Daughty to Receive the First Walter O. Mason, Jr. Kingdom Diversity Hall of Fame Award on April 20 at OBU

OBU is pleased to announce that Ycedra Daughty will be the inaugural inductee into the OBU Walter O. Mason, Jr. Kingdom Diversity Hall of Fame.

This new Hall of Fame recognizes and honors individuals whose lives are dedicated to promoting and advancing Kingdom diversity. This is rooted in the value of people from all nations, kindreds, peoples and tongues, as described in Revelation 7:9.

The ceremony will be held April 20 from 3–4 p.m. on the OBU campus in Room 219-220 of the Geiger Center. The public is invited to attend this free event. For planning purposes, guests are asked to RSVP by April 14 at okbu.cc/kdhof-rsvp. The attire is "dress to impress" and heavy hors d'oeuvres will be served at the event, which will be in an award show format, according to B.J. Glover, OBU vice president for university culture.

Ycedra Daughty, renowned educator and community leader, made an indelible mark during her 45-year tenure in public service, her son Andre Daughty said.

“As principal of Edgemere Elementary in Oklahoma City, she revolutionized the school's approach to diversity, actively engaging the community and implementing innovative reading programs that transformed the academic landscape,” he said.

He added that her hands-on approach, which included reading to students and teaching in classrooms, not only elevated test scores but also fueled a surge in enrollment, making Edgemere a beacon of educational excellence. Her success extended beyond Edgemere “to communities at Moon Elementary and Oakridge Elementary,” where she replicated her transformative methods.

Even in retirement, Daughty continues to mentor educators nationwide. This is part of a lifelong commitment to educational advancement.

Beyond her distinguished career in education, Daughty's passion for music and ministry has also left an equally profound impact, said Andre Daughty, also an educator and musician. From her early days as a choir director at historic Union Baptist Church to her leadership at Neighborhood Missionary Baptist Church, she has shared her musical talents and spiritual guidance with unwavering dedication. Her choirs' performances, ranging from concerts to musicals, resonated both locally and statewide, while her outreach to the elderly in rest homes underscored her commitment to serving the community. Daughty's multifaceted contributions earned her numerous accolades, including induction into the prestigious Oklahoma African American Educators Hall of Fame in 2021, highlighting her enduring legacy of excellence and service.

Daughty graduated from OBU with a Bachelor of Music Education in Voice K-12 in 1974. She earned a Master of Education from the University of Oklahoma in 1986.

“Mrs. Daughty was a standout among nominees for this award,” Glover said. “Not only did she meet every qualification we required, but her life work embodies the qualities we want to honor at OBU. One of the most impactful changes she has engendered over four decades is opening up the world of reading to students from many different backgrounds in public schools.”

Daughty will receive a personalized trophy and a $1,000 cash award upon her induction into the Kingdom Diversity Hall of Fame.

The award recognizes individuals who exemplify a set of admirable attributes, including: demonstrating Christian character in everyday life; exemplifying excellence in their chosen field, profession, academic pursuits, or other honorable endeavors; modeling a pattern of dedication or service to others, with a particular focus on marginalized groups, including racial, ethnic, or socioeconomic minorities; making a significant, positive difference in the community, within an organization, or in the lives of marginalized individuals and serving as change agents who have facilitated conditions for positive change to manifest in the realm of Kingdom diversity.