Oklahoma Hall of Fame's "Oklahoma Originals" Partners with OKCPS to Share Ralph Ellison's Story
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oklahoma Hall of Fame provides free educational program to all OKCPS third grade students.
October 23, 2025
OKLAHOMA CITY - OCTOBER 23, 2025: The Oklahoma Hall of Fame has partnered with Oklahoma City Public Schools (OKCPS) to bring the Oklahoma Originals program to every third grade student this school year, reaching more than 2,400 students in the Oklahoma City metro area between September 2025 and May 2026. The Oklahoma Originals program tells the story of an Oklahoma Hall of Fame Member through free history lessons, art activities, and books. The collaboration is part of OKCPS's focus on community relations and partnerships, and it supports OKCPS's goals of ensuring foundational literacy remains a top priority, increasing reading proficiency and promoting equitable access to fine arts.
The current Oklahoma Originals program is supported by grants from the Sarkeys Foundation and Allied Arts and features Ralph Waldo Ellison, a legendary Black author and winner of the National Book Award. Ellison was an Oklahoma City native best known for his novel Invisible Man. Students learn about segregation and civil rights in Oklahoma while exploring the music and art that inspired Ellison's writing. Oklahoma Teaching Artist Mariana Llanos leads students in an art activity, encouraging them to write a poem and create a pastel masterpiece using provided supplies. As part of the program, each student receives a children's biography on Ralph Ellison written by Oklahoma author Quraysh Ali Lansana, and teachers receive free classroom supplies.
“Oklahoma Originals is unique because it's focus is solely outreach," said Jorge Chavez, Manager of Program Outreach at the Oklahoma Hall of Fame. "Teachers do not have to put in the extra planning or travel time, and the lessons connect directly to Oklahoma education standards while also filling the need for art programming."
Past programs have featured actor and civic leader Will Rogers and biomedical researcher and artist Jordan Tang. In addition to schools, Oklahoma Originals travels to libraries and community centers across the state. The Ralph Ellison Library, part of the Oklahoma City Metropolitan Library System, will host an Oklahoma Originals program featuring Te Ata, a famous Native American story teller and performing artist, on November 8 at 2:00 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. Details can be found at: https://www.metrolibrary.org/event/oklahoma-originals-te-ata-550632.
For Oklahoma Originals program availability and additional information, contact Jorge Chavez at jc@oklahomahof.com.
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ABOUT OKLAHOMA CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS: Oklahoma City Public Schools (OKCPS) is a multi-cultural district serving approximately 33,000 students. Our students are educated throughout 31 elementary schools, 14 middle schools, 8 high schools, 4 alternative schools and 7 charter schools located within 135.5 square miles in the center of Oklahoma. For more information, visit www.okcps.org.
ABOUT THE OKLAHOMA HALL OF FAME: Founded in 1927, the Oklahoma Hall of Fame tells Oklahoma’s story through its people. From diverse statewide programming to the historic Gaylord-Pickens Museum, the organization creates an enhanced sense of pride for all Oklahomans. The Oklahoma Hall of Fame was created to honor extraordinary Oklahomans and to provide educational programming for students of all ages. Induction to the Oklahoma Hall of Fame is recognized as Oklahoma’s Highest Honor. For more information, visit www.oklahomahof.com.
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