Ask Angela Welcomes Marilyn Vann: A Champion for Justice, Truth, and Tribal Freedmen Rights

 

Ask Angela Welcomes Marilyn Vann: A Champion for Justice, Truth, and Tribal Freedmen Rights

On Thursday, February 12 at 9:00 AM (Central Time), Ask Angela will welcome a powerful and deeply respected voice to the show — Marilyn Vann, a national leader, advocate, and historian whose work has helped reshape the conversation around tribal citizenship, treaty rights, and justice for Freedmen descendants.

This episode promises to be an honest, educational, and necessary discussion as we set the record straight regarding Black lives, t

and the broader historical context impacting Black and African Indigenous communities.

Who Is Marilyn Vann?

Marilyn Vann serves as President and Director of the Descendants of Freedmen of the Five Civilized Tribes Association, a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating the public about the history, culture, and political rights of African Indian peoples whose ancestors were enrolled as Freedmen tribal members by the U.S. government through the Dawes Commission.

She is also the President of the African Indians of the Five Civilized Tribes Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization focused on advocacy, education, and historical preservation.

Marilyn is widely recognized for her leadership in landmark federal litigation. She was a named litigant in Vann et al. v. Zinke and Cherokee Nation v. Nash and Vann, cases that resulted in the 2017 enforcement of the 1866 Treaty, affirming the citizenship rights of Cherokee Freedmen descendants. These rulings marked a historic victory after generations of exclusion and disenfranchisement.

A Nationally Recognized Voice

Marilyn’s advocacy and expertise have been featured in some of the most respected publications in the country, including:

The New York Times

The Los Angeles Times

The Wall Street Journal

The Washington Post

Ebony Magazine

Essence Magazine

She has also served as a panelist and speaker at major academic and policy forums, including the University of California, Indiana University, Michigan State University College of Law, University of Oklahoma College of Law, and the Federal Bar Association’s Indian Law Section Conference. Her work has been highlighted at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Conference, where tribal Freedmen issues were brought to national attention.

Testifying Before Congress

Marilyn’s expertise has been sought at the highest levels of government.

In July 2021, she was selected by the U.S. House Financial Services Committee Subcommittee on Housing, Insurance, and Community Development to testify on the history and housing needs of Freedmen tribal members and disenrolled Freedmen.

In July 2022, she provided witness testimony before the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs during an oversight hearing on the 1866 treaties of the Five Tribes, addressing both historical context and the present-day economic realities facing Freedmen descendants.

Leadership Within the Cherokee Nation

Marilyn is a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, with both African and Cherokee ancestry. In recognition of her service and volunteerism, she received a Statesmanship Award from the Cherokee Nation in 2018 and a Human Rights Award from the Oklahoma Universal Human Rights Alliance in 2019.

In 2021, Marilyn made history by running for a seat on the Cherokee Nation Tribal Council, placing third with 22% of the vote — the first person of Cherokee Freedmen status to seek a council seat since the early 1900s. Later that year, she was nominated by Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. and unanimously approved to serve on the Cherokee Nation Environmental Protection Commission, becoming the first Freedmen descendant appointed to a Cherokee Nation board or commission.

A Career of Service and Advocacy

Marilyn holds a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from the University of Oklahoma, graduating with distinction. After working in industry, she dedicated 32 years to federal government service, retiring as an engineering team leader.

Beyond her professional career, she has organized educational workshops, community meetings, and fundraisers throughout Eastern Oklahoma, addressing tribal history, systemic racism, and the economic impact of discriminatory policies at the federal, state, and tribal levels.

Join the Conversation

Marilyn Vann’s story is one of persistence, courage, and truth-telling. Her work reminds us that history is not just something to be remembered — it is something that must be confronted and corrected.

📅 Thursday, February 12

⏰ 9:00 AM Central Time

📍 Ask Angela | The Original Black Wall Street

This is a conversation you do not want to miss.

Let’s talk truth.

Let’s talk openly and honestly.

👉🏾Interested in being a future guest on Ask Angela?

📧 Email: askangela@theoriginalblackwallstreet.com