Press Release
April 25, 2025
Contact: Jessica Brogdon
Oklahoma Historical Society
Office: 405-522-0780
[email protected]
okhistory.org/grants
Choctaw Freedmen Citizenship Footprints, Inc. Awarded $12,512 for Oklahoma Heritage Preservation Grant Project
OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma Historical Society (OHS) is pleased to announce that the Choctaw Freedmen Citizenship Footprints, Inc. has been awarded $12,512 through the Oklahoma Heritage Preservation Grant Program. This funding will support preserving Choctaw and Freedmen Ancestors’ history and heritage through narrative storytelling using documentary filming.
“Senate District 48 congratulates Choctaw Freedmen Citizenship Footprints, Inc. on their grant funding through the Oklahoma Heritage Preservation Grant Program,” stated Sen. Nikki Nice, Oklahoma City. “I am thrilled that this grant will establish a lasting impact, with resharing our resilience and legacy of Black history and Choctaw and Freedmen ancestors’ lasting footprints beyond our city and state. Seeing the action of this grant will provide a timeless registry of storytelling through the collection, preservation and sharing of this important intersecting Black history.”
“I am proud to celebrate the Choctaw Freedmen Citizenship Footprints, Inc. for receiving this well-deserved grant through the Oklahoma Heritage Preservation Grant Program,” stated Rep. Ajay Pittman, Oklahoma City. “This funding will help preserve the invaluable stories of Choctaw and Freedmen ancestors, ensuring their history and contributions remain accessible for generations to come. Supporting initiatives that honor and uplift Oklahoma’s cultural heritage is essential to our state’s legacy, and I commend the Oklahoma Historical Society for investing in this meaningful project.”
“The ‘Discover History With The Freedmen of SE Oklahoma’ documentary project is an essential initiative dedicated to preserving the rich heritage of the Freedmen and their descendants in Oklahoma,” stated Doris Burris Williamson, president. “By interviewing these individuals, we aim to bring their unique family histories to the forefront, showcasing their profound impact on our collective history in Oklahoma. This project not only highlights the struggles and triumphs of the Freedmen but also emphasizes the importance of community engagement in honoring their legacy.”
The Oklahoma Heritage Preservation Grant Program awarded more than $577,000 to 40 projects statewide this year, supporting initiatives such as collections care, exhibit development, strategic planning and educational programming.
“The Oklahoma Heritage Preservation Grant Program is a powerful tool for connecting communities with their history,” said Trait Thompson, executive director of the Oklahoma Historical Society. “These grants help local organizations preserve and share stories that might otherwise be lost, strengthening our shared identity and ensuring that future generations can experience Oklahoma’s rich heritage.”
The grant program supports tribal and municipal governments and not-for-profit historical organizations throughout the state. Awards range from $1,000 to $25,000 for projects that advance the collection, preservation and sharing of Oklahoma history. Applications for the next grant cycle will open this fall. For more information, visit okhistory.org/grants.
The mission of the Oklahoma Historical Society is to collect, preserve and share the history and culture of the state of Oklahoma and its people. Founded in 1893 by members of the Territorial Press Association, the OHS maintains museums, historic sites and affiliates across the state. Through its research archives, exhibits, educational programs and publications, the OHS chronicles the rich history of Oklahoma. For more information about the OHS, please visit okhistory.org.
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