TULSA -- Tulsa city leaders are taking a step toward solving issues in the African American community.
Partnering with the City of Tulsa, the African American Affairs Commission had its orientation Friday at City Hall.
More than 20 members of different organizations and community leaders are now a part the commission.
Vanessa Hill-Harper, District 1 City Councilor said, “Our challenge would be to engage, to identify the issues and concerns that we need to address and to get them addressed.”
Next to building better relationships with law enforcement, one of the commission’s main priorities is education
Hill-Harper said, “Most of the failing schools that are in Tulsa Public Schools are in the predominately African American neighborhoods.”
That’s why Darryl Bright, founder of Citizens United For a Better Educational System or “CUBES” is one of the commissioners.
Bright said, “Historically, we found that the cultural component and the learning styles of African American children have really not been incorporated in the curriculums and in the instruction deliveries the way they should.”
He hopes to gain resources through other members to help solve some of the issues African American students face in Tulsa’s education system.
Bright explained, “There is this inextricable connection between in school and out of school. They both impact the other. We have to understand how we as educators, as a school system takes that into account.”
He added, “We have to develop a voice that says this is what we want for our children. I think the individuals on the commission have a story to tell and have information that we may not be privy to or ideas.”
The commission’s regular monthly meetings are set to begin in January.
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