Books for Thought Series: The Memoir of John Baptiste Stratford
Join us for our first Books for Thought program of 2026 with Dr. Leslee Stratford, great-granddaughter of J.B. Stratford. During this program, Dr. Leslee Stratford will discuss her book The Memoir of John Baptiste Stratford: Hero of Black Wall Street which tells the life story of one of Black Wall Street's most successful and wealthiest entrepreneurs. The program includes an author talk followed by a book signing.
ABOUT OUR AUTHOR & FEATURED BOOK
Dr. Leslee Stratford attended the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, where she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts, a Bachelor of Art Education, and a Master of Fine Arts degree. She received her Doctoral Degree in Educational Administration from Illinois State University. She was selected for Chicago’s Artist-in-Residence program, creating visual arts for the city’s permanent collection.
For seven years, she taught art classes at Norfolk State University, a prestigious HBCU. She later served as Dean Emeritus at Berkeley City College and Laney College in California’s Bay Area. Dr. Stratford also lectured at Oxford University in England.
Though now retired, she continues her abstract artistic career and is publishing her family and personal history. Dr. Stratford has traveled widely, especially to Paris, France, and currently lives in Sag Harbor, New York, where she was the Artist-in-Residence in 2023.
BOOKS FOR THOUGHT SERIES
Books for Thought introduces the local community to literary themes and scholars that engage them in critical thought, encourage the examination of race in our society, and motivate them to continue learning. All major topics will be centered on the Black population in relation to social, economic, and political themes. This initiative will host gatherings throughout the year in and outside of the History Center in accessible Tulsa locations. The schedule of events will include a speaker (author), audience Q&A, and a book signing. Some sessions will be modified by offering special benefits to individuals who have committed to a membership with the History Center. This series exists within an ecosystem, encouraging attendees to build an ongoing relationship with the Museum while intentionally engaging our organizational partners. Support from our neighbors is critical to the success of this program, as they will help inform our audiences, moderators, locations, and speakers.