Skip to main content
Community Leaders
  1. Home
  2. Topics
  3. Community Leaders

Oklahoma Community Leaders

Hear and learn from the oral histories of community leaders throughout the state of Oklahoma and how their work affected the lives of their fellow citizens.

Learn From These Influential Oklahomans

Ann Bartlett

Ann Bartlett

Former First Lady of Oklahoma

Ann served the state of Oklahoma alongside her husband, Dewey Bartlett.

Listen
Charlie Soap

Charlie Soap

Cherokee Nation Community Leader, Nonprofit Director

A lifelong community leader for the Cherokee Nation and long-serving nonprofit director, Charlie Soap reflects on his life of service.

Listen
Chief Geoffrey Standing Bear

Chief Geoffrey Standing Bear

Principal Chief of the Osage Nation

Chief Geoffrey Standing Bear, Principal Chief of the Osage Native American Nation, shares his experiences as chief, the history of the Osage Nation, the impact of The Reign of Terror, and his experiences during the filming -- and Cannes Film Festival debut -- of the movie Killers of the Flower Moon.

Listen
Chief Geoffrey Standing Bear - After the Cannes Film Festival

Chief Geoffrey Standing Bear - After the Cannes Film Festival

Principal Chief of the Osage Nation

Osage Chief Geoffrey Standing Bear shares his experiences and thoughts after attending the film premier of Killers of the Flower Moon at the Cannes Film Festival.

Listen
David Bernstein

David Bernstein

Community Leader

A life dedicated to the service of those in need has made him a valued community leader.

Listen
Dean VanTrease

Dean VanTrease

Tulsa Community College

Over three decades of leadership at Tulsa Community College brought access to public education and national recognition.

Listen
Dr. G. Calvin McCutchen

Dr. G. Calvin McCutchen

Mount Zion Baptist Church

A leading voice for racial justice and pastor of Mount Zion Baptist Church for 50 years.

Listen
Drs. Joe & Carol Conner

Drs. Joe & Carol Conner

Founders of the Fairfax Community Foundation

Drs. Joe and Carol Conner discuss the background of the crimes committed against the Osage people during the Reign of Terror, how the present day community is dealing with these crimes, and how the murders changed Fairfax forever.

Listen
Gloria Dialectic

Gloria Dialectic

Gloria Dialectic – Social Worker

She dedicated her career to helping society's most vulnerable citizens.

Listen
J. Blake Wade

J. Blake Wade

Community Leader & Promoter

One of Oklahoma's biggest proponents of celebrating our great state's history and culture.

Listen
Jenny Brouse

Jenny Brouse

Business Owner / Community Leader

From Russian to Tulsa. Jenny and her son, Brian, tell the family's immigration story.

Listen
Jim East

Jim East

Journalist, Civil Servant, Community Leader

A legendary Tulsa journalist, Jim East lived a rich life of service and pursued many diverse interests, including serving as the Chief of Staff to former Mayor Susan Savage and enjoying a successful career in the car rental industry, all while championing the works of many nonprofits and community initiatives.

Listen
Jim Rodgers

Jim Rodgers

Founder of Tulsa Spine and Specialty Hospital, Owner of Cain's Ballroom

A great surgeon, a good father, and a man whose indelible legacy includes revitalizing the legendary Cain's Ballroom and founding one of Oklahoma's most successful physician-owned hospitals.

Listen
Julius Pegues

Julius Pegues

First Black Varsity Basketball Player at Pittsburgh University, USAF Weather Forecaster, FAA Advisor, Activist

Julius Pegues was best known for his work to memorialize Tulsa’s 1921 Race Massacre and the history and culture of Black Tulsans through the John Hope Franklin Center for Reconciliation, with his efforts laying the groundwork for the Greenwood Rising History Center.

Listen
Lee Allan Smith

Lee Allan Smith

Community Leader & Promoter

Oklahoma's "Master of Ceremonies."

Listen
Loretta Young Jackson

Loretta Young Jackson

Community Leader

Lorettea holds many honors, but her greatest work lies in the discovery and restoration of the Verden Separate School.

Listen
Mollie Williford

Mollie Williford

Community Leader, Philanthropist, Education Advocate, Volunteer

Mollie Williford, wife of Williford Energy's Richard Williford, selflessly served Tulsa as a lifelong community leader, tireless volunteer, and fierce advocate for education.

Listen
Montie Box

Montie Box

Real Estate Developer, Civic Leader & Philanthropist

Montie Box, known as “Mr. Sand Springs,” was a real estate developer, civic leader, and philanthropist who served Sand Springs and its surrounding areas in many ways.

Listen
Nancy Feldman

Nancy Feldman

Educator and Civic Leader

Her legacy will long be remembered in the city of Tulsa.

Listen
Nancy Sevenoaks

Nancy Sevenoaks

Daughter of James C. Leake, Sr., OK Television and Radio Pioneer

Nancy Sevenoaks, daughter of Oklahoma broadcast television pioneer James C. Leake, tells the story of her father's incredible life and legacy.

Listen
Norma Eagleton

Norma Eagleton

Public Official and Lawyer

A pioneering public official and true servant to her community and fellow citizens.

Listen
Paul Thornbrugh

Paul Thornbrugh

Politician and Businessman

Known as "Mr. Republican," Paul was a businessman, patriot, public servant, politician, and -- most proudly -- a family man.

Listen
Ray Feldman

Ray Feldman

Community Leader

A lover of the law and human rights, anthropology, nature, and -- most of all -- his wife Nancy.

Listen
Rev. Dr. John B. Wolf

Rev. Dr. John B. Wolf

Unitarian Minister

As a senior minister at All Souls Unitarian Church, he used his pulpit to promote civil rights for minorities, women, and children.

Listen
Sid Patterson

Sid Patterson

Up With Trees

His legacy lives on in Tulsa's buildings, in its road infrastructure, and in the "Up with Trees" program.

Listen
Steve Turnbo

Steve Turnbo

Public Relations Executive, Chairman of Schnake Turnbo & Frank

Steve Turnbo, a legendary public relations executive and tireless advocate for the city of Tulsa, shares the story of his life, his work, and how he wishes to be remembered as an honest PR man.

Listen
Tom Clark

Tom Clark

President & CEO, Tulsair

Tom's business skills and successes gave him the opportunity to make a lasting impact in Tulsa.

Listen

Become a Sponsor of Our Mission

By becoming an official sponsor, you help us preserve Oklahoma’s history while creating a rich and fulfilling education for the next generation of Oklahoma’s students.