Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a champion of civil rights and justice, is celebrated each year on the third Monday of January to honor his tireless work toward racial equality and his commitment to nonviolent change. First observed as a federal holiday in 1986, MLK Day not only recognizes his leadership in the fight for civil rights but also serves as a call to action for communities to reflect on his message of unity, equality and service. Dr. King’s life and legacy continue to inspire people across the nation to pursue justice and equity.
In Okmulgee, local schools are hosting events to honor Dr.
King and encourage students to engage with his ideals.
At Okmulgee Primary, Gary Calip, a retired educator with 43 years of experience as a teacher, coach, and administrator, will speak to students. A former athlete at Southwestern Oklahoma State University, he is also a member of the SWOSU Athletic Hall of Fame.
Okmulgee High School will host Joshua Jackson, a journalist and 2012 OHS graduate, who will reflect on Dr. King’s legacy and the importance of shared responsibility in building “the dream.”
The Academy of Okmulgee’s MLK program, themed Change Continues with Us, will take place Friday, Jan. 17, at 1 p.m. at the Rowe Family Life Center.
Okmulgee Dunbar School will welcome Autumn Brown of OSU-Tulsa for two programs on Tuesday, Jan. 21, at 9:45 a.m. and the second at 10:30 a.m.
Brown is an assistant professor with the Oklahoma Oral History Research Program at Oklahoma State University. In addition to her role at OSU, she owns a research consulting business called Winona Jewel Research Consulting, LLC. Her aim is to amplify marginalized voices, specifically Black voices, through oral storytelling.
Brown is an alumni of the John Robert Lewis fellowship with the Faith & Politics Institute in Washington, D.C., was a participant in the 2023 Columbia University oral history summer institute, and serve on the board of directors for BLAC, inc. She currently manages the Clara Luper Freedom Archive in Oklahoma City.
