TBC Magazine 50 Under 50 on Newsstands March 19

OKLAHOMA CITY — Who are the rising Black stars in Oklahoma, the next generation that is currently making waves? Find out on March 12, when The Black Chronicle publishes the latest edition of TBC Magazine: 50 Under 50: Up Next.
The magazine will shine a light on young community leaders in business, education, sports and more.
First Up: Coach Darwin Franklin, Math Instructional Coach, Assistant AD and Head Football Coach at Millwood High School in Oklahoma City.
A proud graduate of Millwood High School – Class of 1995 – Franklin returned to his alma mater to lead the football program, where he has served as Head Football Coach for the past 13 years. Under his leadership, the program has been built on the pillars of discipline, character development, academic achievement, and competitive success.
Beyond his coaching duties, Franklin is a Math Instructional Coach and mathematics instructor with 23 years of experience in education, dedicated to enhancing instructional practices, supporting teachers, and improving student achievement. He currently serves as Secretary and Treasurer of the Oklahoma Football Coaches Association (OFBCA) and was the association’s inaugural Minority Chair, where he worked to advance representation, equity, and professional development within the coaching community. Demonstrating a continued commitment to mentorship and leadership development, Franklin is also the founder of the newly formed Minority Oklahoma Coaches Association (MOCA), an organization focused on expanding opportunities and providing meaningful guidance to minority coaches. Further reflecting his dedication to educational leadership, he was selected as a member of Oklahoma’s first cohort of the National Institute for School Leadership (NISL), an honor that underscores his commitment to systemic improvement and school excellence.
Also on the list of 50 Under 50 is Haylie Calicott, MBA, Vice President and Business Development Officer and a Mortgage Loan Officer at First Security Bank & Trust Company, Oklahoma’s only Black-owned bank. With more than a decade of experience in the financial services industry, Calicott has built a career spanning banking operations, commercial and residential lending, credit analysis, customer experience, compliance collaboration, and community development. Her comprehensive understanding of the banking ecosystem allows her to effectively bridge strategy, execution, and relationship-driven service.
Calicott completed her secondary education at Harding Charter Preparatory High School in 2014 and earned her Associate of Arts degree from Rose State College in 2016. She later obtained a Bachelor of General Studies with a minor in Business Administration from the University of Central Oklahoma in 2021, followed by a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Leadership from John Brown University in 2023.
In her current role, Calicott focuses on strategic business development, mortgage lending, and community engagement, with a strong emphasis on Northeast Oklahoma City’s Eastend District. She is deeply committed to financial education, homeownership, and small-business growth, and is known for building authentic relationships rooted in trust, accessibility, and long-term impact.
Next up on the 50 Under 50 list is Thurmond Relerford, Business Development Officer for Tinker Federal Credit Union.
Relerford’s professional journey spans over 18 years at Tinker Federal Credit Union, where he has held roles in business development, digital product management, research analysis, and marketing. His work has contributed to revenue growth, improved member experiences, and the successful rollout of new technologies — including digital systems enhancements and interactive teller machine (ITM) innovations. He is a three‑time TFCU Service Star Solution Award recipient, recognized for excellence in service, creativity, and organizational impact.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Relerford is deeply committed to community service. He serves on the board of the Oklahoma City Metro Literacy Coalition, supporting literacy initiatives that uplift families and expand educational access across the metro area. He has also volunteered for nearly a decade as a Big Brother with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Oklahoma, mentoring youth and helping them realize their potential through consistent guidance and positive experiences.
A proud graduate of Oklahoma City University with a bachelor’s degree in communications, Relerford blends his love of technology, storytelling, and service to create meaningful connections wherever he goes.
Also included in the 50 Under 50 list is Aaron “AJ” Johnson, the Owner & CEO of Oasis Fresh Market, a purpose-driven grocery enterprise transforming food access in underserved communities.
In 2021, Johnson opened Oasis Fresh Market in North Tulsa, steps from the Historic Greenwood District; once known as Black Wall Street. For more than 14 years, the area had been classified as a food desert. When Johnson learned that residents in the community had a life expectancy 11 years shorter than neighboring areas, he made a determination: access to fresh food is not a privilege; it’s infrastructure.
Oasis was built to eradicate food deserts through retail innovation, strategic partnerships, and community-centered design. More than a grocery store, Oasis serves as a hub for health, economic mobility, and dignity. The company connects families to fresh, affordable food while integrating wraparound resources that strengthen long-term community outcomes.
Under Johnson’s leadership, Oasis is redefining what a neighborhood grocery model can look like blending mission with operational discipline and scalable strategy. His vision extends beyond Tulsa: to create a nationally replicable model that changes how America addresses food deserts.
Johnson is a graduate of The University of Tulsa and was named a Distinguished Alumnus in recognition of his leadership and impact.
That’s just an introduction to a few of the rising stars to be recognized in TBC Magazine: Up Next. Buy your copy on March 12 to learn what else these young luminaries have accomplished, and who else is included on the list of 50 Under 50: Up Next!