TULSA, Okla. — Green Country families can soon check out free, monthly Black history seminars in north Tulsa created to educate and empower.

1921 Tulsa Race Massacre descendent and Greater Tulsa African-American Affairs Commission member Kristi Williams wants to help Green Country families strengthen what they know about Black history.

“I just thought about all those children who will not get to learn their history,” she told FOX23 Friday.

Starting in February, Williams is launching ‘Black History Saturdays’ at EduRec in north Tulsa.

Williams has been working on this project for years, but tells me House Bill 1775, also known as the “critical race theory bill,” was a big motivator.

Williams explained, “instead of just fighting this and wearing myself out about fighting in this state, why not just create a space for educators and children and parents and community where they can come and learn Black history.”

Black History Saturdays are free, once-a-month, five-hour seminars for children in Pre-K through adults that will focus on the past, present and future. Each session has 120 spots split up by age, taught by eight teachers including Tulsa District 1 City Councilor Vanessa Hall Harper and Tulsa University Assistant Professor Dr. Alicia Odewale.

Curriculum comes partly from ‘The 2892 Miles to Go: Geographic Walk for Justice.’ Topics will include entrepreneurship, archaeology, how to find family history and the importance of verbal storytelling.

“It gives a good sense of pride when you learn about who you are and that your history did not start with slavery,” she said. “It is something that lights your soul up.”

The first Black History Saturday is set for Feb. 4 at EduRec in north Tulsa. The monthly seminars will run for nine months through November. Breakfast and lunch will be served.

You can sign up here.

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