Christina Beatty
What makes Christina Wildly Capable?
As Executive Director of the Clara Luper Civil Rights Center, Christina is a cultural planner and producer. She cultivates a vibrant community in and around NE OKC by envisioning, developing, producing, and evaluating creative and participatory public programs and experiences.” MAURIANNA ADAMS
What makes you feel proud?
It always feels important for me to share that on my father’s side, I am a fifth generation Oklahoman. His family came here from Kentucky during the land runs, and we still own forty acres in Lincoln County. There are so many similar stories, but families like mine are not who most people picture when they think of Oklahoma. And yet, we’ve been here. Now I’m proud to help institutionalize narratives about our history that have been missing from Oklahoma’s image of itself and from the world’s image of Oklahoma.
Who is the biggest influence in your life? Why?
I’m so grateful to have a circle of peers equally invested in cultivating community and preserving culture. From serving on boards together to walk-and-talks in Booker T. Washington Park and the greatest group chat of all time, there is no substitute for finding true camaraderie with likeminded peers.
What’s been the biggest obstacle in your life so far?
Leaving Chicago after investing seven years into building a life there was hard. Moving back to Oklahoma City was a huge blow psychologically; I had to totally rebuild my concept of self while also stepping into motherhood. I didn’t know yet that what felt like a setback was really the ultimate setup for opportunities I never thought I would have at home.
What’s the single biggest problem you’d like to solve in your community?
Northeast Oklahoma City has been so underinvested for so long that it is attractive and vulnerable to outside developers and investors who are only motivated by profit. It is so critical to engage more people with personal, historical, and cultural connection to the community in the process of its redevelopment. I am extremely proud of the work that NEOKC Renaissance, Inc. is doing in this area.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
Know what you want, or someone else will decide for you.
