The Clara Luper Freedom Center in Oklahoma City has unveiled a new exhibit, ‘Inside These Walls: The History of the Freedom Center,’ showcasing the legacy of Oklahoma City’s civil rights movement and the efforts that helped end segregation.

Civil Rights Leader Clara Luper

The Freedom Center, once the headquarters for Oklahoma City’s NAACP Youth Council, was led by civil rights leader Clara Luper. She and her students organized peaceful sit-ins and demonstrations, including the historic 1958 Katz Drugstore sit-in.

The exhibit features items from the Freedom Center archive and the Oklahoma Historical Society, with funding provided in part by the Oklahoma Humanities Council. Each wall in the exhibit tells a unique story about the people, protests, and determination that shaped the movement.

Christina Beatty, executive director of the Freedom Center, highlighted the significance of the building’s history. ‘We want people to understand the significance of this building… so much happened here for over 40 years… and we just want people to understand the significance of this historic location,’ Beatty said.

The Freedom Center continues to serve as an educational hub, preserving the stories and legacy of those who fought for civil rights in Oklahoma City.

Original reporting: Oklahoma City News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.