The story of Focus: Black Oklahoma began in 2018 when writer, educator, and community advocate Quraysh Ali Lansana recognized a significant gap in Oklahoma's media landscape. While many important stories were being told, there was no regularly scheduled broadcast dedicated to exploring the experiences, perspectives, and issues impacting historically underserved communities across the state. Determined to help fill that void, Lansana pitched the idea to the Tulsa Artist Fellowship. When he was awarded the fellowship, Focus: Black Oklahoma became his fellowship project and the foundation for what would grow into one of Oklahoma's most impactful public affairs programs.

​

Produced by Tri-City Collective in collaboration with KOSU, Focus: Black Oklahoma aired its first episode in February 2020. Since day one, the program has provided a platform for meaningful conversations about news, politics, education, arts, history, health, culture, and the issues that shape life in Oklahoma. Broadcast monthly on NPR affiliates KOSU and KWGS, the program serves as a catalyst for awareness, understanding, and progress by amplifying voices and stories that are often overlooked. Each episode not only reaches listeners across the airwaves but is also archived as a podcast, creating a permanent and accessible record of these important conversations for audiences everywhere.

 

Today, Focus: Black Oklahoma is the flagship project of Tri-City Collective and remains a powerful example of community-centered storytelling. One of the program's most unique features is its commitment to citizen journalism. Through ongoing training and mentorship, Focus: Black Oklahoma recruits and develops correspondents from a wide range of backgrounds, proving that a passion for storytelling and community engagement is often more important than formal journalism experience. By equipping community members with the tools to tell their own stories, the program continues to expand representation in media while building a new generation of storytellers.

 

Over the years, Focus: Black Oklahoma has earned numerous awards and accolades, but its greatest achievement is the trust it has built with listeners and communities across the state. The program continues to shine a light on important issues, foster meaningful dialogue, and preserve stories that might otherwise go untold. As it grows, Focus: Black Oklahoma remains committed to its founding vision: ensuring that the full range of Oklahoma's voices, experiences, and perspectives are heard, valued, and remembered.

​

The program broadcasts monthly on KOSU and KWGS, both National Public Radio affiliates. KOSU airs every third Sunday at 3 p.m. and the following Friday at 1 p.m. on 91.7 FM in Oklahoma City, 107.3 and 107.5 FM in Tulsa, 88.3 FM in Stillwater, 94.9 FM in Ponca City, and on KOSU.org.

​​

KWGS airs the fourth Thursday of the month at 12 p.m. and the fourth Friday at 8 p.m. on 89.5 FM in Tulsa and publicradiotulsa.org.