The Future of Our Past
The OKPOP Foundation has officially completed the $18 million Heart & Soul Campaign, and the State Treasurer has now approved and certified the pledges, releasing the state’s matching funds. This milestone marks the beginning of OKPOP’s next chapter: exhibit design, fabrication, and the build-out of Oklahoma’s first museum dedicated to the global creative impact of its people.
Hello Friends and Potential Donors,
“You know, this whole campaign wasn’t just about raising $18 million – it was about backing a mission that means something. OKPOP is here to celebrate the crazy amount of creativity that comes out of Oklahoma, to tell the stories of the folks who shaped music, film, and art, and to fire up the next generation to chase their own big dreams. The way people showed up to support this blows me away. Oklahoma should be proud of what’s coming.”
Honorary Campaign Chair
We connected with Tulsa guitarist and craftsman Johnny Beard for an interview about his creative journey, from learning flamenco in Spain to building guitars, cajóns, fire bellows, saddles, and more. He shared how a love of making by hand and a deep respect for tradition have shaped both his work and his music. He also spoke about the joy of sharing that passion with his daughter, performing flamenco together as a family band, and helping grow a vibrant flamenco community here in Oklahoma.
#OKPOP #JohnnyBeard #TulsaMusic #Flamenco #OklahomaCreatives
It was an epic day at the Capitol with our friends at the Oklahoma Film + Music Office, celebrating Oklahoma creativity and the people helping shape what comes next.
From film to music to storytelling, days like this are a reminder that Oklahoma’s creative spirit is alive, growing, and worth championing. We’re grateful to stand alongside so many who believe in the power of art, culture, and community to move our state forward.
#OKPOP #OklahomaFilm #OklahomaMusic #CreativeEconomy #OklahomaCreatives
We recently connected with historian, author, and cultural storyteller Derrick E.D. Smith Jr., also known as Young Black Mayor, for an OKPOP oral history interview.
From Lawton to Tatums, Derrick’s journey has been shaped by a deep commitment to uncovering, sharing, and preserving Oklahoma’s Black history. Through his work as a history influencer, author, and speaker, he has helped bring greater visibility to the legacy of Oklahoma’s historically all-Black towns and the people, places, and stories that continue to shape our state.
Our conversation explored Black self-governance, land ownership, rodeo and cowboy culture, early Black filmmaking in Oklahoma, and the enduring impact of figures like Bass Reeves, Bill Pickett, Sarah Rector, and Ralph Ellison.
What began as grassroots research and community outreach has grown into a powerful platform for public history, connecting elders and younger generations through stories that deserve to be remembered, shared, and carried forward.
🎥 This interview will become part of the Oklahoma Historical Society archive and help shape future OKPOP exhibit storytelling.
#OKPOP #YoungBlackMayor #BlackHistory #OklahomaHistory #Storytelling @youngblackmayor
It was an honor to connect with Yjes Rondi of Barkingham Palace.
Oklahoma has always had a DIY spirit. It’s a place shaped by people who built community, culture, and creative life from the ground up. In garages, basements, dance halls, living rooms, and borrowed spaces, people here have long made something meaningful out of what they had.
That same spirit lives in Barkingham Palace.
Through Yjes’ work, DIY becomes more than a music scene. It becomes a space for belonging, mentorship, safety, and creative freedom. Always free. Always all ages. A place where people can show up as they are, learn from each other, and help build something together.
At OKPOP, we believe stories like this matter because they reflect a bigger Oklahoma truth: creativity here has often been community-built, resourceful, and deeply human.
Because culture isn’t just what we consume. It’s what we create together.
#OKPOP #TulsaMusic #DIYCulture #OklahomaCreatives #CommunityBuilt @barkinghampalacetulsa
Remembering Rockin’ John Henry on his birthday today.
Born 4-4-44, John David Henry became one of Tulsa’s great champions of rock ’n’ roll and blues. A Sapulpa native, he built a lasting legacy through programs like Saturday Bandstand and Smokehouse Blues, sharing deep musical knowledge, spotlighting Tulsa-area artists, and helping keep the spirit of early rock, R&B, and blues alive for generations of listeners. He was once known as “Tulsa’s oldest teenager,” and told his audience, “Stay with rock ’n’ roll, and you’ll stay young forever.” 
From the airwaves to live performance with The Bop Cats, Rockin’ John Henry helped shape Oklahoma’s music culture in a way that still resonates today. We’re remembering his voice, his passion, and the joy he brought to so many. Happy birthday to a true Oklahoma original. 
#RockinJohnHenry #TulsaMusic #OklahomaMusic #OKPOP
We recently connected with Tulsa-born musician, producer, songwriter, and composer James McAlister for an OKPOP oral history video interview.
From playing drums in church and marching with Broken Arrow Pride… to building a home studio in a closet with a drum machine and four-track… to collaborating with artists like Sufjan Stevens, Aaron Dessner, Taylor Swift, and Beck… James’s journey is a powerful reminder that creativity often starts small, personal, and close to home.
Over the past 15+ years, his work has spanned touring, production, film scoring, and studio collaboration… often created quietly, thoughtfully, and sometimes even top secret from his own home studio.
At the heart of it all is a simple throughline:
a love of music, a commitment to craft, and a willingness to grow over time.
As James shared with us:
“Do as much as you can do… be good, be nice… pursue excellence and precision… and don’t be discouraged if it takes decades.”
That’s the Oklahoma story.
That’s the creative journey.
🎥 This interview will become part of the Oklahoma Historical Society archive and help shape future OKPOP exhibit storytelling.
#OKPOP #TulsaMusic #OklahomaCreatives #OralHistory #CreativeJourney @900x
Celebrating Leon Russell on his birthday today. Born April 2, 1942, in Lawton and raised in Tulsa, Leon helped shape the sound of Oklahoma and far beyond. Today we’re grateful to celebrate his legacy with our friends at @tulsa.architecture @historicbig10ballroom and @thechurchstudio
Tonight’s TFA Tulsa Music History Crawl explores the spaces where Leon created music and helped shape Tulsa’s vibrant sound, with check-in at the Big 10 Ballroom from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. The self-guided experience highlights places connected to his story, including the Big 10 Ballroom, OKPOP Archives, and The Church Studio. 
Leon’s story is one of Oklahoma imagination, grit, and world-changing artistry. We’re proud to help preserve and share that legacy. Happy birthday to the Master of Space and Time. 
#OKPOP #LeonRussell #TulsaSound #OklahomaMusic #tulsa
After years of celebrating pop culture,
we decided to make some of our own.
Introducing OKPOP Soda.
Light carbonation.
Mild flavor.
A completely acceptable experience.
It’s not amazing.
It’s not terrible.
It’s just… OK-POP.
Donate
Your charitable donation directly contributes to OKPOP’s future, we are grateful for your support! Donations to support the OKPOP Museum may be made to the OKPOP Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Donations are tax deductible as allowed by law.
Donations may be made through the secure online donation form or mailed to:
OKPOP Foundation
422 North Main Street
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74103
If you have questions about additional gifting options, please contact Abby Kurin at akurin@okpopfoundation.org
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