Continuing to Celebrate Community
- Shakiya Morris
- Apr 14
- 2 min read
Honoring the Past, Building Our Future: Dunbar Heights and CPN's Powerful Partnership
By: S. Morris
Dunbar Heights, a historically Black community in Shawnee, Oklahoma, is writing a new chapter—one rooted in unity, shared history, and collective progress. Over the past year, a powerful partnership has emerged between Dunbar Heights and the Citizen Potawatomi Nation (CPN), sparking meaningful conversations, cultural celebrations, and a joint commitment to community uplift.
While our communities have distinct cultural identities, we share a deep, intertwined history shaped by resilience, land, and legacy. This partnership is about more than symbolic gestures—it's about restoration, relationship-building, and acknowledging that the path forward must be walked together.
In a region where both Black and Native communities have faced displacement and disenfranchisement, the collaboration between Dunbar Heights and CPN marks a significant moment of recognition and reconciliation. It’s not just about commemorating the past—it’s about envisioning a more inclusive and supportive future.
During 2022 Juneteenth events, we witnessed firsthand how powerful it can be when people come together with open hearts and shared goals. What began as a series of meetings and conversations turned into a celebration of culture, strength, and pride. Residents from both communities gathered not just to remember the past, but to dream boldly about what’s possible. That momentum has only grown stronger.
Community-driven projects from the Love Your Block Team with collaborative efforts from community to bridge the gap with the city included initiatives like neighborhood clean-ups, beautification efforts, and plans for improved infrastructure—including lighting, green space, and youth programming—are now in motion. These initiatives were guided by a mutual understanding: when one of us thrives, we all benefit.
The partnership has also sparked wider engagement. Elders, youth, and longtime residents are stepping into leadership roles, reclaiming their voices and shaping what the future of Dunbar Heights will look like. With the support and allyship of CPN, the people of Dunbar are forging ahead—confident, unified, and grounded in a vision that honors both history and hope.
This is what community looks like.
This is what it means to unify Dunbar.
Let this be a reminder: partnerships rooted in equity and authenticity are not only possible—they’re powerful. As we continue to grow this relationship with the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, we invite other communities, organizations, and individuals to join us. The work ahead isn’t easy, but it’s meaningful. And we believe in the strength of collaboration.
Together, we’re not just preserving the legacy of Dunbar Heights—we’re building a future worthy of it. To read more on this historic event. Click Here.
To Sponsor our 2025 Juneteenth event
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