May 31, 2021 - On the 100th anniversary of the Tulsa Race Massacre, one of the deadliest massacres fueled by racism, hate and intolerance our country has seen, we remember and honor the victims and descendants of such heinous acts of violence.

We acknowledge that much work is still needed for justice to be met. We also pledge our commitment to continue our work of confronting racism, bias and bigotry in Oklahoma.

The guilty verdict yesterday out of Minnesota is a key step toward police accountability in our communities — particularly communities of color. However, we know there is much work needed to dismantle systemic racism. We also know that no ruling can restore a life that was unjustly lost. Yesterday’s verdict was not justice for George Floyd, rather a step in the right direction. We acknowledge the pain and trauma that many in our community have felt throughout the trial and we stand in solidarity with them.

OCCJ is committed to achieving respect and understanding for all Oklahomans. We will continue to do our part by providing meaningful programs and initiatives aimed to confront the biases and preconceived notions that maintain systems of oppression.

OCCJ acknowledges the election has led to heightened tension and emotion in our home city of Tulsa and around the nation. We continue to stand in solidarity with and support those who feel unsettled by the events that have transpired throughout this campaign season.
We maintain our commitment to opposing white supremacy, hate, and oppression in all forms. We affirm the work of community organizations and grassroots organizers who oppose bigotry, bias, and racism, and uphold justice, equity, and inclusion.
We must continue to demonstrate our commitment to these guiding principles through both words and actions. In the spirit of our mission, we invite you to engage in meaningful and respectful dialogue with others and learn about the history of racism and present-day racial inequities.

Now more than ever, we cannot stand by and simply hope that things will change. We must reimagine systems and structures in our society so that they are no longer weaponized as tools of oppression.
We walk with you on this journey.

OCCJ joins NFJC affiliates in opposing the federal ban on DEI training.

We condemn, in the strongest terms, the rallying of armed, white supremacist militia groups. Through our work, we know that many feel disturbed, unsettled, afraid, and lost as white nationalist groups feel emboldened and continue to gain visibility. In the spirit of our founding as a volunteer-led movement to support and advocate for communities facing hostility, we stand with and are here for you.

We are resolved to work to ensure the future reflects our vision – free of bias, bigotry, racism, and oppression in all its forms.

The Oklahoma Center for Community and Justice honors and celebrates the significance of the Juneteenth holiday. We stand in solidarity with community organizations that oppose bigotry, bias, and racism, and that affirm diversity, equity, and inclusion. We remain steadfast in our dedication to achieving respect and understanding for all through education and dialogue.

As members of the community who join you in organizing against racial oppression, we are alarmed, heartbroken and outraged at the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and the countless other Black and Brown victims of violence.
Now more than ever, we want you to know - you are not alone. We are with you.
For over 60 years, OCCJ has been dedicated to eliminating bias, bigotry and racism across the state. We offer opportunities for dialogue and education to empower individuals to create inclusive communities where justice and equity are the norm.
We invite you to stand in solidarity and demonstrate that Black Lives Matter through both words and actions.
• Learning about the history of racism and present-day racial inequities.
• Listening to your colleagues and neighbors who are of different racial backgrounds and participating in community and workplace conversations as you become
accountable for a change in your thinking and behavior.
• Advocating for greater transparency and accountability from law enforcement
• Ending repressive use of force by police and shifting funding priorities towards social justice restorative practices for community safety.
• Going beyond traditional diversity and inclusion training to transform not only the organizations you are a part of but also the communities where you work and live so
that Black people and other People of Color are seen as equal and treated with justice.
We continue on the journey to identify, confront, and end systemic racism with you.
For all,
The Board of Directors and Staff of OCCJ

OCCJ is alarmed by vandalism to the Philbrook Museum of Art's billboard advertising an exhibition of Islamic art and horrified by the recent assault of a Black man in Shawnee. As we prepare for Anytown Leadership Institute, we are reminded of the ladder of oppression and the fact that these incidents do not happen overnight, but originate as subtle acts of bias such as jokes and stereotyping.

OCCJ encourages individuals to confront internally held biases and commit to equitable and just outcomes for all people. To join our work in achieving respect and understanding for all, visit occjok.org.

For 60 years, OCCJ has been dedicated to educating Oklahomans to realize our shared humanity while celebrating our rich diversity. In this work, we have learned that the dehumanization of individuals and groups leads to hate and human atrocities.
We grieve for the victims and survivors of the anti-Semitic violence in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. We mourn for those who lost their lives due to racist violence in Jeffersontown, Kentucky. We are concerned for those who have been targets due to their political viewpoints. We hurt for our transgender friends and neighbors whose existence is constantly questioned and who face countless hateful acts. We ache with immigrants and refugees who live in fear due to the state of the world. We stand in solidarity with those who face systemic oppression each day.
We are committed to continuing to work, today, tomorrow and for as long as necessary, to eliminate bias, bigotry and racism in our state, in our generation.
Join us in advancing this critical mission.

In a time of greater divide, it is important to remember the principles and values which have made our community and nation a place of opportunity and refuge for many. Emma Lazarus captured so eloquently the compassion and selflessness which we strive to emulate, “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddle masses yearning to be free . . .” We urge leaders of our state and nation to consider the countless lives who will be negatively impacted by measures which aim to turn our backs on the most vulnerable.
There are real dangers for Oklahomans whose identities are tied to immigration. The dangerous rhetoric against different groups has caused an increase of violence, discrimination and hate crimes in our very communities which must not be tolerated. When we ostracize and vilify the “other” we are bound to create a platform where fear will develop into hate.
We stand in solidarity with those individuals who have made Oklahoma their home and who continue to positively contribute to our state. We will work tirelessly until we achieve respect and understanding among all people, despite our deepest differences.

Political grandstanding is expected in an election year. Such blatant pandering, however, should stop short of inciting violence against followers of a particular faith.
That’s why we’re are so disappointed with the tepid response of state leaders to the anti-Muslim comments of a few of their fellow politicians.
The words of our elected officials carry great significance. Their responsibility is to represent all Oklahomans, not just those they favor politically.
That responsibility includes standing up for the rights of Oklahoma Muslims, who are routinely subject to threats and abuse.
As directors and staff of the Oklahoma Center for Community and Justice, we strive to eliminate bias, bigotry and racism in our state by promoting respect and understanding among all races, religions and cultures.

New 6 Omaha - “I think it’s far more useful to focus on the outcome of these trainings or what happens in them,” the Communications Director for the Oklahoma Center for Community and Justice, Sandi Cox, said.

Fox 23 - The Oklahoma Center for Community and Justice announced its newest program in collaboration is with the 1921 Race Massacre Commission, the Youth Race and Leadership Forum.

Tulsa World - The public is invited to share messages and artwork with themes of reconciliation and social justice through the community art project “And Justice for All: No More Silence,” an initiative of the John Hope Franklin Center for Reconciliation and 16 community organizations.

FOX 23 - Community leaders in Tulsa are holding a virtual conversation Monday to talk about the black experience in the U.S.

Tulsa People - When Ginny Creveling, TulsaPeople’s 2006 Tulsan of the Year, talks about the Oklahoma Center for Community and Justice, she exudes enthusiasm.

Tulsa People - Though Christmas is a day sacred to many, November and December also hold major and minor holidays recognized by the world’s religions. (Story continued on tulsapeople.com)

May is AAPI Heritage Month

Meet Our New Board of Directors

Thank You Respect Diversity Foundation

Anytown Applications Are Now Open

Announcing our new Fund Development Director, Morgan Allen-White

Inclusive Leadership Institute
Application Deadline Extended--There is still time to apply! The application deadline is now February 25, 2022

Teen Trialogue - We are excited to partner with local faith centers to host this year's Teen Trialogue! The event will be fully virtual, taking place in two sessions on February 16th and 23rd from 7-8 p.m. We will be discussing what our faith traditions can teach us about refugees and immigrants. (Continue reading in February 8 newsletter)

NOW VIRTUAL: 35th Annual Knippa Interfaith Lecture (Continue reading in January 25 newsletter)

Inclusive Leadership Institute - Applications Now Open! Applications are open for the Spring 2022 ILI session! (Continue reading in January 25 newsletter)

Mark your calendars for ILI. We're happy to announce that we have the dates for the next Inclusive Leadership Institute! It will take place on three Thursdays in the Spring, March 10th, March 24th, and April 7th 2022. (Continue reading in January 11 newsletter)

OCCJ Mission and Vision Through our strategic planning process, we were able to craft updated Mission and Vision statements for the Oklahoma Center for Community and Justice which we are proud to share with you. (Continue reading in December 28 newsletter)

Join Our Team! We're hiring a Development Director! The Development Director is a self-starter, connector, communicator extraordinaire, with an entrepreneurial spirit who has a passion for advocacy and social justice. They enjoy fundraising, relationship building, and operations and management duties. (Continue reading in December 14 newsletter)

Join us this Giving Tuesday and support our mission that empowers individuals to create inclusive communities. Thanks to your support this year, we reached over 4,000 program participants and continued to safely host online and in-person events throughout the year. We couldn't do it without you! (Continue reading in November 30 newsletter)

Thank you so much for supporting the OKC Annual Awards on November 2nd! The evening wouldn't have been possible without our supporters and sponsors. (Continue reading in November 16 newsletter)

The OKC Annual Awards are tonight! They will honor Claudia San Pedro, President of SONIC Drive-In, for her commitment to diversity and inclusion and dedication to Oklahoma's students. (Continue reading in November 2 newsletter)

Thank you so much for your support of the Tulsa Annual Awards on October 14th! We could not have had such a wonderful evening without our supporters and sponsors. (Continue reading in October 19 newsletter)

We are pleased to introduce Aria Sanders! Welcome Aria Sanders, our new Program Coordinator at OCCJ and Tulsa Service Year fellow! Aria is passionate about education, health, and community. She believes having discussions and providing resources aid in cultivating an inclusive community. (Continue reading in October 5 newsletter)

Register Now for the Youth Race & Leadership Forum (Continue reading in September 21 newsletter)

Save the Date for the Tulsa Annual Awards! OCCJ's Tulsa Annual Awards will be Thursday, October 14th from 6pm-9pm. This will be a hybrid event, virtual and in-person. (Continue reading in September 7 newsletter)

Save the Dates! The fall 20201 Youth Race and Leadership Forum (YRLF), in collaboration with Greenwood Rising will take place on Friday, November 5th: 4pm - 7pm, Saturday, November 6th: 9am - 5pm, Saturday, November 13th: 9am - 5pm (Continue reading in August 24 newsletter)

OCCJ is thrilled to announce our Tulsa Annual Awards 2021 Honoree! This fall, we will be honoring the work of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Centennial Commission, their efforts to educate Oklahomans and Americans about the Race Massacre and its impact on the state and Nation and for their efforts to remember its victims and survivors. (Continue reading in August 10 newsletter)

Anytown Leadership Institute is this week! We want to thank the friends of OCCJ for helping recruit and support the Summer 2021 delegates that are participating in Anytown starting Tuesday! (Continue reading in July 27 newsletter)

Advancing Oklahoma: Register today! There’s still time to join us for Advancing Oklahoma: A Statewide Conversation on Race! (Continue reading in July 13 newsletter)

One From Many - Thursday, July 1. A 30-45 minute service of readings, prayers, and song. Rooted in religious traditions. Reflecting on this critical time in the nation’s history.
(Continue reading in June 29 newsletter)

We're hiring! We are looking for a self-starter, connector, communicator extraordinaire, with an entrepreneurial spirit to join our team and help us increase our statewide impact. (Continue reading in June 15 newsletter)

Oklahoma City Annual Awards - It is our greatest pleasure to announce that OCCJ is honoring Claudia San Pedro, President of SONIC, for her commitment to diversity and inclusion and dedication to Oklahoma’s students. The Oklahoma City Annual Awards is scheduled for Tuesday, November 2, 2021 at 6 p.m. (Continue reading in June 1 newsletter)

Advancing Oklahoma - OCCJ is excited to invite you to participate in “Advancing Oklahoma: A Statewide Conversation on Race.” This new program is free, but registration is required. Individuals associated with OCCJ and with our partner organizations are able to participate on the first year of the program. (Continue reading in May 18 newsletter)

A message to our friends from Moises Echeverria, OCCJ President &CEO! (Continue reading in May 4 newsletter)