OU Law Presents "The Black Freedmen" Black History Program Feb. 24

NORMAN – The history and genealogy of the freedmen and the impact of the Dawes Commission will be the focus of a Black History Program open to the public and scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 24, in the Dick Bell Courtroom at the University College of Law, 300 Timberdell Road in Norman.

The program, "The Black Freedmen," is being presented by the OU College of Law and the Ada Lois Sipuel Fischer Chapter of the Black Law Students Association.

Speakers Marilyn Vann, Descendants of Freedmen Association president, and Ron Graham, Muscogee Creek Indian Freedmen Band president, will also discuss the recent Cherokee Nation Supreme Court ruling that overturned the tribe’s voter-approved amendment to limit tribal citizenship to those with Cherokee ancestry and allowed descendants of African-American slaves held by Cherokees at the time of the Civil War to take advantage of Cherokee Nation membership.

There is no cost or registration required to attend. For additional information and for accommodations based on disability, contact Nathan Williamson at natwill@ou.edu or (940) 781-4801.

For immediate release: 2-14-11

Media contact: Evie Klopp Holzer, (405) 831-0709