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OKLAHOMA CAPITOL -- For 16 years, the Oklahoma Black Heritage Celebration has stirred the echoes of Oklahoma’s rich African American heritage, honored the living legends of today and worked to educate future generations on the contributions of Black Oklahomans.
This year’s celebration will be held at 11:30 a.m. at the Omniplex, located at 2100 N.E. 52nd in Oklahoma City. In honor of the celebration, Gov. Brad Henry has proclaimed Feb. 27, 2004, as Black Heritage Day in Oklahoma.
Scheduled to appear are the Northeast Specialty School Drum Group, Classen School of Advanced Studies Black History Club, Gospel Singer Doris Cole, the Langston University Jazz Band, the Men of Faith Quartet, the Guthrie High School Black Heritage Club, the Douglass High School Gospel Choir and the Millwood Elementary School Dance Troupe. The Master of Ceremonies this year will be Brandon Truttling from television station KWTV.
James L. Howard will be presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Howard has served as the Executive Director of the Oklahoma Merit Protection Commission since 1984. This year there will be two Trailblazer Awards given.
The first Trailblazer Award will be given to Judge Charles G. Hill. Hill began his long and distinguished law enforcement career in 1958 working undercover and today presides over preliminary matters on the felony criminal docket and the Oklahoma County Drug Court docket.
The second Trailblazer Award will be given to Blaise Labbe, News Director for KWTV. Labbe started his career as a camera operator in 1984 and today is the only African American television news director in Oklahoma. The Community Service Award is being given to Emilykaye Lonian. Lonian served on the Oklahoma Commission for Human Services from 1997 until 2003. Lonian has a long career of public service in both government and law.
Admission is free and open to the public; however, donations will be accepted to help continue this annual event. The Oklahoma Tax Commission, Arts Council, Department of Human Services, Historical Society and the Omniplex sponsor the Annual Black Heritage Celebration.
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