Black History Month
During the month of February, we celebrate Black History Month. Black History Month can be celebrated by attending a local event, eating at a local Black-owned restaurant, or shopping at a black-owned business. There are also many prominent Black Oklahomans who helped shape the history of this state. Below are some of the most well-known Black Oklahomans and a list of local events in February.
Clara Luper is one of the most well-known individuals, as she was a leader in the Oklahoma City civil rights movement. Luper was an advisor for the Oklahoma City NAACP Youth Council and was a part of a sit-in at the downtown restaurant, Katz Drugstore, to protest the segregated restaurants.
Amos Hall was a civil rights lawyer who represented Ada Fisher in her case against the University of Oklahoma Board of Regents. He fought for equal salaries for teachers as being the attorney for the Oklahoma Association of Negro Teachers. Hall was elected special judge and district judge in Tulsa County. Hall was the first Black person to have been elected a judge in the state of Oklahoma and into a countywide office.
Hannah Atkins played a key role as she worked for both the Oklahoma City and Oklahoma state libraries. Atkins was also a professor of law and library science courses at OU. She ran for political officer after the death of Martin Luther King Jr. and eventually was elected to the Oklahoma House of Representatives in 1968. She became the first Black woman to be elected to the state Legislature. Serving until 1980, she fought for various issues such as mental health reform, healthcare and civil rights.
There are several events happening in the metro to celebrate Black History Month, and below are just a few.
From now until April 1, visit the Oklahoma City Contemporary Arts Center to see the Descendants of the Black 1000 Exhibit. Located in the Mary LeFlore Clements Oklahoma Gallery, the exhibit is made up of photographs, interviews and archived materials to display how Black history in Oklahoma expanded across the country. The exhibit is open daily, and it is free to visit.
The Oklahoma City Thunder are celebrating in a creative way by hosting an artwork competition for ninth through 12th grade students. The competition allows the students to create artwork that depicts a part of Black History Month that inspires them. There will be four selected winners, each who will be recognized during a game against Houston on Feb. 27.
Take a trip to the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum to visit the Bill Picket Heritage Table. While in the museum, learn about the African American Cowboy in the American Rodeo Gallery.
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