OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy (OICA) will mark its 10th Annual Heroes Ball on July 25, celebrating individuals and organizations whose work has strengthened the lives of children and families across Oklahoma. The annual fundraising gala has become a key event for recognizing leaders in child advocacy, public service, health care, youth development, and civil rights.
This year’s ceremony will place special emphasis on the legacy of Clara Luper and the Oklahoma City NAACP Youth Council, whose peaceful protests helped transform civil rights policies in Oklahoma and influenced similar efforts across the United States. OICA will present its Kate Barnard Lifetime Achievement Award posthumously to Luper and the members of the youth council in recognition of their historic contributions.
The honor highlights the significance of the Katz Drug Store sit-in of August 1958, a landmark event organized to challenge racial segregation in Oklahoma City. The protest sparked a series of nonviolent demonstrations that continued for six years and ultimately led to the desegregation of businesses throughout the city. The campaign became an influential model for broader civil rights actions nationwide.
Several participants in the original sit-in, including Marilyn Luper, Joyce Henderson, and Joyce Jackson, are scheduled to take part in a discussion during the Heroes Ball. Their conversation will serve as the evening’s keynote presentation, offering firsthand perspectives on a movement that helped reshape Oklahoma’s history. OICA has also invited all living members of the NAACP Youth Council to attend and be recognized for their role in the civil rights movement.
The lifetime achievement award bears the name of Kate Barnard, Oklahoma’s first female statewide elected official. As Commissioner of Charities and Corrections, Barnard became known for her efforts to improve conditions for children and vulnerable residents, earning a reputation as one of the state’s most influential child advocates.
Awards Highlight Leaders in Advocacy and Public Service
Among the event’s honorees is Carmelita Skeeter, chief executive officer of the Indian Health Care Resource Center of Tulsa (IHCRC), who will receive the Jay Scott Brown Individual Advocate Award.
Skeeter’s connection to IHCRC began in 1976 when she helped survey residents to better understand the health needs of the urban Indian population. She later joined the organization as one of its first four employees and became chief executive officer in 1989. Over nearly five decades, she has played a significant role in expanding health services and improving access to care for Indigenous communities throughout Oklahoma.
The award is named after former OICA Board Chairman Jay Scott Brown, who died in 2022 after dedicating much of his career to youth-focused programs and advocacy initiatives, including service with the Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth.
The Organizational Advocate Award will be presented to Pivot, A Turning Point for Youth, for its decades-long commitment to supporting vulnerable young people. The Oklahoma City-based organization has provided services for more than 50 years, helping children and teenagers facing homelessness, family instability, and other challenges. Its programs include counseling, educational support, vocational services, prevention initiatives, intervention programs, and diversion services designed to keep youth on positive paths.
Oklahoma Labor Commissioner Leslie Osborn will receive the Henry Bellmon Public Servant Award, named after the former Oklahoma governor and U.S. senator. Osborn previously served for ten years in the Oklahoma House of Representatives, where she chaired the influential Appropriations and Budget Committee.
As Labor Commissioner, Osborn has focused on enforcing child labor protections and supporting policies that address issues affecting children and families. Her current term in office is scheduled to conclude in January 2027.
The Laura Boyd Public Servant Award will be presented posthumously to former U.S. Senator Fred Harris. Harris served in the Oklahoma Senate before launching a distinguished career in the U.S. Senate and later running for president in 1972 and 1976.
Throughout his public life, Harris was recognized for his support of civil rights, desegregation efforts, and the rights of Indigenous Americans. Following his time in elected office, he continued advocating for children and families through his work with New Mexico Voices for Children, where he served on the organization’s board until his death in 2024.
The Heroes Ball will be hosted by Haley Hetrick of News 9 and Joleen Chaney, an OICA board member and former KFOR Oklahoma’s News 4 anchor. As the organization celebrates the event’s tenth anniversary, the evening will recognize both historic achievements and ongoing efforts to improve opportunities and outcomes for children across Oklahoma.
