By Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy CEO Joe Dorman
OKLAHOMA CITY – This past week was a time of recovery for all who played a part in the 10th Annual OICA Heroes Ball.
More than 400 people attended to celebrate the champions for children honored at the event. The room was filled with people from all backgrounds, retired and active child advocates representing many organizations, past and current elected officials who we are pleased to work with through mutual endeavors, and individuals who all share a drive to help Oklahoma’s children.
Our keynote panel was a treat. The NAACP Youth Council, under the tutelage of civil rights icon Clara Luper in the 1950s and 60s, led the way for desegregation in Oklahoma City and started a movement that changed a nation.
On August 19, News 9 in Oklahoma City and News on 6 in Tulsa will air a special by Bobbie Miller honoring their efforts on the anniversary of the sit-in. Hosting many of the living participants and the members of their Legacy Committee was an honor for OICA.
We also heard from our other award winners, which included Labor Commissioner Leslie Osborn, who will finish her time in office in January; she is a key partner, working with OICA to protect child labor laws in our state.
The family of the late U.S. Sen. Fred Harris joined us, allowing us to remember the senator’s many works in both Oklahoma and New Mexico, along with his leadership in Washington, D.C.
The family and coworkers of Carmelita Skeeter helped us recognize and celebrate her 50th year with Indian Healthcare Resource Center of Tulsa, a remarkable accomplishment for a true leader in her field.
Pivot, an Oklahoma City nonprofit which leads efforts to curb homelessness for young people in the metro area, received our organizational award. We are pleased to continue working with them to elevate policies to help reduce the unhoused population.
We also announced the winners of our Anne Roberts People’s Choice Award for individuals and organizations. Anne was our longest serving executive director and a recognized leader nationally in children’s policy work.
Trisha Koelsch from Calm Waters was the individual people’s choice award winner and Hearts for Hearing was our organizational selection by the more than 17,000 Oklahomans who voted. In truth, all 13 finalists are exceptional, and we appreciate each of them for allowing us to help elevate their work through this competition.
Individuals who donated auction items for our live auction, silent auction, and our game prizes were very generous this year. I had the winning bid on the dinner with Mark Rodgers of the Sports Animal and KOCO Sports; I am looking forward to discussing all things in Oklahoma sports with him and some of my friends at the Goat Sports Bar in Bricktown.
We also auctioned off dinner with Inzinga and Spinozi from the Sports Animal at Bush League Sports Tavern, and a lunch with Barry Switzer at Midway Deli and four suite tickets to an OU Football game donated by Dr. Martin Lopez.
This is just a small sampling of the graciousness of our donors. We have a listing of all our sponsors who allowed us to brag about them on our website and our social media accounts for the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy. You will also be able to view the video segments prepared by our intern about each of our award winners there.
I especially want to thank our staff, board members, youth governors and volunteers who made the event our best yet. Their hard work preparing and breaking down after was appreciated. Thanks also to my former legislative colleague, Don Armes, for serving as our auctioneer and Randy Cassimus for playing music and recording our keynote so others will be able to hear their story online.
Team OICA appreciates all who made our event a success! Please mark your calendars for the final Saturday in July 2027 for our next gala.
