Arizona History, the Okemah Community – a reflection on years past, which records the history and rich culture of an African-American community in South East Phoenix. This record is designed to amplify the historical understanding of life in this small community..................
Okemah was an African American Community established in the early 1900’s. It was a beautiful community of great heritage and rich culture. This community was made up of migrants workers from Texas and Oklahoma who traveled across the hot Arizona desert in search of work. It shows a view of life, work, religion and early childhood schooling in this destitute community. Earning a living and building a life was “a struggle” despite the warmth of family love. It was indeed a unique community where honest hard-working men worked endless to care for their families and community. It’s amazing how this small village of people stood together and became a “Community Of Its Own”. Agricultural contractors provided jobs for the families in the community. Black businesses surface to help stimulate the economic growth. The housewives eagerly served on the school PTA to ensure a better future for their children. The community came together spiritually and built the first African American church by hand. A black newspaper circulated to report the rise of this African American Village which was no doubt “A Community Of It’s Own”.
