TULSA, Okla.–Entering its fourth year, Black History Saturdays returns Saturday, Feb. 8 for Tulsans of all ages to explore the unfiltered excellence of their real history that’s been banned or blurred from Oklahoma classrooms.
For Kristi Williams, a 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre descendant and founder of the weekly community-based classes, learning your history provides a blueprint for the future.
“It’s not just about education, it’s about identity. It’s about power, and that’s important. We have to know who we are and where we come from,” Williams told the Black Wall Street Times.
Located inside the EduRec facility at 5424 N. Peoria, Black History Saturday classes run on Saturdays from 9:15 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. from February to November with a free breakfast at 8:45 a.m. Students receive lessons and interactive activities from expert educators.
Teaching real history
The start of this year’s classes come as Oklahoma State Superintendent Ryan Walters continues to push for religion in Oklahoma Public Schools while enforcing a limited view of Oklahoma and U.S. history.
At the beginning of the 60th Oklahoma Legislative session on Monday, lawmakers grilled Walters on why he seeks $3 million to put Trump bibles in the classroom.
“It’s the most published book in the world, so that gives an opportunity for competition. But it’s essential that our kids understand the foundational documents in American history. We’ve rewritten our history standards to reflect that, and I think we need to go back to having a Bible in every classroom,” Walters told News 9.
As Williams prepares for an influx of new students at Black History Saturdays, it provides an outlet for teaching real history without influence from state government.
“I used to spend a lot of time trying to figure out how I’m gonna fight Ryan Walters. Well, you know what? I have to build it myself,” Williams told the Black Wall Street Times. “That’s what we used to do anyway through freedom schools. Before segregation, we taught our own kids. So, you have to create more spaces, spaces where we’re community-led and teaching Black history.”
Black History Saturdays grows
Despite beginning with no resources, Williams has managed to grow the size of her classes and gain support from organizations like National Geographic, where she’s been named a National Geographic explorer.
“I have more people than I’ve ever thought I would ever have. Right now the enrollment is at 245, so I mean, it’s shows a huge need, and a lot of them are adults,” Williams said.
Enrollment by the numbers:
- 5% are massacre descendants.
- 22% are freedmen descendants of the Five Tribes.
- Adults outnumber kids 2 to 1.
From courses on history and the arts to archeology to more, Black History Saturdays has something for the whole family to enjoy. To sign up, visit their website.
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