Press Release
May 6, 2021
Contact: Meg Webb
OKPOP, Oklahoma Historical Society
Office: 918-671-6554
mcharron-webb@okhistory.org
www.okpop.org
OKPOP and Greenwood Cultural Center to Host Panel Discussion on Image Comics’ “Bitter Root” Comic to Commemorate Centennial of the Tulsa Race Massacre
TULSA, Okla. — To commemorate the centennial of the Tulsa Race Massacre, OKPOP and the Greenwood Cultural Center are partnering to host a panel discussion focusing on the award-winning “Bitter Root” comic book series on Wednesday, June 2, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The panelists will include the writers, artist and editor of “Bitter Root,” published by Image Comics.
The program will open with words from Dr. Stevie Johnson, educator with the Bob Dylan Archive, and Mechelle Brown, program director for the Greenwood Cultural Center. The event is free and open to the public. As limited number of spots will be available for in-person attendance, we strongly recommend attending online. To reserve an in-person seat, please call Mechelle Brown at 918-596-1026. To register to attend online, please visit www.okpop.org/bitterroot and fill out the registration form.
Created by David F. Walker, Chuck Brown, Sanford Greene and edited by John Jennings, “Bitter Root” exists in a fictional world that merges Afrofuturism, steampunk, historical narrative and horror. The series follows the Sangerye family as they hunt monsters transformed by hate, fear and racism. The comic book series has won numerous awards including the 2019 Ringo Award, Entertainment Weekly’s Best New Series of 2019 and the 2020 Eisner Award for Best New Series. The Eisner Award is one of the highest accolades in the comic book industry. In 2019, Legendary Studios purchased the rights to a film adaptation of the comic book. “Black Panther” and “Creed” director Ryan Coogler is slated to direct the project.
Funding for this program is provided in part by a grant from Oklahoma Humanities (OH) and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of OH or NEH.
About Oklahoma Humanities
Oklahoma Humanities (OH) is an independent, nonprofit organization whose mission is to strengthen communities by helping Oklahomans learn about the human experience, understanding new perspectives, and participate knowledgeably in civic life through humanities disciplines such as history, literature, film studies, art criticism, and philosophy. As the state partner for the National Endowment for the Humanities, OH provides a free educational magazine, Smithsonian Institution exhibits, reading and discussion groups, and other cultural opportunities for Oklahomans of all ages. OH engages people in their own communities, stimulating discussion and helping them explore the wider world of human experience.
About OKPOP
OKPOP is dedicated to telling the story of the creativity of Oklahoma’s people and their influence on popular culture around the world. Its staff is actively collecting artifacts, photographs, archival materials, film, video and audio recordings that represent Oklahoma’s creative history.
OKPOP is a division of the Oklahoma Historical Society. The mission of the Oklahoma Historical Society is to collect, preserve and share the history and culture of the state of Oklahoma and its people. Founded in 1893 by members of the Territorial Press Association, the OHS maintains museums, historic sites and affiliates across the state. Through its research archives, exhibits, educational programs and publications the OHS chronicles the rich history of Oklahoma. For more information about the OHS, please visit www.okhistory.org.
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