Episode 87: Activism in Education during the Civil Rights Movement

In the mid-20^th century, the Civil Rights Movement brought change to the country as people all over the nation fought for the equal rights of Black Americans. While figures like Martin Luther King Jr. or Rosa Parks are usually at the top of mind in discussions on the movement, there are countless other stories of activists across the country who organized and brought about desegregation. In fact, some of the first sit-ins in the country started in Oklahoma City and were made up primarily of students.

This month, we’re exploring the Oklahoma Activism in Education during the Civil Rights Movement oral history project. This collection highlights the memories and experiences of Oklahoma City’s Black community in the1950s, 60s, and 70s and the process of desegregation. We’ll also hear from Dr. Autumn Brown, creator of the collection as she talks about the importance of preserving these stories.