© 2024 KOSU
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

'Focus: Black Oklahoma': Pride Month, the fight against human trafficking, Syrian refugee brings their culture to Tulsa

Ways To Subscribe
Pride flags wave during the 2022 Tulsa Pride Parade.
Jamie Glisson
/
Focus: Black Oklahoma
Pride flags wave during the 2022 Tulsa Pride Parade.

This episode of Focus: Black Oklahoma features two queer teens talking about intersectionality and inclusion, a Tulsa nonprofit fighting against human trafficking, and a Syrian refugee bringing their culture to Tulsa.

Last month, FBO correspondent Dr. Nick Alexandrov introduced us to a west Texas community under threat from the ONEOK Saguaro Connector Pipeline. In this month's installment, he also updates our Battle for Greenwood special that first aired in September 2021. On this episode, we air the second part of his story.

Tulsa has been known as a for everything from oil and gas, to art deco, and western swing music. Today, however, Tulsa is at risk of becoming known as a hub for human trafficking. One local nonprofit is working to change that. Anthony Cherry reports on this horrific situation.

Even in a deep red state like Oklahoma, the Democratic Party hasn’t thrown in the towel. In the Third Congressional District, a young Cheyenne-Arapaho citizen has recently been elected as the Oklahoma Democratic Party’s vice chair. Shonda Little speaks with him and others about this recent development.

It’s Pride month and amidst the current controversy around 2SLGBTQIA+, and especially trans rights, June is a time to create spaces for reflecting on intersectionality and what it really means to feel included. Smriti Iyengar talks with two queer teens about just that.

In February 2023, we introduced our All Black Towns series, exploring the history of towns established by Freedmen in Indian Territory with Carlos Moreno & Crystal Patrick. This month, Jazmine Bivar-Tobie takes us to Tullahassee for part two of our eight part series digging into the state’s historic all black towns.

Food is something that brings people together, and no one knows that better than Fatouh Kablaan, a Syrian refugee who resettled here through the New Tulsans Initiative. Fatouh has been sharing her culture with All Souls Unitarian Church. Carlos Moreno has details speaks with Fatouh and her husband about their experience in Oklahoma.

What kid didn't want a pony when they were growing up? Chaz Stephens was one of the lucky ones, or so he thought. Then he met "Two Face," a miniature horse. Listen to this story, it will have you laughing until you are a little hoarse yourself.


Focus: Black Oklahoma is produced in partnership with KOSU Radio, Tulsa Artist Fellowship, and Tri-City Collective. Additional support is provided by the George Kaiser Family Foundation, the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies, and the Commemoration Fund.

Our theme music is by Moffett Music.

Focus: Black Oklahoma’s executive producers are Quraysh Ali Lansana and Bracken Klar. Our associate producers are Smriti Iyengar and Jesse Ulrich. Sharodon Jenkins is our production intern.

Stay Connected
KOSU is nonprofit and independent. We rely on readers like you to support the local, national, and international coverage on this website. Your support makes this news available to everyone.

Give today. A monthly donation of $5 makes a real difference.
Related Content