Sunday afternoon in a packed room at the Ronald J. Norick Downtown Library, progressive leaders and activists from across Oklahoma gathered to strategize and build momentum for social change in one of America's most conservative states.
“This is just the beginning,” said event organizer Amanda McCellon, a community organizer and former civic engagement lead in the OKC metro area who said she recently lost her job due to her political activism on TikTok. “The future of this state is very important to me, as it is to everyone in this room, and that's why you're here and that's why you're watching.”
The workshop, which was also streamed on TikTok, drew participants from across Oklahoma, including McAlester, Ada, Antlers, Stillwater, and Enid, emphasizing engagement beyond the Oklahoma City metro. With a blend of political leaders and grassroots organizers, the event focused on the challenges and opportunities for progressive advocacy in communities across the state’s 77 counties.
Fighting From Within
District 46 State Representative Jacob Rosecrants (D–Norman) addressed the complexities of serving in the Republican-dominated legislature. “I'm a progressive Democrat in a Republican district, so it can be done,” Rosecrants told attendees. He emphasized the importance of focusing on common-sense solutions rather than partisan labels.
“Progressive... What does that even mean these days? It means common sense. We believe in science,” Rosecrants said, drawing applause from the crowd. He specifically criticized the current political climate under State Superintendent Ryan Walters, noting the challenges faced by educators and students.
Despite a Republican registration advantage in his district (44.63% compared to Democrats' 33.87%), Rosecrants won re-election this November with 54% of the vote, thanks in part to his district's substantial independent voters (20.57%) and Republicans willing to cross party lines for candidates they feel are best qualified.
“I need more people,” Rosecrants said, describing the mathematical reality of serving in the state legislature. “There's only 20 Democrats out of 101,” he explained, underscoring the challenges of advancing progressive policies in a chamber where Democrats are outnumbered by more than four to one.
Community Response and Crisis Support
As political tensions in Oklahoma escalate, organizations are stepping up to provide support and build bridges across ideological divides, particularly with LGBTQ issues that have become a flash point in the state.
Sara Cunningham, founder of Free Mom Hugs, shared her journey from conservative Christian to LGBTQ advocate, demonstrating how personal connections can transform perspectives.
“I met this beautiful, spirit-filled community, and I fell in love,” Cunningham said. Her organization, which began with a simple gesture with a homemade button in 2015 at a Pride parade, has grown into a national movement supporting LGBTQ individuals.
Defense of Democracy Oklahoma co-chairs Bailee Tyler and Candice Hoyt discussed their organization of more than 1,000 members working to combat extremism in local politics. “We are the woke boogeyman that Ryan Walters rants in his car about,” Tyler said, drawing laughter from the crowd.
The urgency of their work was underscored by Lance Preston, founder of Rainbow Youth Project USA, who revealed that Oklahoma leads the nation in LGBTQ youth crisis calls. “We take an average of 1,100 calls a month from Oklahoma alone,” Preston said, noting that his organization has now opened an office in Oklahoma City to address the crisis.
“Sixty-three percent of our young callers cite Ryan Walters as the reason they do not want to live,” Preston revealed, highlighting the real-world impact of political rhetoric on vulnerable youth. His organization has provided free mental health counseling to more than 7,000 kids across all 50 states.
Building Progressive Power
Two other speakers offered complementary perspectives on expanding progressive influence across Oklahoma, emphasizing both voter engagement and rural outreach as critical strategies for political change.
State Senator Mary Boren emphasized the importance of voter registration, suggesting that Oklahoma needs approximately 180,000 new voters to shift the political landscape, and advocated for focusing on registering new voters rather than trying to persuade existing Republican voters.
“We're in Oklahoma. We're already in those dark times,” Boren said, while encouraging attendees to remain engaged. “Your voice does matter, even if you don't believe that it does.” She emphasized the importance of building sustainable movements, citing the 18-month Montgomery Bus Boycott as an example of necessary persistence.
Chris Weir, who recently challenged for House District 4 in southeastern Oklahoma, built on Boren's message with practical insights from rural campaigning. Despite the district's deep conservative roots, Weir's campaign secured 4,700 votes and raised $25,000, demonstrating that progressive candidates can find support well beyond Oklahoma's metropolitan centers.
“Our salvation will only come from bringing the 74 other counties with us,” Weir said, pushing back against strategies that focus exclusively on Oklahoma City, Norman, and Tulsa. He emphasized that lasting change requires engaging rural communities, encouraging attendees to get involved at all levels of local politics, from precinct positions to county leadership.
Looking Forward
Organizations including PFLAG, Indivisible, and the Oklahoma Democratic Veterans Federation offered resources and opportunities for involvement. Lauren Riepl, a nonprofit consultant and DEI coach, offered practical advice for attendees interested in starting their own local movements. “You don't need to have specific credentials, experience, or even education,” Riepl said. “As long as you genuinely want to benefit your community, it is unlikely that people will question your efforts.”
The success of the event, which drew more than 100 attendees, has prompted McCellon to announce two additional workshops planned for Tulsa and Enid.
McCellon suggests that people interested in learning more about future events sign up on her website or follow her on Threads or TikTok. 🔵