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OKLAHOMA CAPITOL --- After the Civil War, African Americans throughout the South heard the call to embark on a remarkable journey to a place where they could vote, study and be free.
They rode in the land runs and staked their claims on a brighter future and wrote an important page not only in Black history, but also in the history of their new home, a place called Oklahoma. On Feb. 25, hundreds will gather to honor the remarkable accomplishments of Black Oklahomans and celebrate our shared history during the Oklahoma Black Heritage Celebration 2005.
The celebration will be held at 11:30 a.m. at the Omniplex, located at 2100 N.E. 52nd St. in Oklahoma City. In honor of the celebration, Gov. Brad Henry has proclaimed Feb. 25, as Black Heritage Day in Oklahoma.
Scheduled to appear are the Gospel Singer Doris Cole, the Rogers Middle School Choir, Guthrie High School, Marcus Garvey Leadership Charter School, Norma Goff and a poetry reading from Daisy Johnson. The Mistress of Ceremony this year will be Kia Malone from television station KWTV.
The Marcus Garvey Leadership Charter School will be presented with the Community Service Award. The Trailblazer Award will be given to Jess Celia Nunley, Ph.D., a pioneer who spent much of her distinguished nursing career breaking down the color barrier for black nurses in Oklahoma. And the Lifetime Achievement Award will be given to Dr. Ernest L. Holloway, educator, leader and president of Langston University, Langston, Oklahoma.
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 this annual celebration.
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