“THE
ORIGINAL
TWELVE”
In the year 1951 the City of Oklahoma City initiated a bond campaign to expand the Oklahoma City Fire Department. At this time the Oklahoma City Fire Department did not have any African American firefighters.
Given the concern about representation of its communities, the National Urban League chapter of Oklahoma City alongside prominent community leaders met with the City Council
about the possibility of hiring African-American employees to desegregate the fire department. Throughout continuous negotiations, the council decided to hire twelve black firefighters.
In turn, the Urban League and community leadership would drum up support for the bond campaign at hand.
On November 22nd, 1951, these 12 firefighters were assigned to Semi-Segregated fire stations, Engine Company #2, and Station #6.
James Coffee
Algie Lawrence
Cecil Dixon
Marvin Nelson
Herbert Ford
Edward "EK" Russell
Melvin Franklin
Bobby Summers
Carl Holmes
Charles "CQ" Wright
Willard Jenkins
James Young
On November 22, 1971, African-American employees of the Oklahoma City Fire Department organized under the leadership of Sherman Carthen (1966-1997). “The Fifth Quarter Civic Men's Club” received Incorporation status from the State of Oklahoma on December 7th 1971.
In 1973,The Fifth Quarter Civic Men's Club, working in conjunction with Tom Riddle, President of Local #157 implemented a labor recruitment program, designed to train minorities for the fire service. With funding from the Oklahoma Department of Labor. C.Q. Wright (1951-1971) was hired as program director.
In 1974, another labor recruitment program was implemented under the direction of Captain Maurice Holloway (1965-1995).
Through this program, the first female firefighters were hired by the Oklahoma City Fire Department in 1984 (Karen Kirkham). Both women were placed in communication. One was black.
Chief Carl Holmes (1951-1981) climbed to the ladder to become Assistant Fire Chief of Oklahoma City Fire Department. He became the third African American in the United States to hold this position. In 1991, Holmes created EDI, its mission is to develop management skills and leadership potential of African-American firefighters to prepare them for promotion to higher ranks.