History Center presents black town event

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – The Oklahoma History Center will host an event titled "Black Towns Then … Black Towns Now" to explore the rise of the all-black towns in Oklahoma in the 19th century and their unique history.

The June 30 panel discussion will also be the public’s last chance to see the Coltrane Group’s exhibit titled "Colored Memories: Historic Colorized Photos of Life in ‘The Crown Jewel."’ The event is free.

The moderator for the panel discussion will be state Rep. George Young of Oklahoma City. Panelists will include a mixture of all-black town government representatives and scholars. The panelists will discuss the opportunities and challenges that these towns face.

Leaders and scholars will also share why these villages lost population in the mid-20th century and what is happening in the towns now.