Focus: Black Oklahoma | Tri City Collective

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News Reflecting Oklahoma's Diversity

TUNE IN EVERY THIRD SUNDAY AT 3 P.M. AND FOLLOWING FRIDAY AT 1 P.M.

KOSU 91.7 OKC | 107.5 Tulsa

KWGS Public Radio Tulsa 89.5

KWGS re-broadcasts

4th Thursday of the month at 12pm

and 4th Friday at 8pm.

Download and subscribe:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | Google Podcasts | NPR One

About

Back to Tri-City Collective

About

Tri-City Collective sensed a need for a media program that would engage issues of importance to African-Americans and all BIPOC communities. Issues that shed a positive light on our community instead of the negative aspects so often heard in the news. A show that could explore issues that are unique to Oklahoma's BIPOC citizens that are often ignored and a show that provides in-depth investigations of BIPOC life statewide-which is by no means monolithic.

So, Tri-City Collective, in partnership with KOSU, the Tulsa Artist Fellowship, and Oklahoma State University-Tulsa, created Focus: Black Oklahoma, an hour-long news and public affairs program on various topics relevant to the BIPOC communities statewide. Our show broadcasts monthly on KOSU and KWGS; both National Public Radio affiliates.

Focus: Black Oklahoma features spotlight interviews supported by stories on current topics and events in our BIPOC communities. These topics include news, politics, current affairs, education, law, arts, family, health, relationships, sports, finances, business, spirituality, technology, and more.

Focus: Black Oklahoma serves as a catalyst for change and understanding by strengthening Oklahoma's ability to create awareness for a more diverse and inclusive population.

Listen

TUNE IN EVERY THIRD SUNDAY AT 3 P.M.

AND FOLLOWING FRIDAY AT 1 P.M.

KOSU 91.7 OKC | 107.5 Tulsa

KWGS Public Radio Tulsa 89.5

KWGS re-broadcasts

4th Thursday of the month at 12pm

and 4th Friday at 8pm.

Listen to Episode 1 of Focus: Black Oklahoma

Ep 1

This episode focuses on the alarming death rate Black women experience during childbirth, a rural teacher speaks out about potentially dangerous protocols in a northeastern Oklahoma school district and why it's unsafe, how Black nurses are going above and beyond to support their patients and their community during the COVID-19 pandemic, the unexpected lesson COVID-19 revealed at Muskogee's Cherokee Elementary school, the Biden administration's promises to the Black community and we speak with Marilyn Vann, the president of the Descendants of Freedmen of the Five Civilized Tribes Association, who is running for a seat on the Cherokee Tribal Council.

Listen to Episode 2 of Focus: Black Oklahoma

Ep 2

On this episode, we explore why citizens in Black and Indigenous communities harbor a deep distrust for vaccines, and the history that validates their concerns. We report on the Ku Klux Klan's attempts to recruit new members in several small towns right after the Presidential election and sit down to find out what it takes to fight for life on death row and the creative allies necessary to prove innocence. We also spotlight a leader behind an organization that addresses the lack of Black women in executive roles in corporate America and look at the horizon of Oklahoma’s first all-Black town and the ambitions of the Black women leading its development efforts. Finally, we follow a performer whose talent takes her from local venues to the national stage.

Listen to Episode 3 of Focus: Black Oklahoma

Ep 3

On this episode, we follow up on the Oklahoma City Black Lives Matter protestors who were charged with domestic terrorism last June and examine the so-called Second Amendment Sanctuary Laws recently passed by state legislators in defense of civil liberties. We also explore the Cherokee Nation ruling regarding the status of Freedmen and investigate the recent trend of racist attacks against Jewish and Asian Americans. Then, we speak with two Bartlesville entrepreneurs who have defied the pandemic odds and kept their doors open and visit with the owner of a sneaker shop who paid rent for folks struggling with eviction notices. Finally, we celebrate the magic of Black women.

Download and subscribe:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | Google Podcasts | NPR One

Listen

Co-hosts

Co-Hosts

Kuma Roberts Co-Host of Focus Black Oklahoma

KUMA ROBERTS, IOM has over 10 years of organizational development experience specializing in the business case for diversity, equity & inclusion.

Kuma is passionate about racial and social justice with emphasis shifting policy and practice vs. hearts and minds and speaking to how more companies and organizations can harness the power of DEI to enhance their competitive advantage.

Jacob Littlebear Co-Host of Focus Black Oklahoma .png

JACOB LITTLEBEAR is a Mvskoke citizen of Yuchi and Shawnee descent and a Marine Corps veteran.

Jacob is dedicated to elevating marginalized voices across Oklahoma and addressing issues of Indigenous sovereignty, environmental justice, and economic inequality.