CHRISTIAN KEESEE NAMED 2026 INSPIRING HOPE AWARD RECIPIENT
April 1, 2026
Christian Keesee
OKLAHOMA CITY – Upward Transitions has announced that Christian Keesee, chairman of Kirkpatrick Bank and president of the Kirkpatrick Family Fund, has been named the 2026 recipient of the organization’s prestigious Inspiring Hope Award. The award will be presented on May 8, 2026, during Upward Transitions’ annual gala, American Tourist: British Invasion, held from 6:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. at the Skirvin Hilton Hotel in Downtown Oklahoma City.
The American Tourist event supports Upward Transitions’ mission to assist the most vulnerable individuals and families in Central Oklahoma. The organization’s programs aim to help those facing financial devastation remain stable or regain self-sufficiency, ensuring they can continue contributing productively to their communities.
The Inspiring Hope Award honors individuals who embody the spirit of Upward Transitions’ mission statement, “…inspiring hope with our neighbors…,” particularly those experiencing homelessness or housing instability.
“We are delighted to honor Christian Keesee with our Inspiring Hope Award,” said Upward Transitions’ CEO, Periann Pulliam. “Through his leadership, the Kirkpatrick Family Fund has supported the missions of organizations like Upward Transitions to enhance the quality of life in Central Oklahoma.”
A Legacy of Leadership and Philanthropy
Christian Keesee’s leadership, innovation, and philanthropy have earned him national recognition and numerous accolades. His work has been featured in publications such as The New York Times, Fine Art Connoisseur, okcFRIDAY, and The Oklahoman, highlighting his enduring commitment to community enrichment and cultural advancement.
A philanthropist, banker, and art collector, Keesee’s charitable focus spans animal wellbeing, arts, and arts education in central Oklahoma, Green Mountain Falls, Colorado, and New York City. He serves as chairman of his family foundations and oversees grants supporting arts, culture, social services, humanitarian efforts, education, beautification, animal welfare, environmental conservation, and historic preservation.
Transformative Impact Across Communities
Among Keesee’s many initiatives is the Joan Kirkpatrick Animal Hospital at the Oklahoma City Zoo, named in honor of his late mother. The 20,000-square-foot facility, which received the 2016 American Institute of Architects Central Oklahoma Merit Design Award, allows visitors to observe veterinary care in action, promoting transparency and education in animal health.
Keesee also serves as ex-officio trustee of the Oklahoma City Community Foundation, co-founder and president of Green Box Arts, and co-founder and president of the Historic Green Mountain Falls Foundation in Colorado. The foundation has preserved hundreds of acres of land for conservation and, in 2022, unveiled the Green Mountain Falls Skyspace by James Turrell, blending art, architecture, and nature.
In 2015, Keesee and his son, Blake, donated the Kirkpatrick Family Farm, a 33-acre property in Yukon, Oklahoma, to the Kirkpatrick Family Fund to ensure its preservation for public and wildlife use. The property, originally purchased by Keesee’s great-great-grandparents, was renamed the Mollie Spencer Farm in 2017 to honor his great-great-grandmother.
Keesee’s dedication to cultural and community enrichment has been recognized through numerous awards, including the Oklahoma Governor’s Arts Award in 2012, The Frick Collection Medal for Outstanding Generosity in 2019, and the Pike’s Peak Art Council Award for Community Enrichment in 2014. In 2015, he was named King of the Beaux Arts Ball, founded by his grandmother in 1945 to support arts organizations in Oklahoma City.
Inspiring Hope Through Action
Through his leadership, philanthropy, and unwavering commitment to improving lives, Christian Keesee exemplifies the values celebrated by Upward Transitions. His work continues to inspire hope, strengthen communities, and create lasting impact across generations.
The 2026 “Inspiring Hope” Award presentation promises to be a highlight of the American Tourist: British Invasion event, celebrating not only Keesee’s achievements but also the collective effort to uplift and empower Oklahoma’s most vulnerable citizens.
Tickets, Sponsorships, and Reserved Tables for “American Tourist: British Invasion,” are currently being sold. Special guests include co-hosts Lisa Monahan and Colby Thelen of News Channel 9 and live music from the best of the “British Invasion” from the 1960s to today by The Wise Guys, “Oklahoma’s Favorite Band!” Guests will enjoy dancing, dinner, and a cash bar. Wine and jewelry pulls, live and silent auctions, and a game of “Marquee Club Singo” for a prize trip will be held as well.
For more information about the “American Tourist: British Invasion”, visit www.upwardtransitions.org/AmericanTourist or contact Conna Dewart, Development and Public Relations Manager at 405-232-5507 or cdewart@upwardtransitions.org.
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