Our History

Locs of Strength was launched after founder, Artisha Woody, battled a stage 3 breast cancer diagnosis at the age of 34. During her battle with cancer, it was quickly brought to her attention the lack of available resources for women of color, but more specifically for African-American women in her home state of Oklahoma. As a result, Artisha made it her mission to create an avenue to bring more awareness to the health related inequities and find a way to provide the much needed resources and support to the aforementioned demographic.

Our Mission

The mission and purpose of our organization is to inspire, uplift, and empower African-American women by providing them with a serene, professional, and comforting environment while providing resources which will allow them to progress through their cancer journey with style, dignity, and grace.

MEET OUR BOARD

Headshot of Tiece Dempsey

TIECE DEMPSEY

Headshot of Kambri Antwine

KAMBRI ANTWINE

Headshot of KeShana Braxton

KESHANA BRAXTON

Lenard Smith

LENARD SMITH

Headshot of Dr. George Young, Sr.

DR. GEORGE YOUNG

  • Board President

    Tiece Dempsey serves as the Criminal Justice Act (“CJA”) Resource Counsel for the Office of the Federal Public Defender in the Western District of Oklahoma. In this role, she secures appointments and assists the Federal Public Defender Office and private court-appointed attorneys in representing indigent defendants. Before her current position, Tiece worked as a policy analyst with the Oklahoma Policy Institute before accepting a judicial law clerk position with the Honorable Vicki Miles-LaGrange, Retired Senior Judge of the United States District Court in the Western District of Oklahoma.

    Tiece earned a Bachelor’s Degree in General Business from Oklahoma State University and a Master’s in Health Administration from the University of Oklahoma. Tiece also earned a Juris Doctor from Oklahoma City University School of Law and is admitted to practice law in Oklahoma. 

    In addition to her professional work, Tiece is actively involved in several professional, civic, and social organizations. She currently serves as the President of the Board of Directors for Locs of Strength, a nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring, uplifting, and empowering African American women actively receiving breast cancer treatments by providing education, support, and resources as they navigate their respective cancer journeys. Tiece also chairs the Oklahoma City Black Chamber of Commerce Foundation Board of Directors. She is the past President of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated Sigma Sigma Omega Chapter, the Pearls of SSO Foundation, and the Oklahoma City Association of Black Lawyers. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Oklahoma Bar Foundation and Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma. In 2018, Tiece, with her sister, Marsha Herron, founded the O. D. Dempsey Jr. Memorial Foundation. This nonprofit organization provides college scholarships to Oklahoma City and Milwood Public Schools students.

  • Secretary

    Kambri Antwine is the daughter of Alvin and Sennola Fruga and one of four children. She was raised primarily in the heart of Oklahoma. Her deep roots in the state have shaped her commitment to serving her community, a passion that has manifested in a distinguished career as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).

    Kambri’s professional journey is guided by her unwavering trust in God, which infuses her compassionate and dedicated approach to therapy. She has provided invaluable therapeutic services to a diverse range of populations, spanning from vulnerable children to the wisdom-filled geriatric community. Her expertise shines particularly bright in her work addressing anxiety and depression, where she creates a safe and supportive space for individuals to navigate their challenges. Additionally, she has cultivated a strong reputation for her insightful couples therapy, helping partners build stronger, more fulfilling relationships, all while relying on her faith to provide guidance.

    Beyond her professional endeavors, Kambri is a proud and active member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Incorporated, a testament to her commitment to service and sisterhood. Her dedication has been evident in her involvement at the local, state, and regional levels, where she has contributed significantly to the sorority’s mission.

    In her personal life, Kambri is a devoted wife and mother. She will celebrate eleven years of marriage to her husband, Chris in July of 2025, a milestone that reflects the strength and love of their partnership. Together, they are the proud parents of three beautiful children: Laila, Corey, and Adrian.

  • Governance Committee Chair

    KeShana Braxton is a proud NE Oklahoma City native with a deep-rooted passion for community service and helping others unlock their fullest potential. As a Certified Human Resources Professional, she has devoted the majority of her career to leading high performance teams, with a strong focus on Talent Acquisition and Employee Relations. Her work is driven by a genuine commitment to creating inclusive and empowering workplaces where individuals can thrive both personally and professionally.

    Beyond her professional role, KeShana is deeply engaged in community outreach through her involvement with local and national organizations and service on various boards. Her leadership in these roles reflects her dedication to mentoring emerging leaders, creating connections, and unlocking human potential.

    Whether in the office or in the community, KeShana leads with purpose, vision, and an unshakeable belief in the power of people to create meaningful change.

  • Treasurer

    Lenard Smith works as an IT professional at a local career tech campus. Lenard has a knack for logistics and has proven track record of being extremely successful in this arena by way of multiple professional and community focused groups that he belongs to. He is a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated, and exhibits the organization’s motto of “Culture for Service and Service for Humanity” in all endeavors that he undertakes.

  • Reverend Doctor George E. Young, Sr. was born in Memphis, Tenn. He retired from 30 years of Pastoral service in 2013. Dr. Young was elected to the Oklahoma State House of Representatives in 2014, while serving was elected as the Democratic Caucus Vice Chair and serves as the Oklahoma Legislative Black Caucus Chair. As of November 6, 2018 he was elected to the Oklahoma State Senate and he will continue serving as the Chair of the Oklahoma Legislative Black Caucus. Dr. Young is the author of “Christology: A Look At Practical Christianity.” He was selected to attend the Center for the Advancement of Leadership Skills in Little Rock, sponsored by the Southern Legislative Conference. He was invited and attended the Medicaid Leadership Policy Academy in Washington, DC and the follow up Advanced Academy, sponsored by the Council of State Governments. In 2017, participated in the Early Learning Fellows Program, sponsored by the National Conference of State Legislator’s, which focused on topics involving the economic returns on investment in the early years; the science of early brain development; and early childhood development. In 2018, Early Learning Fellows Program, sponsored by the National Conference of State Legislator’s, focused on the promising approaches for America’s Addiction Crisis. In 2019, Dr. Young was invited to serve on the National Task Force on Healthy States, sponsored by the Council of State Governments.

    He is a Certified Mediation Specialist in Family and Divorce issues. He received his undergraduate degree from Lambuth University in Jackson, Tennessee. He continued his education receiving a Masters of Arts in Ministry from Oklahoma Christian University, graduating Magna Cum Laude, a Master of Divinity Degree from Phillips Theological Seminary, Tulsa, Oklahoma, graduating Cum Laude, and a Master of Business Administration from Oklahoma Christian University in December of 2006 and completed his Doctorate of Ministry from Phillips Theological Seminary in 2010.

    Dr. Young is a graduate of the Oklahoma Aging Leadership Advocacy Academy class of 1999 (Charter Class). He is an alumnus of Leadership Oklahoma City (Class XX), completed two years as Co-Chair of Classes XIX and XXX and an alumnus of Leadership Oklahoma where he was awarded the “Golden Bull” Award for most socially provocative. He received the Good Citizen Award and The Social Justice Award from the Oklahoma Conference of Churches where he served as President. While serving in the Oklahoma Legislature Dr. Young has received numerous awards. To name a few: Special Recognition for his continuous commitment to outstanding service from the Midwest City Martin Luther King breakfast committee, 2019; Imam’s Pioneer Award 2019; Community Impact Award from a Chance to Change, 2019; and the Oklahoma Association of Nurses Anesthetists Legislative Excellence Award, 2019. Dr. Young took a moment of personal privilege to pursue a huge undertaking involving joining an exclusive organization that has been in his sight for quite some time; he became an official member of one of the divine 9; Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. in April, 2019. He continues as an adjunct professor for Phillips Theological Seminary in Tulsa. As Pastor, he initiated a partnership that sponsors the largest Back to School Block Party and School Supply Give-Away in the Northeast Quadrant of OKC. He led the church in completing a multi-million dollar senior Housing Project (Temple Gardens). Dr. Young and his late wife Dr. Thelma Chambers Young have two children and three wonderful grandsons. He is the CEO of Young Management Consulting, a mediation and nonprofit management and leadership development firm. 

    Dr. Young retired from the Oklahoma State Senate and current serves as the Senior Pastor of Mt. Carmel Baptist Church in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

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