Press Releases

OIC Bourbon Event Planned

Sipping for a Cause

(posted May 24, 2023)

Oklahoma City, OK – Opportunities Industrialization Center of Oklahoma County, Inc. (OIC), prepares for its annual jazz night, Bourbon on the Roof w/OIC, set for Thursday July 27 the  from 7pm – 10pm. Event will be hosted on the rooftop of Capital View Event Center, 5201 N. Lincoln Blvd, Oklahoma City.

Bourbon on the Roof w/OIC, is promoted as “a chill night out for adults, featuring a cool jazz situation, a cash bar, great view and incredible raffles. OIC plans a signature drink made with Bourbon, and music will be provided local band, Bruce Benson and Studio B.”

“With the taste of bourbon in the air the primary purpose of the event is to support the work of OIC and have a good time. For 57 years OIC has been dedicated to serving Oklahoma City through education and training initiatives for adults”, says
DesJean Jones, Executive Director.

Tickets are $40 in advance and can be purchased online at oicokc.org, on Eventbrite, or in person at OIC located at 3033 N. Walnut Ave., Building East, Oklahoma City.

Tickets will be $45 at the door. Three Sponsorship/VIP levels are available:

(Sponsorship/VIP includes Premium Seating, Table Service, and Mic Recognition at the event)

  • Makers Mark Level - $750 (10 seats, 10 drink tickets, Premium Seating, Table Service, Marketing and Mic Time)
  • Elijah Craig Level - $500 (10 seats, Premium Seating and Table Service)
  • Wild Turkey Level - $250 (4 seats, Premium Seating and Table Service)

“Our goal is to raise $10,000 for OIC programs. Educating adults throughout Oklahoma County creates generational impact, and we ask for the support of OIC”, says DesJean Jones, Executive Director.

About OIC
Founded in 1964 by the Rev. Dr. Leon H. Sullivan and established in Oklahoma City by Dr. Charles Atkins in 1966, the OIC of Oklahoma County is an affiliate of OICs of America and OIC International.  The organization’s mission is to inspire and motivate adult learners through academic and career education. Classes are designed to prepare adult residents for 360-degree life management--academics, skills training, reading/literacy, and day-to-day living.

# # #

One in five Oklahoma City Adults Can’t Read – Tutors Needed
Posted September 20, 2022

Oklahoma City, OK – OIC of Oklahoma County (OIC) will host training sessions for those who wish to work with low-level readers, non-reading adults or those interested in English as a second language.

Many of us take reading for granted, finding pleasure in reading a good book or helping our children negotiate their education.  Unfortunately, there are 93 million adults in the United States that find the written word intimidating and challenging.

An estimated 1 in 5 adults in Oklahoma County have below basic literacy skills, “said Blair Lanning, OIC’s Community Literacy Coordinator.  This means they are unable to read street signs, fill out job applications or understand medication labels.  Adequate reading skills are vital in today’s society.  Adults with minimal reading abilities often find it difficult to find employment, follow directions on labels and forms, or read to their children.

“My tutor has helped me to comprehend what I read.  I’ve increased my vocabulary too and read to my kids 20 minutes every day.  Meeting with my tutor has given me more confidence in taking the high school diploma test.  I’m scheduled to take the test this week and I am ready”, says Michelle, OIC one-to-one adult learner and high school diploma prep student.  Michelle has been meeting with her tutor once a week, working on comprehension, reading, and writing.

OIC Literacy tutors and students meet once a week at a public location and work for an hour or more.  Short-term and long-term tutoring options are available.  If you are interested in attending the tutor training workshop in-person at OIC on November 5 and 12, 2022 (9:00 am to 1:00 pm) with a virtual session held on November 19 (10:00 am-12:00 pm) you may register by calling 405.235.2651 or email Blair Lanning at blanning@oicokc.org.  All sessions required. Seating is limited so register today.

“We are in a great need for tutors, specifically math and reading tutors,” says DesJean Jones, Executive Director.  If you want to invest in someone’s future, call today.  We need you!

About OIC

Founded in 1964 by the Rev. Dr. Leon H. Sullivan and established in Oklahoma City by Dr. Charles Atkins in 1966, the OIC of Oklahoma County is an affiliate of OICs of America and OIC International.  The organization’s mission is to inspire and motivate adult learners through academic and career education. Classes are designed to prepare adult residents for 360-degree life management--academics, skills training, reading/literacy, and day-to-day living. The agency is located at 3033 N. Walnut Avenue, Building East.  (www.oicokc.org)

# # #

OIC Prepares for Annual Gala Celebration!
Celebrating 55 Years of Serving OKC
Posted October 5, 2021
_
Oklahoma City, OK - The Opportunities Industrialization Center of Oklahoma County, Inc. (OIC) will gather for OIC Gala 2021, an evening of celebration and support for 55 years of serving OKC! The OIC Gala 2021 is set for Thursday, October 28, 2021, from 6:30pm – 10pm. Hosted at OSU Discovery, 300 N. 9th Street, the Baker Hughes Building.
Themed Night at the Oscars, OIC Gala 2021, will be an elegant red carpet, paparazzi filled evening that will include an auction, raffles, cocktails, dinner, networking, and stories of triumph and celebration by adult learners. Video greetings and performance by OIC’s Celebrity Ambassador, and Lead singer of the legendary R&B group The Manhattans, Mr. Gerald Alston will be featured. Music for the evening will be by Positive Productions Band. Type of dress is fun formal. Individual tickets are $65 per person, with various levels of sponsorships available.
“The OIC Gala is an inspiring and motivating event. It is a very fine display of everything OIC does for adult learners and the community”, says Blair Lanning, Manager of Outreach and recruitment.
For tickets or sponsorships, visit: www.oic.ticketleap.com. For questions or more information, call OIC – Central at (405) 235-2651.
Since 1966, OIC has served more than 41,000 adults in education and training programs in Oklahoma County. The need for OIC programs continues with 30,000 adults in Oklahoma County who do not have a high school diploma. 31% of adults in our state function at basic literacy levels, and 12% function below basic literacy. These statistics result in workers who are unprepared to meet the demands of a changing workforce. OIC programs provide Oklahomans with literacy and education tools that prepare learners to confidently transition to college, career tech, military and the workforce.
About OIC
Founded in 1964 by the Rev. Dr. Leon H. Sullivan and established in Oklahoma City by Dr. Charles Atkins in 1966, the OIC of Oklahoma County is an affiliate of OICs of America and OIC International. The organization’s mission is to inspire and motivate adult learners through academic and career education. Classes are designed to prepare adult residents for 360-degree life management--academics, skills training, reading/literacy, and day-to-day living.
# # #

 

OIC Business Academy Launches Second Cohort

 

Oklahoma City, OK – The Opportunities Industrialization Center of Oklahoma County (OIC), launched the second cohort of the OIC Business Academy on Tuesday, July 20, 2021.  The OIC-BA is funded by the OKC Black Justice Fund, and the second cohort host site is at Centennial Health, at 1720 NE 23rd Street, Oklahoma City.

The OIC-BA is a 12-week comprehensive training academy to teach all components of a business startup.  Cohort members were selected through a competitive interview process.  Eleven businesses were accepted to the program, and must commit to the entire 12-week period, complete homework, and be exposed to workshops and networking events.  Upon successful completion of the OIC-BA, graduates will receive a $500 seed investment for their business.

Subject matter experts will facilitate weekly work sessions, providing each member with the tools to get their business off the couch and into the community.

“The COVID pandemic presented a new opportunity for those who would start Black-owned businesses.  In the current landscape for Oklahoma City this is an exciting time for the OIC Business Academy (OIC-BA).  We are thrilled with the support we have received from the OKC Black Justice Funds, and from so many other corporate sponsors throughout the area”, says DesJean Jones, Executive Director of OIC of Oklahoma County.

OIC seeks to teach the language of success and train others to use the tools required for successful entrepreneurship.  In this manner, wealth creation becomes the building blocks to dismantle racial disparities and inequity for Black-owned businesses.

# # #