OKC Annual Black Heritage Celebration Returns For The 29th Year

The annual Black Heritage Celebration returns to Oklahoma City for the 29th year.

This year's celebration will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on February 18 at the Metro-Technology Center, located at 1900 Springlake Dr.

"Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow" is this year's theme, and it will include entertainment from the Langston University Gospel Choir, directed by Bonita Franklin.

During the celebration, The Meritorious Service Award, The Trailblazer Award and The Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to honorees Jerome White, Ayanna Najuma and Ahmed Rashidi, respectively.

White is the Region 3 Deputy Director of Adult and Family Services for the Oklahoma DHS.

Najuma is a civil rights activist and leader, and Rashidi is a retired Oklahoma City Fire Department Fire Chief.

According to the DHS Office of Communications, the annual occasion "celebrates the diversity of cultures in Oklahoma and promotes mutual respect for different experiences, beliefs and perspectives."

The DHS Office for Civil Rights, the Oklahoma Department of Corrections, the Oklahoma Historical Society and the Oklahoma Corporation Commission are co-sponsoring the event.