City of Enid Ward 2 Commissioner Derwood Norwood spoke for Black History Month at Northern Oklahoma College Enid Wednesday at the Gantz Center.
Norwood started his talk joking that he took a long time, about 10 years, to earn an associate’s degree at NOC but added, “I hope people realize that if you don’t give up, you can accomplish anything. It’s not about the amount of time, it’s about the perseverance and the willingness to succeed by not giving up.”
“I didn’t get up here today to offend anyone but I did get up here to tell you the truth,” he said. “No one should be offended by something you are not responsible for. It’s our responsibility to be the best we can be today and also for tomorrow.”
Norwood discussed the Black History Month National Theme for 2025 is “African Americans and Labor.” He discussed their contributions, the impact of education, and their contributions.
“African Americans played a significant part of the labor movement by advocating for higher wages, job security, and working conditions. The theme for this year emphasizes the profound ways that work and interact with the collective experience of black individuals highlighting their contributions.”
He added that the African American work experience has been often under harsh working conditions that would shape the labor movement and reflect on the history of those conditions.
Norwood said that African Americans are Americans of African descent adding that his specific DNA shows he is from 14 different nations and ethnicities other than Nigerian.
“Science has proven that we are not just descendants of Africa but of many ethnicities,” he said. “And science has also proven through DNA that we were all created by God, often and after his likeness and after God’s own image. We are all derived from two people, Adam and Eve, and after the days of Noah, eight souls were saved walking from that great ark.”
“Since then, we have labored to transform what we know as civilization today,” he said. “The key element that keeps us divided in laboring for equality to fight against systematic racism is driven simply by fear. We fear what we don’t understand and we fear the unknown.”
“It’s time that we come together and that we persevere over this theme that alienates and divides us, called fear,” he added.
“We are all the children of God, no matter how you look, no matter what your dialect, no matter how you formulate your words, no matter how they may sound, we are all God’s children. We are the human race, that’s who we are. When we fight against one, we fight against ourselves because of the fear of the unknown. We are truly a melting pot,” he added.
Norwood then gave examples of Africans who made contributions in labor including those who provided labor without pay saying that million slaves from Africa were transported all over the world from saying that many died in the name of hatred and greed.
Norwood’s answer as to why this happened is, “When you turn your back on God, God will turn his back on you. It seems today we are turning our backs on God and I fear God will turn his back on us.”
Norwood then talked about Benjamin Banneker, an African American social activist in the 1700’s who helped survey and design Washington, DC. He also designed what we know now as the “American Clock,” and later became an architect, engineer, almanac creator, and astronomer. He added that Banneker would use his influence to create social change in his day.
“I owe it to our ancestors who were not allowed a choice,” he said. “I owe it to them to keep the doors of opportunity open with God’s help. Education is important, our future depends on it. It’s not just a sheet of paper but a lifelong achievement.”
NOC Vice President for Enid Jeremy Hise provided a gift to Norwood saying, “I appreciate you being here today, what a fantastic message and thank you for your leadership. The City of Enid, Northern Oklahoma College, and our students have directly benefited from your leadership. You have worked directly with our students for many years now through the ‘Day of Kindness’ program in Enid and we thank you again for your work in our community.”
College president Diana Morris Watkins added, “We are so proud to call you (Norwood) an NOC alum and thank you for speaking truth in the room. We always appreciate hearing truth.”
She also thanked NOC instructor Dr. Mary Ann McCoy for her work in bringing these programs to Northern Oklahoma College.
Norwood currently serves on the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission, President of Chisholm Trail Metropolitan Planning Organization, Community Development Services Agency, Enid Noon Ambucs, Community Development Block Grant President, and City of Housing Study Committee.
He formerly served on the City of Enid Walk of Fame Commission and City of Enid Sales Tax Revenue Commission.
Attendees were treated to a Soul Food lunch prepared by Great Western Dining Service, Inc., NOC’s food service. The lunch was funded by anonymous NOC donors.
Northern Oklahoma College, the state’s first public two-year community college, is a multi-campus, land-grant institution that provides high quality, accessible, and affordable educational opportunities and services.
NOC serves nearly 4,000 students through the home campus in Tonkawa, branch in Enid, and NOC/OSU Gateway Program in Stillwater. Of these students about 80% receive financial aid and/or scholarships. 75% of NOC students complete their degree with zero debt.
The college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and offers associate degrees in three general areas: Arts, Science and Applied Science; the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs; and the Accreditation Commission for Education and Nursing.
For more information about Northern Oklahoma College please call (580) 628-6208 or visit the NOC website at www.noc.edu.
