEDIAN DUKE DURANT! Duke Durant is a Tulsan, a teacher, a Navy veteran, and a father of five. He's also a hilarious comedian. Duke was kind enough to talk with us recently about his life and work, and no topic was off the table. In this intimate conversation, he tells us about his time in the service, what inspires his comedy, and how a coworker tricked him into getting into standup in the first place. Give us a listen, and be sure to check out Duke live at 8pm on December 22nd at the Tulsa Alumni Bar, 7204 E. Pine Street!

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.

One of the most common predictors of resisting mental health treatment is anosognosia, which is a lack of awareness of being mentally ill. Mike Brose is the former executive director of the Mental Health Association Oklahoma, adjunct university instructor and practicing licensed clinical social worker. He is a member of the Tulsa World Community Advisory Board. He speaks with Ginnie Graham about how Tulsa can help the homeless population, including those who who suffer from mental illness. Related Opinion column by Mike Brose: Doing the same thing over and again to reach Tulsa's most vulnerable homeless people a failing approach Opinion column by Mike Brose: Steps to making progress to end Tulsa homelessness Survey finds Tulsans open to other approaches to address homelessness, nonprofit says Ginnie Graham: Grand Mental Health entering Tulsa's mental health services landscape Opinion: Access to mental health services 24/7 key to having successful outcomes Lawmakers asked to reform Oklahoma's eviction process In 10 years serving Tulsa's homeless, City Lights finds 'everybody has something to give' City seeks operator for proposed homeless shelter, case management program Click here to submit a letter to the editor Contact us Editorial Editor Ginnie Graham: Email | Twitter | Follow her stories Subscribe to this podcast at: Apple | Google | SpotifySupport the show: https://tulsaworld.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode of Grow With Us features Marcela Swenson, the executive director of Tulsa Responds. Tulsa Responds is an amazing resource for Tulsans that provides hands-on assistance for Tulsa small businesses and nonprofits seeking COVID-10 relief funds, and additionally, they help people apply for programs like SNAP, Medicaid, and Internet Subsidy programs. Marcela came to Tulsa with one job that quickly evolved into a running a task force that later became Tulsa Responds, and in this episode, she highlights how this experience was possible through involved and supportive funders, a well-built team that leads with empathy, and the flexibility to pivot and excel as generalists. Through this mission, Tulsa Responds helps get federal money back into the hands of Tulsans and helps them through their current economic pressures, while implementing programs like Wayfindr to provide folks with the opportunity to actualize an uplifting career path. In this episode, Marcela and Evan discuss the origins of Tulsa Responds, how the organization has scaled and continued to serve Tulsans, and how the impact of this work can be seen in the community of Tulsa. If you are interested in looking at our open career opportunities, don't forget to check out our career website: https://careers.intulsa.com/landing-pageAdditionally, join our Talent Network for featured opportunities and tailored outreach from our Talent Partners at: https://intulsadev.com/signup

Our guest this week is the Emmy Award-winning journalist, author, historian, and native Tulsan, the great Carmen Fields. Carmen's new book, Going Back to T-Town, tells the story of her father Ernie Fields, a talented musician and businessman who navigated the hurdles of racial segregation during the Jim Crow era. It's an incredible story of success, disappointment and perseverance, and it's one not enough people have heard. We hope you enjoy our conversation with Carmen, and we hope you'll go see to your local bookstore to pick up a copy of her wonderful book.

This week's episode is sponsored by The Anne and Henry Zarrow Foundation, a philanthropic entity dedicated to lifting Tulsans out of poverty by supporting housing and shelter resources, social services and basic human needs, accessible healthcare, and programs that empower and inspire community members to improve their lives. Today, we have Mental Health Association Oklahoma's Chief Programs Officer, Mark Davis talking with Dr. Xavier Amador, Co-Founder and CEO of the Henry Amador Center on Anosognosia and Founder of the LEAP Institute.  Dr. Amador is an internationally renowned clinical psychologist and forensic expert, and he is the author of 9 books, including the best seller, “I AM NOT SICK, I Don't Need Help!” Additionally, he is a keynote speaker at the 2023 Zarrow Mental Health Symposium, themed New Horizons in Brain Science. We are grateful to have Dr. Amador on today, and we're excited to share this insightful and engaging conversation between him and our own Mark Davis.

The strongest leaders often come from humble beginnings, because these early hardships are instrumental in the development of grit. In this episode of Shift Out Loud, I talk to community leader Kian Kamas. As the Executive Director of PartnerTulsa, Kian is passionate about creating long-term, institutional change in how Tulsa pursues its economic and community development objectives, and is committed to building a sustainable, world-class operating model that builds strong and stable long-term revenues for this important work.Our discussion explores the many shifts that have led Kian to her current professional success, including her time at the University of Edinburgh, her shift into the world of politics, and her transformation from doer into strong leader. We also dive into her post-University struggles, the hardest job she's ever had, and how growing up on a farm helped to strengthen her incredible work ethic.Ready to play bigger? Listen now to discover: The biggest challenges Kian has faced while shifting from doer into leader — and how she works through themHow she navigates a self image of herself as an inexperienced “small-town girl”The exercises she uses to help her team find joy and potential in what they do  Guest bio: Kian Kamas serves as the Executive Director of PartnerTulsa, leading Tulsa's comprehensive community and economic development strategy and a team of talented professionals dedicated to increasing economic opportunity for Tulsa residents. Prior to this role, Kian served as Mayor G.T. Bynum's Chief of Economic Development. She and her husband Lathen have lived in Tulsa, Oklahoma since 2009, and are raising their son Leith as a proud Tulsan.Timestamps:01:45  Intro03:22  Meet Kian Kamas05:54  Early work experience08:24  “All hands on deck” 10:52  Grit13:10  Building a strong team16:27  Hardest job & University of Oklahoma19:10  University of Edinburgh21:45  Return to the US & finding her place26:09  Self-perception28:44  Biggest challenges34:22  Team-building tips40:00  Team retreat45:40  What's next?Links:Kian Kamashttps://www.linkedin.com/in/kiankamas Discover your tactical leadership toolkit: https://www.exceptionalleaderslab.com Interested in working with me or having me speak at your event? Find more information at https://tracyspears.com Want tools and insights that will help you play bigger in your life, at work, and in your community? Visit my resource library: https://tracyspears.com/blog —Connect with me:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracylspears Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TracySpearsSpeaker Twitter: @tracylspears Instagram: @tracylspears

This episode of Grow With Us features Trey Thaxton, the Chief Executive Officer and Creative Director of Goldmill Co. Trey is a long-time Tulsan with a passion for uplifting and highlighting the legacy of Black Wall Street. Trey launched Goldmill Co. a multi-disciplined creative consultancy based in Tulsa, OK. We work in tandem with our clients to realize and deliver high quality production on identity, film, and visual communication projects. In this episode, Trey and Evan discuss the origins of brands like Fire in Little Africa and Silhouette Sneakers & Art, storytelling in brand marketing, and how the legacy of Black Wall Street continues to permeate through entrepreneurship and community. If you are interested in looking at our open career opportunities, don't forget to check out our career website: https://careers.intulsa.com/landing-pageAdditionally, join our Talent Network for featured opportunities and tailored outreach from our Talent Partners at: https://intulsadev.com/signup

They just don't make ‘em like Annie Ellicott anymore. This talented Tulsan is an all around ENTERTAINER who's made a name for herself as a jazz singer, songwriter, performer and voice actor. In this week's episode of the OKPOP Radio Hour, Annie gives us a preview of her upcoming album "Happy Talk", and tells us how she went from playing Tulsa clubs with her dad to sharing the stage at Glastonbury with Jeff Goldblum! Give us a listen, and don't miss Annie Ellicott & The Lucky 7 live at Summer's Fifth Night - July 13th at Utica Square!

Welcome to Tulsa Talks presented by Tulsa Regional Chamber. I'm your host Tim Landes.Business is getting back to normal around Tulsa after the devastating effects of the June 17 storm that left me, some coworkers and thousands of other Tulsans without power for nearly a week. It was hot, but we made it… unlike way too many trees. So this episode is dropping a week late and it's a different format than usual.I've been doing a lot of online content this year. Lots of concert photo galleries and some reviews, plus Q&A and photo galleries with local creatives. Plus our team publishes updated music listings, a weekly rundown of things to do, a beer of the week and more. We're staying busy.We have so many talented artists in this town, and I want to spend time with as many of them as possible. I love learning their stories and having the opportunity to share a part of it with our readers. Plus often there are lessons we can learn and use in our own endeavors.As I continue to evolve in my work, I've been spending a lot more time working on my photography. It's been a lifelong hobby, and a part of my jobs for over a decade. Most of it is photojournalism, which means capturing moments. I've been pushing myself to do more portraits, which pushes me out of my comfort zone. I'm getting better at it, and excited to keep chasing it as I move toward video, finally.The film industry is exploding in Tulsa, and it's inspiring to see so many creatives growing their styles here in Tulsa. Many are homegrown, but some are coming here to learn and make movies.I recently went for a walk and talk with filmmaker Brea Mullen, a Tulsa transplant who didn't go to film school and is grinding it out and learning as she goes and loving every second of it.Her documentary Oklahoma Underground will premiere locally as part of the upcoming Circle Cinema Film Festival. Read the Q&A with Brea.Back in late May, I went for a Turkey Mountain hike with Branjae.We covered a whole lot in this Q&AShe discussed how she took a break from music to take care of her mental health, and now she's back and ready to roll out new music and more.What didn't make the cut in print is her thoughts on the local music and creative scene in 2023.While she did take a break from most her musical duties, she did perform at the legendary Apollo Theater in NYC. I had to ask her about that experience.And now since things got twisted, turned and thrown across Tulsa, I'm going to leave you with Connie Cronley reading her June column. This would normally appear on our About Town episodes, but even our podcast schedule felt the effects of the derecho. Also congrats to Connie for her recent awards from the Great Plains Journalism Awards as well as the Oklahoma Press Association. She's one of the best writers in the state and more than worthy of these awards.Take us on your road trip, Connie. 

A group in Tulsa, Oklahoma, will pay remote workers $10,000 to move there. Vox's Rani Molla explains why the city is banking on a digital workforce — and whether the program leaves longtime Tulsans behind. This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Matt Collette, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Patrick Boyd and Michael Raphael, and hosted by Noel King. Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained Support Today, Explained by making a financial contribution to Vox! bit.ly/givepodcasts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

⚡️BIG SHOW ALERT⚡️ This week's OKPOP radio features a remarkable Tulsan, Mr. Neil Wade, who's an animator and executive at Nickelodeon Animation and is responsible for some of the world's most beloved ‘toons. Neil gave incredible insight into what he does behind the scenes as the “content czar” managing series for Nickelodeon, but importantly he talks about how he got there. From Booker T., to architecture, to dropping it all and moving to Japan, he gives incredible insight for those who want a career in the arts. We had a great time and know you're gonna love it, so “toon” in and subscribe today!

An individual who's enriched and enlightened the lives of countless Tulsans, Rabbi Fitzerman came to Congregation B'nai Emunah back in the Eighties; he'll soon retire from his leadership at the Synagogue.

This episode of Grow With Us features Matt Carney, the Executive Director of Root. Matt started his career in journalism and returned to Tulsa to build Root, an event discovery program that helps Tulsans promote and uncover different events and gatherings around the city. Root features events, daily deals at local restaurants, tours and guides around town, and a blog that highlights cool, unique experiences. If you are interested in looking at our open career opportunities, don't forget to check out our career website: https://talent.intulsa.com/Additionally, join our Talent Network for featured opportunities and tailored outreach from our Talent Partners at: https://jobs.intulsa.com/talent-network

This episode of Grow With Us features Aaron Whigham, Program Manager of NewU. The NewU program is a personal development program designed to help unlock human potential within ourselves. Aaron has helped countless Tulsans learn how to explore new business ventures, discover alternative career paths, and build new senses of purpose in their lives. On this episode, Aaron and Evan discuss the power of perspective, how intentionality can drive innovation in your life, and connecting diverse talent with opportunities they may have never seen themselves in.If you are interested in looking at our open career opportunities, don't forget to check out our career website: https://talent.intulsa.com/Additionally, join our Talent Network for featured opportunities and tailored outreach from our Talent Partners at: https://jobs.intulsa.com/talent-network

Life-long Tulsan, Dana Schuler Drummond, has a heart for helping non-profit organizations. As the founder of Sharpshooter Communications, she assists non-profits seek, secure, and manage grants. She knows the impact grants give to philanthropic organizations and as a result, those organizations can create change and positively impact so many. Throughout her career, Dana has helped nonprofits secure over $50 million in funding. She recently received the Outstanding Professional Fundraiser Award from the Northeast Oklahoma Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. This interview will share more about Dana's background, including some surprising side-hustles that include hosting a semi-weekly podcast and singing in a local rock band. It will also share her family ties to a well-known gangster and why she is thankful for the philanthropy that her family received several generations ago.

In 2013, Tulsans accounted for only about 13 percent of the state's methamphetamine treatment admissions. In 2020, that figure climbed to one-third of the state's admissions. That year, local nonprofits, treatment centers, law enforcement and government officials announced a collaborative, community-based initiative to help Tulsans find access to recovery services.

In 1921, white citizens of Tulsa burned down the Black neighborhood of Greenwood, killing hundreds of residents, ruining dozens of businesses, and destroying a community of 10,000. For generations, the history was buried, surfacing only through the determined research of a professor here or a novelist there; it wasn't until 2001 that the state of Oklahoma commissioned a report revealing the extent of the damage. One hundred years on, the Tulsa massacre is the most infamous of a number of 20th-century efforts by white mobs to destroy Black communities. RJ Young, author of the memoir Let It Bang and a Fox Sports analyst, offers his perspective in Requiem for the Massacre, both as a native Tulsan deeply embedded in its present and as a Black writer conflicted by the tone of the centennial events a year ago.Go beyond the episode:RJ Young's Requiem for the Massacre: A Black History on the Conflict, Hope, and Fallout of the 1921 Tulsa Race MassacreFor more history on the violence in Tulsa, read Scott Ellsworth's The Ground Breaking; Cameron McWhirter's Red Summer details the unprecedented anti-Black riots and lynchings of 1919“How HBO's ‘Watchmen' Brought the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre to Life;” a descendent of the massacre reflects on watching the show Just this week, even more unmarked graves were discovered in Tulsa's Greenwood CemeteryTune in every week to catch interviews with the liveliest voices from literature, the arts, sciences, history, and public affairs; reports on cutting-edge works in progress; long-form narratives; and compelling excerpts from new books. Hosted by Stephanie Bastek.Subscribe: iTunes • Feedburner • Stitcher • Google Play • AcastHave suggestions for projects you'd like us to catch up on, or writers you want to hear from? Send us a note: podcast [at] theamericanscholar [dot] org. And rate us on iTunes! Our theme music was composed by Nathan Prillaman. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we hear about the confession, the arrest, the SANE exam, and the year April spent in jail in pre-trial detention. Even though she was presumed innocent, she was required to stay in jail on no bond due to the seriousness of her charge.  We also hear about the politics playing out at the Tulsa County District Attorney's Office in the years leading up to the shooting, and what might've made DA Tim Harris hungry for a conviction in his first big murder case as DA. ___________________ Resources: For crime scene photos entered at trial, supplemental info, and to see Lynda Driskell's letter to the parole board, visit okappleseed.org/episode-4-show-notes  To learn more about voir dire, jury selection, & potential policy solutions, check out this article: https://www.ncsc-jurystudies.org/__data/assets/pdf_file/0026/6839/buildgbettervoirdire_000.pdf Detailed Timeline of Events in April's Case compiled by April herself with help from her niece, Amanda: https://aprilwilkensblog.wordpress.com/2022/02/12/timeline-of-events/ Sign the Change.org petition to support April's release: https://www.change.org/p/oklahoma-pardon-parole-board-commute-the-life-sentence-of-abuse-survivor-april-wilkens?signed=true Donate to keep our work going!: neappleseed.org/okappleseed Learn more about Oklahoma Appleseed: okappleseed.org If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse, use a safe computer and contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at www.thehotline.org or call 1-800-799-7233. You can also search for a local domestic violence shelter at www.domesticshelters.org/. If you have experienced sexual assault and need support, visit the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) at www.rainn.org or call 1-800-656-HOPE. Have questions about consent? Take a look at this guide from RAINN at www.rainn.org/articles/what-is-consent. Learn more about criminalized survival at www.survivedandpunishedny.org/. Learn more about the Domestic Violence Survivors Justice Act at www.nysda.org/page/DVSJA. Follow the #freeaprilwilkens campaign on Instagram at @freeaprilwilkens, on Twitter and on their webpage at https://aprilwilkensblog.wordpress.com/. Colleen McCarty is one of the hosts, executive director of Oklahoma Appleseed, and producer.  Leslie Briggs is the other host who is a civil rights and immigration attorney, and producer. Rusty Rowe provides additional production support. We're recorded at Bison and Bean Studios in Tulsa. Additional support from Amanda Ross and Ashlyn Faulkner. Our theme music is Velvet Rope by Gyom.  Panic Button is created in partnership with Oklahoma Appleseed Center for Law and Justice and Leslie Briggs. Follow OK Appleseed on Twitter and Instagram at @ok_appleseed. If you want to continue the conversation with other listeners, please join our Panic Button podcast community on Bookclubz at bit.ly/3NRHO8C.   TRANSCRIPT:   Leslie Briggs 00:00 If you're just tuning in, I suggest you go back and start listening from chapter one. Before we start a content warning: this episode contains accounts of domestic and sexual violence. This episode is going to be a little different than our previous three. This episode is being released in two parts. In part one of this episode, we'll detail April's arrest and her time spent in County lockup, and preview what the jury selection process is like, some global issues we see with the process, and summarize some of the more poignant and glaring juror stories that illuminate those global issues. In the second part, we take a break from the rigorous storytelling to offer our insights, analysis and commentary into the jury selection process. We hope to show you two things with this two part episode: one, how lawyers for both sides in this case attempt to use the jury selection to begin to manipulate the jurors and two, how prevalent domestic violence was in Tulsa in 1999... This is Panic Button: chapter four, Setting the Tone. I'm Leslie Briggs.   Colleen McCarty 01:52 And I'm Colleen McCarty.   Leslie Briggs 01:54 We need to get into everything that happened from the arrest to the trial. But if you've ever spent time in a jail or a prison, you'll know not much happens in there. April spent a year in pretrial detention after the shooting and before the trial. She was presumed innocent, but most murder defendants are held on no bond, meaning they would not have the chance to be out in the community before the trial. We told you in episode one that four officers responded to the shooting call at 38th and Lewis and Tulsa on the morning of April 28, 1998. Those four officers were Laura Fadem, H. G. Lawson, Officer Forester, and Officer Gann. April told them immediately what had happened. Officer Lawson testifies the April looked quote, "Like she had been up all night, just kind of bedraggled looking." Officer Lawson went to the basement to check on the victim of the shooting and to make sure there was no one else in the house who could be armed. Officer Gann went with him. They see a blue Navajo-style blanket covering a body with blood coming out from where the head would be. And the blood pools all the way to the baseboards of the wall. On a cluttered table near the door, there's a gun, a walkie talkie and lots of drug paraphernalia. And there are handcuffs covered and a dried white liquid. Officer Lawson checks the body for a pulse. He states it's ice cold to the touch and that there are no signs of life. He notices the body is riddled with holes. There are shell casings all around him. The police department calls in their homicide detectives to process the scene and they send April back to the station with Officer Fadem. April had been telling officer Faden the whole story, both before and after being read her Miranda rights. When they got in the car, this is what officer Fadem says happened. Quote, "Yes. When we got in the patrol car, we started towards the Detective Division. I remember she asked me if I would turn on a certain radio channel on the radio. And I said sure, you know, she - it was - it was rock and roll channel. None of the buttons on my radio were rock n roll. So I had to tune it in. I remember it was like 10 Maybe 104. Something like that. So I tuned the Rock n Roll channel for her. And she wanted it turned up a little louder. So I turned it up a little louder. And that seemed to kind of - she enjoyed that. I guess it kind of relaxed her a little bit." When they arrived at the station. April goes with Officer Fadem into an interview room. She told the officer at the house that she had been raped and that Terry had beaten her and tried to break her neck. Even still, Officer Fadem won't say on the stand that April had been raped or injured. Officer Fadem does say there's a red mark developing on April's face as the day goes on. On cross examination, officer Fadem continues to say that April was quote excitable. Like she had something to tell everyone and she just couldn't hold it in. Officer Fadem tells April's attorney that she finds us excitable demeanor to be inappropriate to the situation. I just want to interject also here that Officer Fadem's testimony is almost comical in the fact that she uses the word "consent" wherever possible and avoids the word "rape" wherever possible. She'll say things in her testimony like "she consented to going upstairs," implying to the jury, I think, that April was consenting to some of the things that happened to her that night. I think it's just a curious way that she chose to testify. Once they get back to the station, in the interview room, the officers set up audio and video recording equipment. We hope to be able to have some of these pieces of evidence for you but as of yet we still don't have access to it. Detective Makinson who is at Terry's house processing the scene leaves and heads towards the station once he learns that Officer Fadem is interviewing a murder suspect, potentially on her own. Even though April has told all the officers at this point that Terry had forcible sex with her and tried to break her neck before the shooting, they're insisting that she go to the station and make a statement before she can be treated for her injuries or be given a SANE exam. You'll remember saying as the Sexual Assault Nurse exam. Detective Makinson takes a taped statement with April. April again tells the story as it happened. She never wavers. Finally, after concluding this interview, April is allowed to go to Hillcrest and receive a SANE exam for her internal and her external injuries. They collect her clothes, hair samples, scrape underneath her nails and gather potential DNA. Sidenote, that at trial when Assistant District Attorney Rebecca Knight and Gail asks, Detective Makinson, if he tested the rape kit, he responds, "In fact, I thought that Kathy Bell, the SANE nurse was going to do that. And you pointed out to me that it needed to be done. And I think you did it. So I didn't do that, no." Yes, that is the ADA asking the homicide detective at trial if you tested the defendant's rape kit, and the homicide detective is responding in front of the jury that no, he didn't test it because he thought she had done it. The question of who tests the rape kit is never answered. That evening after the SANE exam April goes to the station and gets booked into the jail. By this time it's 10pm. The shooting happened around 8am. April's case begins to wind its way through the analysis of our justice system. She is appointed a public defender a young lawyer named Daman Cantrell. Mr. Cantrell worked for the Tulsa County Public Defender's office at the time, but, now, he as well as Assistant District Attorney Rebecca Nightengale serves on the bench as a Tulsa County District Judge. He works on civil cases now and still remembers this case as one he, quote, "really would have liked to try himself." I am sure April and everyone who knows her wishes that too. When Mr. Cantrell was her attorney, he worked hard to make sure that April got the mental health treatment she needed in the jail. He gets another, female attorney, Lynn Worley involved in the case, she is able to gain admittance to visit April and she is able to bring Licensed Professional Counselor Lynda Driskell in with her. The two of them visited April for a total of 40 hours of therapy during the year she served in the county jail. Here's an excerpt of a letter from Lynda to the parole board in 2009: "I met April in July of 1998, when I became involved in her case as an advocate and counselor with domestic violence intervention services in Tulsa, Oklahoma. At the request of the national clearinghouse for the defense of battered women, April's case was referred to DVIS so that she would have access to counseling during her trial. April was initially held in the Tulsa County Adult Detention Center in Tulsa while she awaited trial. I met with her there for approximately 40 hours of face-to-face counseling sessions and wrote a pre-sentence investigative assessment report on her behalf. Since she has been incarcerated at Mabel Bassett Correctional Facility, I have maintained contact with April for the past 11 years. Her parents, Rex and Louise Fitchue, have also kept me apprised of the outcome of April's appeals. My first impression of April as a sensitive, compassionate young woman has not changed since I met her all those years ago. At that time, her story of domestic violence paralleled the hundreds of stories I had heard from other women who were battered. However, the outcome of her circumstances was the most tragic of any case in which I have been involved. The photographs and forensic documentation of the brutal injuries April sustained from Terry's acts of physical and sexual violence, strengthened my belief that she acted in self-defense. I sincerely believed then, as I do now, that April did what she had to do to survive. April acknowledges that Terry Carlton's death was a horrible loss for his family. And, at the same time, April has always maintained that she would have died if she had not defended herself against Terry's brutal assaults and threats to kill her. April also acknowledges the pain that Terry's family has endured. And I believe for that she is truly remorseful." Lynda was actually an expert on battered woman syndrome. And she's who April's defense attorney should have called it trial, but didn't. We'll talk about that more in a few episodes. A few months before trial, April's parents began to grow uneasy at the thought of leaving their daughter's fate to a public defender. An insider tip: if you're ever entitled to a public defender, you should take it because a, they absolutely know what they are doing. And b, oftentimes have better relationships with judges and prosecutors because they're around them so much. So her parents get the money together to hire a private attorney, and they choose a man named Chris Lyons. You're going to hear a lot about Chris Lyons on this podcast. I think it's worth saying here that hindsight is 2020. And there are always things that you wish you would have done differently, especially in a murder trial. And also a lot has changed in the last 20 years around how we talk about domestic violence, how we think about drug addiction, and how we go about defending a murder case like this, as well as how April would have been seen by her peers. Nonetheless, it's unavoidable. We will be talking about Mr. Lyons and some of the choices he did and didn't make in defense of his client. And as of the time of this recording, we have reached out to Chris Lyons office trying to start a dialogue with him about this case, but we have not yet heard back. If that changes, we'll be sure to update you. A year goes by mostly without incident as April languishes in the county jail. Outside the jail, there's some big drama going on in the Tulsa County District Attorney's office. Longtime top Tulsa cop and elected District Attorney David L. Moss died of a heart attack in 1995, just one year after being elected to his final term. His first assistant, Tim Harris was appointed interim District Attorney until then-Governor Keating appointed former mayor Bill LaFortune to the role. In May 1998, a month after April shot Terry in self-defense, LaFortune announced that he was resigning and Governor Keating was faced with another tough appointment. Just six months before the next DA election. Keating chose Chuck Richardson, who Keating describes to the Tulsa World at the time as a nail-chewing, anti-crook aggressive prosecutor. Governor Keating stated that that was the kind of prosecutor Tulsans wanted. He chose Richardson even though public records showed that Richardson's father, Gary, had donated 1000s to Keating's campaign. In addition, Richardson did not have the support of the Tulsa police department. Years prior, Richardson had defended a murder case, quote "a little too zealously," according to police, who said that he browbeat them on the stand. You can imagine, once TPD realized that Richardson was going to mount a full-on campaign for DA that fall of 1998, they needed to come up with a challenger who they could fully support. Former first assistant district attorney Tim Harris filed in the race to run against Richardson. Even though Harris only raised $30,000 compared to Richardson's $117,000 (and those are 1998 dollars), he won the seat in November '98 to take office in January 1999, just four months before April's trial. It's worth noting that the Tulsa World actually calls out Harris's two largest donations that are in the $2,000 range, and one of them is from his mother. The 1998 race was the first one in a long time to break campaign donation records. Harris would go on to collect thousands in donations over the years, and he would be reelected three more times until he chose not to run again in 2013. We're obviously going to talk a lot more about Mr. Harris as we go on. But for now, let's look at the landscape right before trial. Tim was a big underdog to a very moneyed candidate who had the backing of Oklahoma's tough-on-crime governor. And yet, Tim won. And now he has to prove himself. He has to show the people of Tulsa County that he can deliver. April's case is one of the biggest cases to go at that time. And it's one of the first big murder cases Tim Harris will try as elected prosecutor. It's also one of the first cases to officially use battered women's syndrome as a defense after it was certified as admissible by the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals in a 1995 case called Bechtel v. State. On April 5, 1999, April's murder trial officially began. Chris Lyons and his legal assistant Ed Clark, who had just graduated with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Paralegal Studies the year before, were sitting at the Feds table with April. At the prosecutors tablem were newly-seated district attorney Tim Harris and his first chair, Rebecca Brett-Nightengale. Ms. Brett-Nightengale also goes on to run for district judge and wins the seat in 2003. She still sits on the bench today, and is one of the longest standing judges in the district. April's father came to every day of the trial and her sister, Mary, took detailed notes each day to report back to their mother. In Tulsa, Jurors are pulled from a cross section of the population that have driver's licenses. Everyone who gets assigned to jury duty that week shows up Monday morning and they sit in the basement of the courthouse until their name is called. And they're sent to a courtroom where a jury trial is about to happen. Then the lawyers commence a process called voir dire. Voir Dire is French for "to speak the truth." This is the process of making sure your jury panel is truly impartial to both sides, and that each juror understands a few critical things. One, the defendant is presumed innocent of the charges presented and, two, the state has the burden of proving every element of the crime charged. The defense does not have to prove anything. Voir dire, or voe dy-er if you're an Oklahoma State Court attorney, is the literal most boring part of a criminal trial. However, it's also one of the most important things and you can win or lose cases on voir dire. The goal is to choose 12 impartial jurors and one alternate in case someone gets sick or cannot make it back to the court for some excusable reason. Each attorney's side gets nine peremptory strikes. A peremptory strike, just as a side note, for the non-attorneys listening is an opportunity to strike a juror to get rid of them with - without reason. You don't have to have cause. But, and this is important, if an attorney can get someone to say that they cannot be fair or if the court gets them to say it, then they must be struck for cause. So that's the difference peremptory you strike them. You don't have to have a reason. Except you can't be discriminatory based on race. If you testify during voir dire as a juror, that you can't be fair, impartial, you'll be stricken for cause. And this makes sense if you think about it, because it's in the interest of both sides that anyone be removed, who says they cannot be fair, if an attorney believes someone might be able to be fair, but they just don't like the perspective that person brings to the trial, then they can use one of their peremptory strikes, it ends up being a big strategy piece - how you use your strikes on who how to see what the other side is striking. So naturally, if you can get one of the jurors you don't like stricken for cause, that it's more peremptory strikes for you to exercise on people who clearly favor one side or the other. But they won't come out and say, "Look, I can't be impartial." So yeah, it starts getting heady really quick. But another way attorneys use voir dire is to begin to create a narrative and set the tone for their case. And a really masterful attorney can pique the curiosity of jurors with the types of questions that they ask. And if they traverse the landscape carefully enough, they can begin to prejudice jurors against the defendant or against the state subliminally. We see this happen in April's case almost immediately. First, it's a huge advantage, but the state gets to go first and talk to potential jurors. So Tim Harris, the one we just talked about a little bit ago who just got elected, he gets to go up in front of the potential jury pool. There are 12 jurors in the box and probably 20 people sitting out in the gallery of the courtroom. But the people sitting out in the gallery have to pay just as close attention to the questions as everyone in the box because when someone gets stricken from the box, they randomly call someone out of the gallery to come and fill that spot. So, the process takes a long time. In April's case it took five whole days to pick the jury. Tim Harris talks to the folks in the box for a long time and his primary focus being the fact that they were going to hear things about intravenous drug use and quote, "violent relationships that would be completely foreign to them and foreign to their ways of life." What this does is immediately begins to other April as someone foreign to the jury, she is someone that they can never understand or get behind. She's dirty, she uses drugs and she fights. She's one of those women who can really antagonize you if you know what I mean. He asked the jurors if they have ever experienced abuse, if they know any police officers if they would be biased against April or for April because she is moderately - yes, he said moderately - attractive. The questions go on for what seem like ages. By the time Chris Lyons the defense attorney is able to get up and speak to jurors, they are completely worn down and intellectually exhausted. And they view Tim Harris as their faithful guide through this extremely confusing and exasperating legal process.   So as you can see, this trial gets complicated fast. Once the jury is chosen, things really get up and running, and we can see two sides emerging. One is clearly gaining more traction in the room, and the two sides are, one: April was a poor, dirty drug addict who needed to get her fix. She was a gold digger. She used Terry for money, and vacations and ultimately went to his house that night to kill him and rob him. Two, the other side: April was a battered woman who had tried to call the police and file protective orders but to no avail. And because the system abandoned her, she had to take matters into her own hands to protect yourself.   Voir dire is a necessary and important part of the entire trial process. In theory, it keeps us from devolving into blood feuds when a conflict arises amongst members of our society, calling 12 people from the community at large to decide what is fair and just is a poetic way to keep the peace. Jurors are some of the most powerful people in our society. They decide the norms we must abide by within the bounds of the law. So who makes it onto a jury is important for how our communities dole out justice... In part two of this week's episode, Colleen and I will be exchanging stories to highlight just some of the curious, upsetting and strange ways both the State and Defense go about selecting the jury. This jury pool has a very high number of potential jurors who have experienced domestic violence or mental health issues. There are stories that illuminate the problems of disproportionate dismissals of black and brown jurors, female jurors, jurors who have documented mental health diagnoses that are completely managed, among others. We hope you'll find our analysis of the jury selection process insightful before we return to storytelling next week. So check out part two of this week's episode to hear jury selection analysis in detail. In next week's episode, we'll be taking a deep dive look at one of the state's witnesses who offers particularly damaging testimony against April. Panic Button is a co-production of Oklahoma Appleseed Center for Law and Justice and Leslie Briggs.   We're your hosts Colleen McCarty and Leslie Briggs. Our theme music is Velvet Rope by GYOM. The production team is Leslie Briggs and Rusty Rowe. We're recorded at Bison and Bean studio in Tulsa. Special thanks to Lynn Worley, Amanda Ross, and Ashlyn Faulkner for their work on this case. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse, use a safe computer and contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at thehotline.org or call 1-800-799-7233. Help others find our show by leaving us a rating and writing a review. Follow us at OK_Appleseed across all social platforms. You can subscribe right now and the apple podcast app by clicking on our podcast logo and clicking the subscribe button. If you want to continue the conversation with other listeners, please join our Panic Button podcast community on Book Clubs. Join for free at Bit.ly/3NRHO8C. Thanks so much for listening.

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