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Voices of OKC

Voices of OKC

By: Jed Chappell
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About this listen

Voices of OKC is a podcast born in the heart of Oklahoma City, recorded inside the brand-new studio at City Center — a space created to amplify the voices and stories shaping our community.

Hosted by Jed Chappell, whose own journey of redemption and transformation fuels his passion for service, Voices of OKC shines a light on the people and stories that bring hope, healing, and change to our city. From community leaders to everyday heroes, each episode is an authentic conversation about resilience, faith, and the power of second chances.


City Center — located in the heart of OKC — is more than just a building; it’s a hub of hope where families and youth find resources, mentorship, and support. The Voices of OKC studio extends that mission, giving our community a platform to share stories that inspire and connect.


Join us as we celebrate Oklahoma City through the lens of hope, one voice at a time.

© 2025 Voices of OKC
Economics Management Management & Leadership Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Julie Chappell Dignity First: Building a Culture of Hope
    Oct 21 2025

    When Julie Chappell was a single mom in college, she needed help—and found a system that made getting help feel small. Years later, she co-founded City Center and built the opposite: a culture that treats people with dignity, removes barriers, and meets needs in ways that restore agency.

    In this conversation, Julie and Jed talk about:

    • From scarcity to systems: How a dehumanizing pantry experience (≈[00:04:15]) shaped City Center’s resource model—no shaming, no hoops, just care.
    • The “hope season”: Serving others while climbing out of poverty herself (≈[00:11:22]) and how that empathy informs daily decisions.
    • Shoes, meals, belonging: What dignity looks like on the ground—brand-new shoes without embarrassment, warm meals shared at tables, neighbor-to-neighbor connection.
    • The Christmas blueprint: Why City Center shops each kid’s wish list individually and delivers wrapped gifts so parents can lead their own traditions (≈[00:18:59–00:19:50]).
    • Community as home: Block parties, backpacks, Thanksgiving dinners, and a center that feels like family (≈[00:21:31]).
    • Love as a verb: Making compassion operational and measurable—and why “how we deliver” matters as much as “what we deliver” (≈[00:21:31–00:25:25]).

    Key Quotes:

    • “I decided I’d never let anyone feel that here.” ([00:04:15])
    • “We shop for each child individually—something they want and something they need.” ([00:19:03])
    • “City Center is a home for the community.” ([00:21:31])
    • “Love is a verb.” ([00:25:25])

    Take Action: Volunteer • Donate • Join a block party • Support the Christmas initiative
    Links: [Volunteer] [Donate] [Events] [Instagram] [Facebook] [YouTube]

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    27 mins
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