Tulsans Gather To Celebrate Inauguration

TULSA, OK -- Record crowds showed up to watch Barack Obama take the oath of office. Hundreds of thousands of people braced the cold to witness the historic moment.

The inaugural celebration continued in Green Country as several watch parties welcomed our new president.

One of those parties was in the Greenwood District where the party carries on Tuesday night.

The Evening Gala Celebration gets underway at 6:30 p.m. at the Greenwood Cultural Center. The North Tulsa Heritage Foundation is sponsoring the events.

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The Greenwood Cultural Center was packed shoulder to shoulder on Tuesday as Obama supporters gathered to usher in history.

"I'm witnessing history, you know," said Chris Blackman, Tulsa resident.

"I am just overwhelmed. I'm overwhelmed, just speechless really," said Eddie Cleveland, Tulsa resident.

Among the crowd were Tulsans of different races, schoolchildren getting a hands-on history lesson, and 78-year old Bernice Denton.

"I've traveled over the United States doing civil rights work, hoping that one day before I leave this earth I would see all people are created equal," said Bernice Denton, Tulsa resident.

Tuesday's events is what Denton says she prayed for. Many say Mr. Obama's presidency signals a new image for the country's African Americans.

"I didn't know how we were going to be able to change the concept of black America. With the hope of Obama, not only as president but as an individual that wants to change the world, I am overwhelmed to be able to see that," said Cleveland.

Bernice Denton grew up poor in Mississippi, fighting for her share of the American dream. For her, the dream was fulfilled Tuesday.

"I've been crying, praying and hoping that from now on that we could walk together as God's children," said Denton.