African American History & Culture in Oklahoma

Delve into Oklahoma’s African American history from pre-statehood to the Civil Rights movement while exploring the landmarks, historic towns and museums that provide endless opportunities for discovery. Oklahoma’s African American journey is tightly woven into the historical fabric of Oklahoma. Here, learn about the profound impact African Americans have had on the state’s military, frontier, Western and modern history. Learn more by visiting the Seminole Nation Museum for a collection of documents relating to Black Seminoles in the museum’s research library. Learn of J. Coody Johnson (1864-1927), one of the most prominent African American attorneys practicing in Oklahoma. He was born north of present Wewoka and was the grandson of a slave belonging to William McIntosh, the great Coweta chief of the Creek Nation. He was esteemed by Creek and Seminole as “the Black Panther.” He was intimately familiar with the language, laws, and customs of the Creek and Seminole. Learn of The Black Seminoles or Afro-Seminoles are black Indians associated with the Seminole people in Florida and Oklahoma. They are mostly blood descendants of the Seminole people, free blacks and of escaped slaves who allied with Seminole groups in Spanish Florida.