The inaugural Culture Connection Summit 2025 is set for Friday, Oct. 10, in the Stride Bank Grand Ballroom.
This event aims to bring together community members, civic leaders and cultural advocates for a full day of collaboration, conversation and celebration of Enid’s cultural diversity.
The event will begin at 9:10 a.m. with a keynote address from J.C. Watts, the American politician, clergyman and former University of Oklahoma and professional football player.
At 10 a.m., attendees can enjoy Cultural Spotlights, a showcase led by Donnie Childs, Raquel Gramillo, Chuck Kearney and Terry Mote, featuring music, dance and traditions from across Enid’s diverse communities.
Bethany Mayor Amanda Sandoval will headline the lunchtime keynote at noon, sharing her perspective on inclusive leadership and how municipalities can foster culturally vibrant communities.
The afternoon will feature interactive breakout sessions at 1 p.m., where participants will discuss community and cultural topics based on a pre-event survey. A Community Planning and Action Forum will follow at 2:30 p.m., allowing attendees to vote on initiatives, prioritize goals and plan next steps for multicultural engagement in Enid and beyond.
The summit will wrap up with closing remarks at 3:15 p.m., followed by a networking mixer at 3:30 p.m. with potential surprise guests.
Admission is free and open to the public, though space is limited. Early registration is encouraged at www.unitedwayenid.org.
