06/02/2026
Black History is Oklahoma History
In 1890, Edward McCabe, a visionary lawyer and politician from New York, arrived in Oklahoma Territory with a dream. He established Langston, a sanctuary exclusively for Black settlers, offering a promise of equality and protection akin to that of their white counterparts. Ida B. Wells, the formidable journalist and anti-lynching advocate, during her visit in April 1892, recognized Oklahoma as a land of opportunity for Black individuals to embrace their full potential. This era marked a unique chapter in Oklahoma’s history, where, until the dawn of the 20th century, children of both races shared classrooms and Black Oklahomans not only participated in tribal and territorial governance but thrived in the bustling, inclusive economy of early Tulsa. This narrative underscores our state’s foundational belief in equality and the significant contributions of Black Oklahomans to our shared history.