Tulsa Unites Around Youth: Mayor Nichols Launches Children’s Cabinet

(TULSA, Okla.) The newly created Mayor’s Office of Children, Youth and Families (MOCYF) recently hosted the first meeting of the  Tulsa Children’s Cabinet, which is a cross-sector group of representatives comprised of executive leaders from public entities, tribal nations, philanthropy, higher education, K-12 systems, and workforce entities to align resources, policies, practices, and programs to improve outcomes for children, youth, and families.

Created through executive order by Mayor Monroe Nichols, MOCYF is responsible for implementing a strategic plan, programs, policies, and other initiatives to ensure that 15,000 additional Tulsa children and youth are on a path to economic mobility and thriving by 2030. A key first task of MOCYF was the establishment of the Tulsa Children’s Cabinet within the Mayor’s Office to help further opportunities for every child and family in Tulsa by addressing systemic barriers, fostering cross-sector collaboration, and aligning resources to improve educational, economic, and social outcomes from birth through career success.

“I am a big believer that as a city, we have to hold ourselves accountable for the well-being of young people, and this effort is our way of bringing together entities from across the city to leverage partnerships, collaboration, and creative problem-solving to create the very best outcomes for youth and families within the community,” said Mayor Nichols. 

“I am incredibly thankful for everyone willing to participate in this effort, and I am grateful to work alongside our amazing partners as we set the model for improving student outcomes.”

The Cabinet’s responsibilities include advising the Mayor and the work of MOCYF by setting priorities, guiding citywide action, and supporting the formation of targeted Action Alliances focused on key areas such as early childhood, post-secondary transitions, career readiness, youth voice, place-based initiatives, and more. MOCYF is overseen by Deputy Mayor Krystal Reyes and implemented and staffed by local cradle to career nonprofit organization ImpactTulsa. The Children’s Cabinet is chaired by Deputy Mayor Reyes and co-chaired by Ashley Philippsen, who also serves as director of the MOCYF.

"I am honored to be working alongside this dedicated group of leaders to create long-term positive impact for the youth of Tulsa and thankful that they have joined in this ambitious citywide effort” said Deputy Mayor Krystal Reyes. “I am confident that we have started down a path to achieving the Mayor’s goal of putting an additional 15,000 youth on a path to economic mobility.”

During the kickoff meeting, Mayor Nichols and Deputy Mayor Krystal Reyes welcomed cabinet members by emphasizing the importance of a collective commitment—highlighting that Tulsa’s young people deserve unified efforts across sectors. Additional discussions were facilitated by Josh Davis, Vice President of Policy and Partnerships at StriveTogether, Dr. Delia Kimbrel, Ashley Philippsen, Aubrey Flowers, and Angel Webb, all focusing on the impact aligned resources, leadership, and goals can have on the future of Tulsa youth.The Cabinet will meet approximately every other month. Cabinet members include:

Cherokee Nation - Chief Chuck Hoskin, Jr. (designees Kim Teehee and Gene Perry)

City of Tulsa - Department of Parks and Recreation – Anna America

City of Tulsa - Department of Resilience and Equity - Dion'trae Hayes

City of Tulsa - Mayor’s Office - Deputy Mayor Krystal Reyes

City of Tulsa - Mayor’s Office - Commissioner of Public Safety Laurel Roberts

City of Tulsa - Mayor's Office of Children Youth and Families – Ashley Philippsen

Coretz Family Foundation - Jackie DuPont

Friendship Baptist Church - Pastor Jamaal Dyer

George Kaiser Family Foundation - Annie Van Hanken

Green Country Workforce – Michael Branan

Human Rights Commission - Dr. Andrea Walker

Jenks Public Schools - Dr. Stacey Butterfield

Leadership Tulsa – Marcia Bruno Todd

MetroLink Tulsa – Scott Marr

Muskogee Nation - Chief David Hill (designee Carmin Tecumseh-Williams)

Osage Nation - Chief Geoffrey Standing Bear (designee Teresa Bledsoe)

Schusterman Family Foundation - Michael Dupont

Student at Tulsa Public Schools - Lillian Geld

Student at Union Public Schools - Susana Argueta-Acosta

Student at Union Public Schools- Leslie Cardiel

Tulsa Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce - Dr. Martha Zapata

Tulsa Area United Way – Alison Anthony

Tulsa City Council - Councilor Karen Gilbert

Tulsa City Council - Councilor Vanessa Hall-Harper

Tulsa County Juvenile Bureau - Dr. Keith Hall

Tulsa Economic Development Corporation (TEDC) – Rose Washington-Jones (designee Dr. Joyce McClellan)

Tulsa Health Department - Dr. Bruce Dart

Tulsa Higher Education Consortium - Dr. Laura Latta

Tulsa Honor Academy - Elsie Urueta

Tulsa Housing Authority – Aaron Darden

Tulsa Public Schools - Dr. Ebony Johnson

Tulsa Regional Chamber - Bill Knight  

Union Public Schools - Dr. John Federline

Zarrow Family Foundation - Nancy Curry

For more information on MOCYF, visit www.cityoftulsa.org/MOCYF.