Oklahoma's Soulful Story

Oklahoma’s Soulful Story offers travelers insight into the history of African-Americans in our state. Take a Soulful Story journey and hear stories of how African-Americans came to this region on the Trail of Tears as slaves of the Indian tribes or as cowboys, settlers, gunfighters, Buffalo Soldiers and farmers. By statehood in 1907, they outnumbered both Indians and first and second generation Europeans in Oklahoma. More all-black towns were created in Oklahoma than in the rest of the country put together. Soulful Stories highlights our rich jazz history, artisans, writers and poets. Oklahoma’s Soulful Story also includes soul food restaurants around the state, and events including several all-black rodeos and Juneteenth celebrations.