October 10 | Stride Bank Grand Ballroom | Enid, OK

 

The inaugural Culture Connection Summit 2025 will take place on Friday, October 10, 2025, at the Stride Bank Grand Ballroom in Enid, Oklahoma, bringing together community members, civic leaders, and cultural advocates for a full day of meaningful dialogue, cultural exchange, and actionable collaboration. 

“We hope that this summit will bring together the White, Black, Hispanic, Native American, and Micronesian communities living in Enid. We aim to acknowledge and celebrate the rich diversity each of these cultural groups contributes to our community. We want to encourage participation, understanding, and collaboration. By working together, we can make Enid an even better place to live,” states Patrick Anderson, Summit Committee Collaborator.

The event kicks off at 8:00 a.m. with registration, morning coffee, and a continental breakfast, followed by opening remarks from Master of Ceremonies, Ward 3 City Commissioner Frank Baker, who will set the stage for the day’s goal: fostering dialogue, understanding, and collaboration across cultures in our increasingly diverse community.

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Event Highlights Include:

• Keynote by J.C. Watts (9:10 a.m.) – American politician, clergyman, and former OU and professional football player

• Cultural Spotlights (10:00 a.m.) – A vibrant showcase led by Donnie Childs, Raquel Gramillo, Chuck Kearney, and Terry Mote, featuring music, dance, and traditions from diverse backgrounds represented in the local community.

• Lunch Keynote by Mayor Amanda Sandoval of Bethany (NOON) – Sharing insights on leadership through inclusion and the role of municipalities in creating culturally vibrant communities.

• Interactive Breakout Sessions (1:00 p.m.) – Attendees will engage in small group discussions to tackle relevant community and cultural topics determined by a pre-event survey, followed by collaborative reporting and audience Q&A.

• Community Planning & Action Forum (2:30 p.m.) – Participants will vote on key initiatives, prioritize action items, and develop strategies to move multicultural efforts forward in Enid and beyond.

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The summit will conclude with closing remarks at 3:15 p.m., highlighting future engagement opportunities and next steps, and then transitioning to a networking mixer at Enid Axe at 3:30 p.m., encouraging informal connections with potential surprise guest appearances.

Why It Matters:

“Our community is rich with cultures, stories, and experiences,” said Summit Committee Collaborator Raquel Gramillo. “The Culture Connection Summit is about bringing those together in one space—to learn, share, and build something stronger together.”

Registration Details:

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Admission is free and open to the public. Space is limited, so early registration is encouraged. 

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Culture Connection Summit Committee:

Angel Almarez, Patrick Anderson, Donnie Childs, Raquel Gramillo, Chuck Kearney, Terry Mote, Lanita Norwood, Stacey Norwood, Dan Schiedel, Carol Simmons, and Lisa White