OKC FRIDAY
Vote Tuesday! The Nichols Hills Bond Election is Tuesday. Be sure to get out and vote! For more on what is ccontained in the issue, see Pages 11-13.
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Vol. 57 No. 22 • One Section • 16 pages • October 6, 2023
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Rachel Holt is new United Way of Central OK president
CUTTING THE RIBBON
- Photo by Rose Lane
Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits founder Pat Potts, President and CEO Marnie Taylor, Centered on Impact Campaign Committee Honorary Co-Chairman Polly Nichols, campaign Co-Chairman Kathy Williams and Honorary Co-Chairman Larry Nichols help cut the ribbon on the center’s new headquarters in the Innovation District. OKC Mayor David Holt is upper left. Sarah Roberts was also a campaign co-chairman. RACHEL HOLT
OCNP opens headquarters in Innovation District By Rose Lane Editor Called a game changer for the nonprofit sector across Oklahoma, the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits cut the ribbon on its new headquarters in the Innovation District. The building, which the 42year-old OCNP purchased
from the American Red Cross, was revamped with the help of a Centered on Impact Campaign, which has raised $8.5 million of its $10.5 million goal. Sarah Roberts and Kathy Williams served as co-chairmen of the campaign. The honorary co-chairmen included OCNP founder Pat Potts and her hus-
By Rose Lane Editor
porting pro-business issues at the state Capitol.” The report also revealed fewer pieces of anti-growth legislation than in years past.
On Nov. 1, Rachel Holt becomes the 11th president in the 100-year history of The United Way of Central Oklahoma. The announcement was made by Board Chairman Shane Wharton. She replaces Debby Hampton who announced her retirement this summer from that position after 13 years. “I am thrilled that Rachel has accepted the position as the next United Way CEO,” Wharton said. “She has my utmost confidence in her ability to lead United Way to fulfill its mission of serving the community of central Oklahoma.” Holt, who now serves as the executive director of the Office of Juvenile Affairs, said she was “honored by the Nominating Committee and board’s selection of me as the next president and CEO of the United Way of Central Oklahoma. “In my 11 years of state service in juvenile justice, I know the importance of strong community resources,” she said. Holt is familiar with many of the 70-plus Partner Agencies in Oklahoma, Canadian and Logan counties and said she was eager to jump in and learn more about each of them and how the United Way can continue to support their critical work.
See REID, Page 3
See HOLT, Page 3
band Ray, First Lady Kathy and Governor Frank Keating and Polly and Larry Nichols. Sixty percent of the building is dedicated to nonprofit use. The Red Cross is continuing to office there in leased space. There are places where organizations from across the state can See OCNP, Page 3
Treat receives perfect score in REID Report By Rose Lane Editor Fridayland Senator and President Pro Tempore Greg Treat was one of 45 legislators to receive a perfect report on this year’s REID
(Research Institute for Economic Development) Report. Treat’s score helped to point to a businessfriendly legislative session. “For 25 years, RIED has offered a great way
to track the pro-business sentiment of our legislature,” said Chad Warmington, president and CEO of the State Chamber of Oklahoma. “It’s a tool that we value and rely on to make sure elected officials are sup-
Oklahoma Commission on the Status of Women re-elects officers The Oklahoma Commission on the Status of Women (OCSW), a state government commission established in 1994, has re-elected its officers for the 2023-24 fiscal year. The commission advises the governor and legislature
on issues that are impacting Oklahoma women to improve their quality of life and increase economic opportunities. “The officers launched a journey last year across the state listening to life stories of Oklahoma women at 15 non-
profits and colleges on a wide range of issues,” said OCSW Chairman Brenda Jones Barwick. “The re-elected officers will continue focusing the commission on its mission to help improve the quality of life and increase economic opportuni-
Kitchen tour supports nonprofits Tickets are now on sale for the Oklahoma County Medical Society Alliance’s 31st Alliance Kitchen Tour on Sunday, Oct. 22, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. They are available at ocmsalliance.org and Culinary Kitchen + Home, located at 7222 N. Western Ave. “It’s so exciting to see our community pull together during the kitchen tour,” said event CoChairman Margo Ward. “From alliance members to local businesses to our homeowners, it’s a great collaboration for a great cause.” The annual Kitchen Tour supports health-related initiatives
and nonprofits throughout Oklahoma County. Through a grant application process, the alliance selects two beneficiaries every year. This year’s tour benefits Vizavance and Healthy Schools Oklahoma (HSOK) led by Bethany Children’s Health Center. Formerly known as Prevent Blindness Oklahoma, Vizavance advances children’s education by identifying vision issues as early as possible. The organization provides free screenings at public and private schools, daycares and Head Start Centers located See TOUR, Page 3
ties for every Oklahoma woman. The officers are nominated by a committee comprised of OCSW commissioners and then elected by the full commission. The 2023-2024 elected officers, who form the OCSW
executive committee, includes: • Chairman Brenda Jones Barwick, APR, president and CEO of Jones PR, of Edmond. • Vice Chairman Carol Hefner, vice president of See WOMEN, Page 15
FRIDAY’s
Baby of the Week Eli McCarthy Ikard is the 5-month-old son of Catherine and Gabe Ikard and the third great grandson of Judy Love and the late Tom Love. He is pictured with Aunt Claire Judith Cameron. Email Dog, Cat, Pet and Baby of the Week nominations with complete descriptions to rose@okcfriday.com.