3.07: Cherokee storyteller - Jennifer Loren

Welcome to Tulsa Talks presented by Tulsa Regional Chamber. I'm your host Tim Landes. The voice you just heard belongs to Jennifer Loren. She's a co-creator, producer, director, and the host of the Emmy winning series, "Osiyo, Voices of the Cherokee People." It's a weekly documentary style program airing nationwide and online. Currently in its fifth season, OsiyoTV allows Cherokee Nation citizens to share their stories with you. 

For many years, Jennifer worked as an investigative reporter for NewsOn6 and their sister station News9 in Oklahoma City, where she reported on environmental issues, government corruption and more. In 2014, she left news to go to work for her tribe and launch OsiyoTV. In less than two decades of work. Jennifer has earned 26 Emmy nominations and won six, including one for her investigative news coverage in 2012.

I've long admired Jennifer. For many years, I was just a fan of her journalism work. Then for a few years, we were coworkers at Cherokee Nation Businesses, where I got to see how her hard work comes to fruition and results in stellar storytelling. She's one of the hardest workers I've been around. Fueled by an endless curiosity, Jennifer is a tenacious, gritty, dedicated journalist whose passion shows in the outstanding work she continues to produce. 

As if that wasn't enough, Jennifer is also now leading the charge in the tribe's efforts to get into the movie business. We discuss the importance of her show in spotlighting the diverse people who make up the largest tribe in the country, and why launching a film office is not only important for the tribe, but also for the state of Oklahoma.

During our conversation, she reflects on her time and news and shares her thoughts on the evolution of the industry at the local and national level. We also talk about the importance of her work as a woman, mother and the Cherokee Nation citizen.

Following that conversation, city editor Morgan Phillips takes her What the What segment to Tulsa Glassblowing School to check out the nonprofit's new studio space in McClure Park and learn what it takes to make glass art. As a former board member for the glass blowing school, I have to say their new digs are incredible. I'm really happy and excited for the staff, artists and for everyone who gets to take advantage of the enhanced opportunities the new studio creates.

Closing out this episode is new music from graveyard Party, which is sharing their new song "Bloom." It's featured on the EP of the same name that you can find on your favorite streaming site. It's a good one. Okay, let's get this going. This is Tulsa talks.