The Attucks Community Center Overcoming a History of Segregation

Story and Photos by Jennifer Vaughan / Ponca City Monthly Staff Writer

Since its formation in July 1998, The Attucks Community Alliance has been changing Ponca City in countless ways. The Alliance is a 501(C)3 non-profit organization and is composed of a core group of 10 volunteers offering programs, events and oversight for the Attucks Community Center.

Attucks Community Alliance provides direction and guidance in the ongoing restoration, operation, and maintenance of the Attucks Community Center. The Alliance also provides programs for all ages in the safe and orderly environment of the Center.

The Attucks Community Center is the focal point of positive growth for our community. Its mission seeks to • increase citizen participation, • reduce poverty, • address social problems of immediate concerns, • plan for long-range growth and development by working to improve economic and social conditions, and • establish direct lines of communication between the many diversified groups within the community.

The Attucks Community Center is located at 1001 South 12th Street. It is housed in one of the oldest school buildings in Ponca City. Prior to the school’s opening, Ponca City’s Black students endured an hour-long bus ride to Langston to receive their education.

Construction of “Attucks Separate School” was completed in 1926, with three add-ons completed in 1928, 1936 and 1937.

Among the many subjects available to its students, Attucks Separate School offered a home economics program, orchestra and band as well as cosmetology. Notably, the school housed a health clinic and provided the first hot lunch program in Kay County. The school celebrated its first graduation in 1932.

In 1956, Ponca City Schools desegregated grades 7th through 12th. It wasn’t until 1966 that all grades were desegregated in Ponca City, and Attucks Separate School was closed. The school building laid mostly dormant for years, and a couple of fires destroyed several sections before the Attucks Community Alliance was formed.

Attucks School was named to the National Register of Historic Places on December 4, 2017, nominated by Ponca City’s Historic Preservation Advisory Panel.

“The Attucks facility is the soul and heart of the community in south-side Ponca City,” says Norris Frederick, board member. “What I do today in volunteer work and support of those in need, is in direct correlation of the guidance, nurturing and love bestowed upon me as a child growing up in the Black section of Ponca City.”

He continues, “As I look back at the isolation and separation of this section of Ponca City, I now understand the drive and determination of our Black community leaders, parents and business owners to instill that same drive and determination in us to succeed even though we have to work harder. I continue to accept this challenge as Attucks is not merely a memory, it is a way of life, tradition and quite frankly a badge of honor.”

The Attucks Community Alliance is planning much-needed major repairs to the Center. Phillips66 has served as a partner with employee volunteer grants and company philanthropic donations.

The City of Ponca City is working closely with The Attucks Community Alliance to provide guidance for available building grants, park improvements and building code updates. Private and corporate donations, along with community support help provide financial stability to The Alliance.

The greatest need of the Alliance during this time of building repairs is financial support and volunteers with construction experience and skills.

“When I became involved with Attucks Community Alliance, it was to be a part of saving a building that was historical in our community,” says Dwain West, Chairman, Attucks Community Alliance Board.

“I attended Attucks School through most of grade school. I remembered how dedicated the teachers and other staff were in making sure we were equipped and prepared to go to the next level of our education. I wanted to help preserve the building and to honor the people who gave their all for Attucks School,” West says.

Attucks Community Alliance board members, Dwain West, Dolley Rolland, Diane Anderson and James Roland are pictured sitting outside the Center.

Attucks is not merely a memory, it is a way of life, tradition and quite frankly, a badge of honor.

The Attucks Community Center is located on 12th Street and Madison in Ponca City. Re-utilizing one of the oldest school buildings in Ponca City, the center was formally Attucks Separate School until Ponca City Schools were desegregated in 1966. The Attucks Community Center features Attucks park and splash pad, as well as basketball courts outdoor of the center.

The Attucks Community Alliance is proud to provide community outreach in numerous ways.

Attucks School is a focal point of for all of our community to enjoy and provides a needed space for meetings and events. It offers a learning space, an event center and even a place to say last good-byes to loved ones.

“The historical perspective is still important, and we will continue to help keep that history, because it is relevant today. So many things take place in the Center that help to make us better and I want to make sure we continue to expand and grow the space and use it,” says board member Diane Anderson.

Once COVID-19 restrictions are lifted, the Center will open back up on Saturday and Sunday afternoons for children to play basketball and will also provide tutoring and a reading programs for children who may find themselves struggling due to coronavirus-caused school closure.

Without paid staff, the Center relies on board members and volunteers to open and close the center as appropriate. They will have set Hours for tutoring and open time that may vary according to need and volunteer availability.

Anderson is proud of the Center’s versatility. “The Center serves as a meeting place, has been a shelter, learning center, daycare center and even provided programs for seniors. I believe that, not only does the Center preserve an important piece of history for the city, but it adds a resource to citizens for various use.”

The Community Center has hosted clothing outreaches, back-to-school supplies support, young black male workshops and mentoring. The Alliance mentors and sponsors the Ponca City High School African American Club in conjunction with Phillips 66 Black Employee Network (BEN). The Club assists the Attucks Community Alliance with an annual Thanksgiving basket giveaway, Martin Luther King, Jr. programs, preparing gift bags for seniors in assisted living facilities, Black History Month and more.

Another event the Alliance co-sponsors with BEN is the Southside Children’s Christmas Party. Every child who attends receives a gift along with a sweet treat and fruit. Additionally, all attendees enjoy a meal or heavy hors’ d oeuvres.

The Attucks Community Alliance also hosts an Annual Juneteenth weekend celebration. This free event provides games, prizes and lunch for all in attendance. The Juneteenth celebration also offers food for purchase to defray costs of the event and raise funds for the Center.

The Attucks Community Center offers facility rental beginning at $125 for four hours or up to $400 for the day. It hosts many wedding receptions, funeral dinners, quinceaneras and provides meeting space for civic organizations and more. To reserve the facility, contact Diane Anderson at (580) 304-4927 or email AttucksCommunityCenter@gmail.com.

“Attucks Community Alliance provides a safe place for many people, which is why I volunteer,” Anderson says. “I started volunteering when the Center was in a horrible state of repair and children were going into the building to play basketball. This was before the park was developed. Myself and others saw a need and wanted this to be a safe place to play and to learn. I guess the bottom line for me is that the Center meets the needs of many in many ways.”

HOW YOU CAN HELP

The Attucks Community Alliance needs the support of the entire community to repair and maintain the Center. The history of the building during the years of segregation is a history that should never be forgotten or repeated. Tax-deductible donations may be sent to: ATTN: Board of Directors, Attucks Community Alliance, P.O. Box 267, Ponca City, Oklahoma, 74602-0267.