Jere W. Roberson is professor of history at the University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond.  His Ph.D. in history is from the University of Georgia, Master’s from Auburn University, and undergraduate degree from Tennessee Technological University.  He has authored a number of articles on southern history and the black experience in Oklahoma and has presented many papers on black history in Oklahoma.  The native of Nashville specializes in Black history of the West and is engaged in a book-length manuscript comparing the background of Oklahoma City to that of Tulsa to answer this question:  “Why Tulsa and Not Oklahoma City?: Birthing a Riot.”