From Clara Luper to a beloved Black doctor, interactive tour showcased Oklahoma's Black history

A local activist and entrepreneur recalled asking a group of youths about the role Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. played in American history.

Jabee Williams remembers how surprised he was when the young people told him the civil rights icon "freed the slaves."

That conversation years ago helped motivate Williams to join the Rev. Derrick Scobey and the Oklahoma History Center in hosting the Black history-themed "Realizing the Dream" on Feb. 11 at the center, 800 Nazih Zuhdi Dr.The free event, which drew youths and families from throughout Oklahoma County, was the idea of Scobey and Saidy Orellana, director of the Oklahoma History Center's multicultural office. After eating pizza from Eastside Pizza House, which is owned by Williams, attendees were divided into groups for guided tours of the history center's exhibits focusing on Oklahoman Black history.

"It's important that we help our students to understand their own history," Orellana said. "What I have witnessed is this pattern of students that don't know their own history. I was a teacher in the past , so I understand some of the reasons. We have this exhibit and this galleries and amazing collection here from the historical society ... so it's important to look at the good, the bad and not so good, and have these conversations."

Scobey said he envisioned youths enjoying an afternoon of learning about Black history in a place that is essentially in "their backyard," referring to the history center's central location near the state Capitol. He said the special event was important because the youths would be future leaders and they needed to know about their history and learn from the lessons of the past.

The senior pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church took particular interest in a display featuring information and items related to Dr. Gravelly Finley, a beloved Black doctor and businessman who treated many Black Oklahoma City residents over the years. He shared some of his memories with young people and their families about how he had been Finley's patient and how the doctor triumphed over discriminatory practices designed to keep Black people from owning property in certain parts of the city.

Attendees and special guests

Scobey said he thought it was interesting that most of the youths and parents attending the event were from suburban areas, including Norman, Yukon, Mustang, Moore, Edmond and Midwest City. He said he pleased when Sean McDaniel, superintendent of Oklahoma City Public Schools showed up and shared a few remarks with the crowd.

Marilyn Hildreth, a civil rights leader and daughter of the late Oklahoma City civil rights icon Clara Luper, spoke to the youths about participating in the Oklahoma City sit-in movement that began in the late 1950s. Hildreth was one of 13 Black youths who participated in the first Oklahoma City NAACP Youth Council sit-in to desegregate Katz Drug Store in August 1958. She spoke to the tour groups in the exhibit area that focused on the sit-in movement, her mother Clara Luper and other issues related to efforts to end segregation in Oklahoma City.

"It isn't the age that matters ― it's the emotion that you have, the 'stick-to-it-ness,'" Hildreth told youths. "You can make a difference by getting involved."

Sheila McPherson, of Norman, said she was happy to bring her sons Jasper, 11, and Langston, 9, to the recent program. McPherson, who is African American, said she discusses Black History with her children all the time and she liked the idea of her children get to see and hear about Black history in the interactive, community format offered at "Realizing The Dream."

"I thought this would be something I could do in the community so that they know more," she said. "This is our history, American History, and I want them to learn about it."

Jake Lenhart, of Yukon, who is white, said he was intentional about bringing his children to the event.

"I have a multi-racial family ― I have four African American kids that I've adopted ― and so it's important for me to learn, it's important for them to see me learning and it's important for them to learn, as well," he said.

Meanwhile, Scobey said his church will host a Black History Program and the presentation of the 2023 Dr. Charles E. Butler Black History Trailblazer Award on Feb. 19. He said the program will feature orchestra students from Classen School of Advanced Studies at Northeast performing two selections.

Going on

• What: Black History Program & Dr. Charles E. Butler Black History Trailblazer Award

• When: 10 a.m. Feb. 19.

• Where: Ebenezer Baptist Church, 3600 N Kelley.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Youths learn about Oklahoman Black history in interactive, group format