The Loretta Y. Jackson African American Historical Society (LYJAAHS), a 501 (C) 3 not-for-profit organization, in partnership with the Oklahoma Tourism Department’s Soulful Stories: The African American Oklahoma Initiative, will host its 8th Annual Storytelling and Soul Food Evening on Saturday, February 11th at the USAO Ballroom.
This event will help to kick-off the year-long celebration of the 150th Anniversary of the Chisholm Trail and will highlight the accomplishments of Jake Jones (1854-1942). Mr. Jones crossed the Red River following the recently forged Chisholm Trail.
In 1878, Jake Jones, in his early 20s, hired out to the government as a teamster to haul supplies from San Antonio, Texas to Fort Sill, Fort Cobb and Anadarko in Indian Territory.
Jake Jones, a citizen of Chickasha, OK, as interviewed by the Works Progress Administration, Indian-Pioneer History Project for Oklahoma. The storyteller for this event will be Wallace C. Moore, Sr. of Lawton, Okla.
Five generations of Jake Jones’s family are proud to be a part of the City and State of Oklahoma’s celebration of the 150th Anniversary of the Chisholm Trail.
To attend this event, which will feature a delicious Soul Food Meal, tickets can be purchased for a donation of $20 or more. For more information or tickets, please contact Loretta Y. Jackson by phone at 405-224-5297 or by e-mail at lyjaahs3@suddenlink.net.
Photo caption: Loretta Jackson along with 5 generations representing descendants of Jake Jones, celebrated the proclamation honoring the 150th Anniversary of the Chisholm Trail and Jake Jones. Mayor Ross (also pictured) signed the proclamation on January 3rd at the Chickasha Council Meeting.