Newcomer/Visitor Guide to Oklahoma City: A Black Perspective

INTRODUCTION

This booklet was produced in response to a need expressed by visitors and newcomers to Oklahoma City. They have requested information on the Black community - both historical and current. They ask questions concerning the status of Blacks in Oklahoma City- economic and social. They ask about Black centers of activity - cultural, business, and educational. They ask about overall progress by Blacks in the Oklahoma City community.

The Newcomer/Visitor Guide is seen as an answer to many of those questions and as a useful tool for major employers in their minority recruitment programs . It may also be viewed as a vehicle for promoting Oklahoma City as a convention site for major black organizations . This guide is intended to complement other promotional materials on Oklahoma City and offer additional information from a Black perspective.

Leonard D. Benton President Urban League of Greater Oklahoma City, Inc .

"NEWCOMER/VISITOR GUIDE TO OKLAHOMA cnv·

-A BLACK PERSPECTIVE -

Table of Contents

• Oklahoma City: A Black Historical Perspective

• Political/Civil Rights

• Education

• Culture

• Religion

• Entertainment

• Business

• Health/Social Welfare

• Housing

OKLAHOMA CITY: A BLACK PERSPECTIVE

The traditional story of how Oklahoma began relates the 1889 Oklahoma Land Run . Long before the run, however, red people AND black people inhabited the Indian and Oklahoma Territories . In many cases, blacks were the slaves of Indians and blacks were alongside Indians throughout the terrible ordeal known as the "Trail of Tears"

Oklahoma 's name is derived from two Choctaw words, "Okla " meaning people and "homo" meaning red , literally mean ing red people . Oklahoma was once actually considered for a totally black state . In 1890, Edwin P McCabe, a black, headed a movement to bring blacks from surrounding states into Oklahoma in an effort to make the population overwhelmingly black . There was an influx of blacks into the state and numerous black towns sprung up across Oklahoma . At least 28 all black towns were established and many of them are still in existence .

"Buffalo Soldiers," as black men in the military were known , made their impact on Oklahoma, having built the original Fort Sill in Lawton, Oklahoma. The soldiers also enforced laws or Presidential proclamations, built roads and built and remodeled several other forts .

There were black cowboys in the Oklahoma old west driving cattle alongside whites. There were black lawmen and black outlaws that gave the history of the old west addit iona l 'color.'

The history of Blacks in Oklahoma is much the same as that of any major city in the nation . There was segregation , discrimination and the "Tragedy of ' 21 " - the 1921 race riot in north Tulsa which reportedly destroyed over 700 homes and 200 businesses . During this event, the thriving Greenwood business district was virtually destroyed . Greenwood had become so successful that it was referred to as The Black \AfJII Streer - equal to Chicago 's State Street or Beal Street in Memphis. Greenwood 's success was due to blacks being forced to spend most of their money only on the north side of the city No official death count was ever obtained from the riot, but estimates are as high as l 75.

In the l 960 's, there were sit-ins , demonstrations and legal battles for equal opportunity in wages, education and basic civ il rights .

Today, the black population in Oklahoma is 204 ,658 or 6.8% of the total population. Most of the black population resides in either Tulsa , with 20%, or Oklahoma City, with 35 % . In Oklahoma City, the majority of blacks live on the city 's northeast side . This area is currently undergoing dramatic changes due to new development and Urban Renewal. Bordering the revitalized downtown area (where the Galleria Shopping Center and Office Complex is being developed), the ' East Side ' is the home of the governor's Mansion, State Cap itol , major state agencies and offices, four

hospitals and some of the state 's most popular tour ist attracti ons . Prope rty va lue near the state cap itol is on the increase and ne ighborhood assoc iations are wor ki ng to improve the quality of life on the East Side.

POLITICAL/CIVIL RIGHTS

Bla ck Ok lahomans have se rved as delegates to both the Democratic and Rep ublican National Conventions , been appointed to national pos iti ons at conferences such as the United States Commission to the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO : Hannah Atk ins, 197 9), and on the U.S. Commission on Aging (Lennie To lli ver, 198 l ) . Bla cks have been appointed to state boards and elected to publ ic offi ce . Elected offici als in clud e:

• State Sena tor E. Me lvin Porte r, Distri ct 48

• State Senato r Bernard McIntyre, District 2 (Tu lsa )

• State Representat ive Kevin Cox, Distr ict 97

• State Representative Freddye Will iams, Distri ct 99

• State Representative Don Ross, Distr ict 73 (Tulsa)

• City Councilman Reve rend Goree James, Ward 7

• OKC School Board Member, Reverend Clyde Muse

In 1982, the first Black, ever, was elected County Comm issioner to the Oklahoma County Comm ission , Shirley Darrell.

There are Blacks in key adm inistrative positions at two of the State 's major federa l installati ons : Tinker Air Force Base and the Federal Av iation Administration , where many of the nation 's air-traffic controllers are trained . Organizations in OKC with national affiliations include :

• Nationa l Assoc iation for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) , founded in 1913 .

• Urban League of Greater Oklahoma City, Inc ., founded in 1946 .

Despite the years of work by these two organizations, there still ex ists a need to improve black economic status and the upward mobil ity of Black people.

Blacks serve on the State Human Rights Comm iss ion, the State Office of Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and similar civil rights agencies . These efforts will undoubtedly keep the cause of equal opportunity before the community.

A sign ificant movement by Black profess ionals in OKC to organize within the ir profess ions has resulted in the creation of the follow ing organ izations :

• OKLAHOMA ALLIANCE AGAINST RACIST & POLITICAL REPRESSION

• BLACK WOMEN 'S ACTION ALLIANCE

• BLACK CAUCUS IN THE OKLAHOMA LEGISLATURE

• FEDERATED WOMEN'S CLUBS

• NATIONALASSOCIATION OF BLACK ACCOUNTANTS

• BLACK ALLIANCE FOR AFFIRMATIVE ACTION

• MED-DE-PHAR (Medical, Dental, Pharmacy)

• J.J. BRUCE LAW SOCIETY

• BLACK MEDIA ASSOCIATES

• ASSOCIATION OF BLACK SOCIAL WORKERS

• BLACKS IN GOVERNMENT

• NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF BLACK LAWYERS

• PROFESSIONAL BLACK EDUCATORS ASSOCIATION

• OKLAHOMA BLACK PROFESSIONALS IN HIGHER EDUCATION

EDUCATION

Black children living in Northeast Oklahoma City can expect to be assigned to schools away from their neighborhood during grades l through 4, attend 5th grade in a ne ighborhood Fifth Year Center and be assigned out again in grades 6 through 12 . This system follows the School Board policy of assuring that each school will have a ratio of Blacks and other races equal to the ratio for the entire school system.

There are two senior high schools, nine fifth year centers and one Middle school located on the East sid e. There are numerous pre-school programs and one Montessori school. Private school education is available at the C.H. Mason Christian Academy and Bible College and Corpus Christi Catholic Elementary School. There is a primarily black school system on the East Side, Millwood Public Schools , with an elementary and secondary school.

The vocational technical school system in OKC, for students up to age 18, offers studies in such fields as cosmotology, tailoring , practical nursing, auto mechanics and business . Adult programs are available at the OKC Skills Center and Opportunities Industrialization Center.

Higher education facilities in the Metro OKC area includes:

• University of Oklahoma (Norman)

• Central State University (Edmond)

• Oklahoma City University

• Oklahoma City Commun ity College

• Rose State College

Langston University, the state 's only predominately black institution of higher education , was established in 1897 . Located in Langston , Oklahoma , 40 miles from Oklahoma City, L. U offers baccalaureate programs on its main campus and upper level undergraduate courses at

irs Urban Center in Northeast OKC. The Urban Center also offers workshops and seminars of general interest.

The Ralph Ellison Branch Library, located at N.E. 23rd and Eastern Ave ., was named for the internationally known author (" Invisible Man ") and native Oklahoman . This branch of the OKC Library System regularly schedules workshops, lectures, art exhib its and cultural activities .

Other educational and recreational facilities located on the East Side include :

• Firefighters Museum

• National Softball Hall of Fame

• National Cowboy Hall of Fame

• Oklahoma Historical Society

• 45th Infantry Division Museum

• Harn Homestead

• Kirkpatrick Center

• Omniplex/Kirkpatrick Planetarium

• Air Space Museum

CULTURE

Cultura l events in Northeast Oklahoma City are planned throughout the year. February, Black Heritage Month, is one of the most active times of the

State Capito l Oklahoma City

year for Black ar ts Many organi zations, schools an d publi c agenc ie s pla n even ts to comme morate Bla ck culture. Durin g this time, there are art exhi bits, poetry read ings, plays , lec ture s and panel discus sions with a Black theme . Speakers of national reputation are often spon sored by area colleges .

"Juneteenth " (June 19) is another popular time to celebrate Black culture . It is the ann iversary of the day Black people in this region learned of the emancipation . Th is celebrat ion includes week-long festivities of mus ic, art and dance .

Other cultural activities du ri ng the year include a season schedule of performances by the Black Liberated Arts Cente r (B .L.A. C., Inc.),

exhibitions of local Black visu al art ists by the Oklahoma African -American Cultural Institute, Inc and a permanent collection of African Art at the

Sanamu Gallery, Kirkpatrick Center, sponsored by the NTU Art Association .

RELIGION

In Northeast Ok lahoma Cit y, as in every Black commu nit y, the Church plays an integral part in the lives of its residents . In the forefront of protests during the Civil Rights movement, the Black Church has provided some of the city 's most outstanding leadership. Ministers and clergy from every denomination have urged improved human relat ions and have always served as the spiritual anchor of the Black communi ty

In Oklahoma City, there are over l 00 churches with a predom inately Black congrega ti on includ ing Baptist, Seven th Day Adven ti st, Church of God , Church of God In Ch ri st, Methodist (CME ), AME , Ep iscopal , Catho li c and others . Some of these churches offer add itional serv ices to the community such as free tutoring programs for students, seminars on marriage, etc.

There are several organizations of clergy which are active not only in church affairs but also focus on the condition of Black life in OKC . They frequently hold workshops or seminars for community leaders and may present position statements to the press concerning major issues affecting the Black community

They include :

• Concerned Clergy for Spir itual Renewal

• Methodist Ministers Alliance

• Baptist Ministers Alliance

• Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance

ENTERTAINMENT

Fam ily enterta inment on the East Side of Oklah oma City includes the Oklahoma City Zoo, var ious mu seum s ( see education ), and recreati on centers operated by the Par k Departme nt. The se centers, alo ng with the Easts ide YMCA and Mc Far land YWCA, offe r classes in phys ical fitne ss, arts, crafts, sports , gymn astics and other areas .

For night life , there are several popular clubs includ ing Jazzy's on N. Classen , Kempo 's on N.E. 23 , the Odyssey on Springlake Dr ive and Boog ie's Place on Li ncoln Boulev ard. The Club Owne r's Assoc iation regularly advertises sp ecial events in the local media . Their goa l is to prov ide high qu ality enterta inment in a comfortable atmosphere .

Major events in the OKC area include the Annual Boley rode o, hel d every Memorial Day weekend in Bo ley, 60 mil es from Oklahom a Cit y ( Boley is one of the few all -black towns remain ing in the state). The Rodeo , held since 1960, draws crowds of over 18,000 .

The Ebony Fashion Fair, sponsored by the Urban League Guild , is held each spring with proceeds going to a scholarship fund and the Urban League in OKC .

There are annual banquets with na tionally known speakers held by major organizations such as the NAACP and Urban League Local chapters of the Black Greek organ izat ions are active and schedule soc ial events and educational projects year round .

The Soul Bazaar, an annual trade fa ir, features displays by major corporations, educational institu ti ons and black businesses . It is held at the Myriad Convention Center in downtown OKC.

There are active chapters of Jack and Jill , Optimist Club , Big Brothers and Big Sisters and scouting organizations tha t plan many activities for young people.

At-home entertainment includes telev ision programm ing for the minority audience and publ icat ions as follows :

• Cable Telev ision (Pan Oklahoma Cable)

• Urban League " In Focus " -Channel 19 (cable)

• "Making lt'-Channel 19 (cable)

• "Saturday Review" - Channel 5 (KOCO)

• "Unity" - Channel 4 (KTVY)

• "Tony Brown's Journal " - Channel 13 (OETA)

• Black Chronicle Newspaper

• Urban League Report (quarterly news letter)

• Metropolitan Fair Housing Counc il (monthly newsletter)

Black businesses thrived in Northeast Oklahoma City despite years of segregation and discrimination . These businesses included the "Black Dispatch Newspaper " which gave the National Negro Business League one of irs finest presidents, Roscoe Dunjee

Currently, the local chapter of the National Business League attempts to eliminate the isolation of the Black business community from that of the business community at large . They also hope to improve the business skills and knowledge of Black and minority businessmen .

Businessmen seeking assistance in developing packages for loan proposals, construction projects, bonding assistance or other services may contact the Oklahoma Business Development Center. The Ceriter keeps a thorough listing of minority businesses in Oklahoma City

The recently developed James E. Stewart Industrial Park, located on N. E. 4th Street, is an example of business growth in OKC . The Industrial Park houses offices for an attorney, construction company, Langston Urban Center and other corporations . The park is managed by a local development corporation , Oklahoma City Northeast, Inc .

Major business districts on the Northeast side of Oklahoma City include :

• Park Estates Shopping Center

• North East Shopping Center

• Perry Plaza

• N.E. 23rd between Kelly and Eastern Avenue

Black businesses in Oklahoma City include :*

• Leo 's Bar-b-Que Company

• Stell 's Restaurant

• Holmes Buffateria

• Rose 's Restaurant

• Delores ' Cafeteria

• Krispy King Ch icken

• Alberta 's Tea Room

• Eddy's Restaurant

• KAEZ Radio

• Sm ith Pri nt ing Company

• Todd 's Qu ick Pr int

• Royal Office Products

• Adroi t Manufactur ing

• J. R. & Son Oil Company

• Temple & Son Funeral Home

• Geronimo 's Bakery

• Offbeat Supper Club

• The Front Office

• Henderson Broadway Ford

• M & R Equipment Company

• S & M Enterprises

• Gold Transit Systems

• Lamoor Beauty Supply

• McKay-Davis Funeral Home

• Rolfe Funeral Home

• Soul Boutique Clothing

• Lang & Associates Insurance

• Agency for Insurance

• Clytus Industries

• Sharri's Enterprises (Restaurant, Dry Cleaners)

• Statum & Son Dry Cleaners

• Lyon 's Superette

*This is a partial listing . There are numerous other Black bus inesses in the City For a more thorough listing, consult the ' Directory of Minority Business,' available through the Oklahoma Bus iness Development Center.

HEALTH/SOCIAL WELFARE

There are four hospitals, two major cl inics, a blood institute, eye institute and medical/dental school within the medical complex that has been developed in Northeast Oklahoma City The City Health Department is also located in this area. Some of these facilities offer free or low cost services such as immunizations or sickle cell testing in addition to regular health care .

Each year a "Health Fair " is sponsored by the American Red Cross and KOCO TV Sites are located throughout the city with at least two in the Black community General screening is available at no cost with additional tests offered at a minimum fee .

In addition to physical health facilities , there are family counseling services, nursing homes and two apartment complexes for senior citizens ( operated by the OKC Housing Authority) on the East Side .

There is a strong United Way organization which aids some 40 member agencies in Oklahoma City Eight are located in the Black community

Social & H e alth care facilities in Northeast OKC include:

• Sunbeam Family Services

• Red Rock Mental & Comprehensive Health Center

• OKC County Health Department

• Department of Human Services

• Presbyterian Hospital

• Oklahoma Memorial Hospital

• Children 's Hospital

• Veterans Hospital

• Oklahoma City Cl inic

• Oklahoma Allergy Clinic

• McFarland YWCA

• Eastside YMCA

• Henr ietta B. Foster Multi-Purpose Center

• McGuire Plaza Senior Citi zens Residence

• Jeltz Center Senior Citizens Res idence Black Physicians , Surgeons and Dentists include :

• Dr William Clark (dental)

• Dr. Dunn Cumby (dental)

• Dr. Frank Cox (dental)

• Dr. Charles Atkins (family practice)

• Dr. Charles Tollett (surgeon)

• Dr. Wazu Ahmad (pediatrics)

• Dr. James Cox (psychiatry)

• Dr. Charles Biscoe (ophthalmology-eye)

• Dr. Vivian Wilson (Family Practice)

• Dr. Clarence Wiley (Dermatology)

• Dr. Al Dowell (Optometry)

• Dr. Johnson Sanford (family practice)

• Dr. S.J. Thompson (family practice)

• Dr. Robert Lonian (internal medicine)

• Dr. Ronald Watson (internal medicine)

• Dr. Leon Bragg ( dentist)

• Dr. Alfred Lutteroot (internal medicine)

• Dr. Frank Wilson (OB-GYN)

• Dr. Kenneth Thompson (OB-GYN)

Black Attorneys include : (PLEASE NOTE : This is a partial listing) .

• Robert Alexander

• Julia T. Brown

• Barry W Johnson

• Ronald L. Johnson

• Opio Toure

• Donald Davis

• Charles Brown

• Melvin Combs

• John Green

• Michael Braswell

• Senator E. Melvin Porter

• Visanio Johnson

HOUSING

There is a plentiful housing market in Oklahoma City, with the average 1,600 square foot home costing approximately $77 , 000 . Condominiums are also readily available .

There are many new apartment complexes in the city, with the fastest growth in Northwest OKC. Beginning rental rates in complexes average approximately $300 - $350 per month for a two bedroom apartment. First and last month rent, a deposit averaging from $50 - Sl 00, and references may be required before a lease is signed .

Homeowners and apartment renters are usually responsible for paying electric , gas, water, sewer and refuse services . While utility rates from 1972 to present have increased nationwide, gas and electric rates in Oklahoma are among the nation 's lowest.

Several agencies in the city work with tenants, prospective home owners, landlords and neighborhood associations , keeping their understanding of fair housing current and monitoring the housing climate of the city These agencies include the Metropolitan Fair Housing Council to which suspected instances of housing discrimination should be reported .

Also, the Northeast Neighborhood Assembly (NENA), sponsored by the Urban League of Greater Oklahoma City, Inc ., works very closely with over 30 neighborhood associations, offering technical assistance, crime prevention advice and other information relevant to the Northeast area .

The neighborhood bordering downtown, known as the Harrison-Walnut area, is undergoing dramatic changes as a result of Urban Renewal and the developing Central Expressway Other projects slated to begin in this area include the Pan Oklahoma Cable Television Building, a 600-unit apartment complex, and the 136-unit Chapparo! Townhouse project. This area is expected to become a modern , high quality urban area and an important commercial area within the next few years.

"NEWCOMER/VISITOR GUIDE TO OKLAHOMA CITY"

-A BLACK PERSPECTIVE -

The " Newcomer/Visitor Guide to Oklahoma City (Oklahoma's Frontier Country) , from a Black perspective, has been produced in cooperation with the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department; The Urban League of Greater Oklahoma City, Inc. , ( 405) 424-5243 ; and Frontier Country, ( 405) 232-2211 . For information on other parts of Oklahoma , contact: Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department, 500 Will Rogers Building , Oklahoma City, OK 73105 , ( 405) 521-2409.

Additional contributions have been made by the following businesses :

• General Motors

• J. R. & Son Oil Company

• Leo Smith Bar-B-Que

• Oklahoma Natural Gas

• Royal Office Products

• Sharri's Enterprises

• Oklahoma City Convention and Tourism Bureau

Cover Design by Paulette Black . Depicts Bill Pickett, the Black cowboy who invented bulldogging , or as it is frequently called now, "Steer Wrestling "