Kristi Williams
Kristi Williams, also known as Orisabiyi, is a descendant of Creek Freedmen, tracing her lineage to 1874 Supreme Court Justice Jesse Franklin of the Muscogee Creek Nation. Additionally, she has ancestral ties to the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, with her great aunt Janie Edwards experiencing the tragic event firsthand at the Dreamland Theater. As the founder of Black History Saturdays, Williams established a school dedicated to teaching Black history in response to Oklahoma legislation restricting its curriculum in public schools. She is a prominent community activist, Greenwood advocate, political consultant and executive assistant to her pastor Keith R Mayes, Sr. of Historic Vernon A.M.E. Church in Greenwood. Williams has been instrumental in various initiatives, including serving as campaign manager for Tulsa District 1 City Councilor Vanessa Hall Harper, program manager for Fitting Back In Tulsa with World Won Development, and consultant for Standpipe Hill Strategies—initiating the Standpipe Hill Homebuyers Program in 2022 which facilitated homeownership for numerous individuals. Williams serves in an advisory role for National Geographic Society’s geography education work in Oklahoma and is a former chairperson of the Greater Tulsa African American Affairs Commission. She has received numerous awards for her impactful contributions, including "Community Activist of The Year" and the "Community Spirit Award” and is recognized for her advocacy work in documentaries, panel discussions, and national media outlets, amplifying the narratives of marginalized communities. Beyond her activism, Williams enjoys traveling, reading, gardening and acrylic painting. She aspires to create a lasting legacy through storytelling and hopes to inspire others to join her in leaving a positive imprint on the world. Williams is a recipient of the 2024 Wayfinder Award presented by Kia.
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The folks have done an amazing job making sure young people can not only engage in history but also give it context for what it means today.
Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols, quoted by KJRH on Black History Saturdays’
Just participated in a workshop called “Adultification of Black Girls” with Black History Saturdays hosted by Kristi Williams and I’m blown away ..... it’s a conversation that’s not had enough! Grateful for the opportunity and organizations like Oklahoma Birth Equity Initiative that offers learning opportunities such as this!
Ebony Jones
As a leader of a birth equity organization, I felt it was vital for the team of Oklahoma Birth Equity Initiative to understand the back story that has built a need for our services. Only through understanding history can we unpack the reason why Black women are more than 3x likely to die in America in 2025. Black History Saturdays Workshops has helped the team dive deeper in their own understanding testing their boundaries both professionally and personally.
Omare Jimmerson