J. Blake Wade's many honors reflect a life spent making Oklahoma stronger. From military service to public leadership, his work has left a lasting mark on our state. A decorated Vietnam veteran, Oklahoma Hall of Fame inductee, and respected public leader, Mr. Wade has spent his life serving the people and communities he loves.

His work includes leadership of the Oklahoma Historical Society, Oklahoma's Centennial Commemoration, and the development of the First Americans Museum. Today, he continues to serve as Executive Director of the Native American Cultural and Educational Authority. His legacy can be seen across our state, but some of his most meaningful work has happened beyond the public eye, one person at a time.

Since beginning his own recovery in 1983, Mr. Wade has dedicated himself to helping others find recovery and building stronger pathways to care through initiatives like the FIRSTEP Recovery Program and efforts to help bring Arcadia Trails Treatment Center to Oklahoma. His commitment to this work is rooted in experiences that have shaped his life, giving him a deep understanding of the ways addiction affects families.

Mr. Wade has received many of Oklahoma's highest honors. Time and again he has chosen to use each platform not only to accept the recognition, but also to share the role recovery has played in his own life. He has made it easier for others to ask for help, knowing that every step toward recovery has the power to change a family's future and shape the Oklahoma we leave to the next generation.

For his courage, his willingness to heal out loud, and the lives changed because he did, Peaceful Family Oklahoma is honored to present J. Blake Wade with the Heal Out Loud Award.

Created in 2023, the Heal Out Loud Award honors an Oklahoman who has used the impact of addiction in their own life to challenge the stigma that surrounds the disease and make it easier for others to ask for help.

Peaceful Family Oklahoma helps kids grow stronger when addiction is a part of their family's story. One in four children shares that story and is eight times more likely to develop a substance use disorder themselves without early support. Our peer-to-peer programs create opportunities for children to realize they are among others who understand what they're experiencing. That connection becomes the foundation for confidence, healthy coping, and the belief that their future can be different.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

OFFICERS

Mary Rykard | Chair
Michael Barcum | Chairman Emeritus
Tuesday Fay, Allied ASID, RCID | Vice-Chair
Dennis Packard, CFP | Treasurer
Mark Burson| Secretary
Paul Ingram, J.D. | Past Chair

DIRECTORS

Amanda Dunning
Jessica Heiderstadt
Jennifer Larsen
Aaron Owen, CPC, ACG
Ted Streuli
Geetika Verma, MD

SPONSOR TODAY and join Peaceful Family Oklahoma’s mission to help kids grow stronger when addiction is a part of their family’s story. 

Registration deadline to receive full benefits is Friday, September 11, 2026.

2023

Reggie Whitten

2024

Mike Barcum