OSU-Tulsa Campus Event Prioritizes Health During Tulsa Juneteenth

Residents of Tulsa’s Greenwood District are joining those across the country in observing Juneteenth.

In addition to the live music, vendors, and food, some Tulsans spent the federal holiday working to build a healthier future.

Organizers of Saturday's "Black Health Counts" at the OSU-Tulsa campus said the event was part of a larger health education initiative.

“We are talking about mental health, physical health, social health, criminal justice health, economic health,” Jeremiah Watts said. “We are talking about housing health.”

Watts, who works for Families With Sickle Cell Disease, said this was the first year his group joined with Tulsa Juneteenth. The event featured a panel discussion and offered everything from health screenings to COVID-19 and antibody testing in addition to free vaccinations.

The Oklahoma Caring Foundation also took part in the event by providing COVID-19 vaccinations.

“It’s important for African Americans and everyone to get the shot,” caring van specialist Andrea Oguinn said.

James Speegle received his first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine Saturday.

“Putting it off for a while, always busy for work and life and just never got around to getting it,” Speegle said.

Watts said he hopes the focus on health stays in people's minds beyond the holiday.

“I’m happy. I enjoyed it a great deal,” Watts said. “Our vendors had a lot of people that came to their tables.”

The Oklahoma Caring Foundation is still providing vaccinations through their mobile clinics.

If you would like more information on how to get a COVID-19 vaccine, click here.