OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty (OK-CADP) will host its 33rd Annual Awards Dinner and Meeting on Saturday, May 17. The event will feature keynote speaker Cece Jones-Davis, an award-winning faith leader, facilitator, public speaker and impact strategist.
Cece is known most recently for her work in creating the #JusticeforJulius campaign that saved death row prisoner Julius Jones in Oklahoma just hours before his scheduled execution in 2021.
The event will take place at New Covenant Christian Church, 12000 N. Rockwell in Oklahoma City. Registration will begin at 5:30 p.m. and dinner will be served at 6:15 p.m. The program will start at 7 p.m., which will also be available via Zoom.
For the past 20 years, Cece has partnered with national organizations and brands such as Levi’s and Tampax, organized and led grassroots movements and used her voice to address issues of injustice. Her activism ranges from fighting to abolish the death penalty to advocating for menstrual equity. She works to create immediate impact and drive policy changes, awareness and education.
She served in former President Obama’s administration under Ambassador Ron Kirk, the first African American U.S. Trade Representative. She is known most recently for her work in creating the #JusticeforJulius campaign that saved Julius Jones in Oklahoma just hours before his scheduled execution in 2021.
Cece’s impact has been recognized throughout the United States, including an Emmy nomination for a KFOR News conversation on racial (re)conciliation, the Change.org Changemaker of the Year Award, the Freedom and Justice Award from the renowned Innocence Project, the Ella Jo Baker Human Rights Award from the Samuel D. Proctor Conference, and Special Congressional Recognition for her efforts in civil rights and social justice.
An ordained minister in the Disciples of Christ denomination, Cece is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. She is a graduate of Howard University, Yale Divinity School, Yale Institute of Sacred Music, Georgetown University, and a member of the inaugural member of the Obama Leaders USA program.
“Cece Jones-Davis is a longtime friend to all advocates of criminal justice reform in Oklahoma,” said Rev. Don Heath, Chair of OK-CADP. “She is a dynamic speaker and draws on a wealth of experience. We are grateful that she is coming back from her home in Virginia to speak to us.”
During the program, members of the coalition’s community will be honored with the organization’s Abolitionist Awards: The Phil Wahl Abolitionist of the Year Award, the Opio Toure Courageous Advocate Award and the Lifetime Abolitionist Award. Cece was named Abolitionist of the Year in 2019.
Oklahoma has executed 15 inmates since resuming lethal injections in October 2021 following a six-year moratorium after problems with drug mix-ups and a botched lethal injection in 2014. Death row prisoner Wendell Grissom is scheduled to be executed on March 20.
The OK-CADP 2024 Annual Awards Dinner, in-person or via Zoom, costs $75 for adults / $25 students and sponsorships/tables are $600 (8 tickets). Tickets can be purchased online HERE.
To order tickets by mail, send checks along with each guest’s name to: OK-CADP, P.O. Box 713, Oklahoma City, OK 73101-0713.
Tags: Annual dinner, Cece Jones Davis, death penalty, fundraiser, OK-CADP
