Tulsa honors three educators with Doctor Laverne Ford Wimberly Black Educator Excellence Awards; mayor outlines education goals

Mayor Nichols and members of the Greater Tulsa African American Affairs Commission honored three local teachers Thursday evening at the Doctor Laverne Ford Wimberly Black Educator Excellence Award ceremony at City Hall. The award, named for longtime educator Laverne Ford Wimberly, recognized Cheyenne Cooks of Monroe Demonstration Academy, Kirsten Hicklin of KIPP Tulsa University Prep and Haley Newby of Hawthorne Elementary School.

The mayor framed the awards within a broader civic initiative. "I think the greatest asset we have in this community are our young people," Mayor Nichols said, and said the city has "built a Children's cabinet" and set a goal to "put 15,000 additional kids on a pathway to economic mobility," adding that the city will seek voter support to fund new investments. He said the pledge reflects a belief that "you can't just say that kids are important but not invest in them."

The program centered on Dr. Laverne Ford Wimberly, whose career the commission described as spanning nearly four decades in Tulsa Public Schools and district leadership posts. Wimberly, who addressed the room, urged teachers to persevere. "Never give up on your students," she said, recounting classroom stories — including taking a struggling pupil home to practice spelling — that illustrated her point. Speakers noted Wimberly's service as teacher, counselor, principal and district administrator and said the award carries her name to honor that legacy.

Organizers and nominators highlighted specific accomplishments of the three honorees. Cheyenne Cooks, introduced by Commissioner Judy Williams and later praised by nominator Patty Sapilaver, was described as committed to the McLean feeder pattern and to raising students from multiple levels behind to grade level; Sapilaver called Cooks "unshakable" and recounted recent classroom observations. Kirsten Hicklin, introduced by Jamia Irons, was noted as a Teach For America alum and second-year teacher who has led literacy-focused professional development and started a student "ambassador" leadership program. Haley Newby, introduced by a Teach For America affiliate, was recognized for increasing reading proficiency among her second graders and for being a Hawthorne teacher and district teacher-of-the-year finalist.

Speakers — including Jamila Stuckey, chair of the commission's education committee — placed the awards in a message about long-term support for students and educators. Stuckey said Wimberly's career "reminds us what it means to teach, to lead, and to love people deeply," and urged the audience to continue work to "resource their work, and protect the sacred space of learning that they create every single day."

The ceremony included brief technical difficulties with a planned video tribute to one honoree; organizers said the video would be posted on the city's channels. The commission closed by thanking committee chairs, inviting attendees to a group photograph and light refreshments, and urging continued civic support for educators.

The event did not include formal votes or policy adoptions. The mayor's remarks signaled a planned effort to pursue voter-authorized investments; details about any ballot measures, dollar amounts or timelines were not specified during the ceremony.