Leaders learning new ways to better community at conference

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – City and community leaders from across Oklahoma gathered in downtown Oklahoma City on Tuesday to take part in Big Bets for America.

It was an information gathering conference, co-hosted by The Rockefeller Foundation and Heartland Forward, to share ideas and strategies to make communities better and stronger.

Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt and Governor Kevin Stitt joined innovators from across the region to share ways to reimagine the state’s way of life.

"What should a city do to be successful?” said Holt. “It would be investing in yourselves."

Holt shared how Oklahoma City transformed itself through MAPS programs over the past 30 years. He said the City put quality of life at the forefront.

"Fifteen initiatives at the city level to fund capital improvements,” said Holt. “For a total of nearly $10 billion in public investment."

Other organizations shared new ideas that could work in Oklahoma communities. A group called “rootED” has been successful in helping rural students achieve more than a high school diploma.

“We are redirecting them to get semi-skilled training,” said Noa Meyer. “Otherwise, they would not have gone to college and ended up in a dead-end job.”

The program has grown in success. It went from helping eight schools to 132.

"When rural students succeed, the families succeed," said Meyer. Another concept discussed was how Oklahomans are working to use food as medicine. It has already been successful across the state. It even showed up in legislation at the State Capitol. Oklahoma farmers have been feeding families to better their health from the inside out.