Want to be involved in VNN’s FATE series?

The best change comes from within.

Closing the door on adversity. Opening doors so others can find the way out.

VNN held two in-person events to explore the path from adversity to entrepreneurship, the community benefits of taking that path, and the barriers that stand in the way. One was held in the Tulsa, Oklahoma, on June 18, 2022. The other was held in Okmulgee, Oklahoma, on July 16, 2022. Tulsa is Oklahoma’s second largest city. Okmulgee is considered a rural area.

During both events we heard from community members, as well as recovering addicts turned entrepreneurs. Topics included stigmas surrounding drug addiction, myths about entrepreneurship, and job creation for justice-involved men and women.

TULSA EVENT

Tulsa FATE event highlights strengths and weaknesses of Oklahoma's entrepreneurship ecosystem

Click to read.

OKMULGEE EVENT

Okmulgee FATE event finds rural class systems stifling community, entrepreneurship growth

Click to read.

Learning from FATE is being published as part of VNN’s “Community Voices” news series.

Learn more about “Community Voices” here

VNN partnered with Big If True to provide contextual reporting necessary to understand the roots of adversity within Oklahoma and American Indian reservations.

Improved access to mental health care in Oklahoma could help reduce female incarceration, advocates say

Click to read.

Castro-Huerta ruling continues a legacy of broken promises to Native American communities

Click to read.

How funding mental health services could reduce incarceration in Oklahoma

Click to read.

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Rhonda Bear talks entrepreneurship and living with addiction

“There were so many times when there was 78 cents in the bank. There was no money. That was my profit for the month. 78 cents. And it was so hard. Oh, my goodness. Probably one of the hardest things I’ve ever done is to start it and keep it going. And not let fear take me down.”

Rhonda Bear, She Brews Coffee House

Click to read.

Survey results

Community Resources

RECOVERY

Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Treatment List HERE
Creek Health Behavioral Health and Substance Abuse Services (Muscogee Creek Citizens) HERE
CHESS Connections App (To help support individuals in recovery from substance use disorder and their loved ones) HERE

DOMESTIC

Domestic Violence Intervention Services HERE
Housing Assistance through Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services HERE
Social Services through Deep Fork Community Action HERE

EMPLOYMENT

Employment Services through Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services HERE

ENTREPRENEURSHIP

STATEWIDE

Free Skill Development through the Small Business Administration Learning Center HERE
BetaBlox in-person and digital offerings HERE

TULSA

SCORE Free Business Mentoring and Education HERE
Hispanic Small Business Owners Association Entrepreneurship Academy HERE
ACT House Accelerator for Black and Latino led startups (6 months) HERE
Business Skill Development through the Tulsa Economic Development Corp. Small Business University (4-6 weeks) HERE
TEDC re(Build) Developers Academy for aspiring BIPOC developers (3 weeks) HERE
MORTAR Tulsa for Commercial/Retail business owners (15 weeks) HERE
Kitchen 66/Cocina 66 for food entrepreneurs HERE
36 Degrees North coworking space and education HERE
The Forge for high-growth start-ups HERE
Nest Collective for creative businesses HERE (9 weeks)

OKMULGEE

Green Country Technology Center Business and Entrepreneurial Services HERE
Mvskoke Fund Small Business and Entrepreneur Services (Citizens of federally recognized tribes only) HERE