Last Sunday I went to the Greenwood Cultural Center because I didn’t know what the mayor was going to say.
I’d snooped around a bit beforehand, texting a few people who’d know what he might say, and got nothing. Ever since February when Mayor Nichols publicly indicated support for Project Greenwood, I’d wondered what shape that support would take.
So I joined a few hundred other people in the big room at the cultural center on the 104th anniversary of the Tulsa Race Massacre; they mostly seemed as curious as I was. This was a mix of residents, activists, business owners, politicos and other community leaders. Some had come from across the country, others from down the street. Many were descendants of Massacre survivors.
Special guests were recognized, in particular Lessie Benningfield Randle, one of the last two known survivors of the Massacre. She was resplendent in her Sunday best, wearing red and black with a feather in her derby hat as she sat close to the stage.
The event was something of a summit on the state of Greenwood, with programming led by a who’s who of North Tulsa. There was Pastor Jamaal Dyer of Friendship Church, State Sen. Regina Goodwin who recognized students benefiting from a $1.5 million state scholarship fund, State Rep. Ronald Stewart, and City Councilor Vanessa Hall-Harper, who provided an overview of the results of the Beyond Apology Commission, noting that “justice is elusive.” Hall-Harper reminded the room of the dozens of other U.S. cities where white residents destroyed the lives, property and livelihoods of their black neighbors.
Then Mayor Nichols began to speak. His analysis of the massacre’s long-term fallout was sympathetic and just. “There is not one Tulsan, regardless of their skin color, who wouldn't be better off today had the Massacre not happened or if generations before had done the work to restore what was lost,” he said.
He then announced the creation of a private charitable trust charged with raising, overseeing and distributing millions of dollars to put toward economic growth in Greenwood, north Tulsa and surrounding neighborhoods, with a focus on addressing the disparities caused by the Tulsa Race Massacre. From the Tulsa World:
The Greenwood Trust’s initial fundraising goal is to have $105 million in assets secured or committed by the time the city commemorates the 105th anniversary of the massacre on June 1, 2026.
Possible funding sources include philanthropic donations, property transferred to the trust, and public funding, if so authorized by the mayor and City Council.
But he also mentioned one other thing that caught my eye. The city released for the first time thousands of municipal records pertaining to the massacre. I spent a little time with them this week and got spooked by the pedestrian nature of the Board of Commissioners meeting minutes in the week afterward. From a June 7, 1921 meeting:
Justice is elusive. This year will see a public discussion of reparations that’s been deferred for over a hundred years. As Councilor Hall-Harper said on Sunday, “It’s gonna get hot in Tulsa.” She wasn’t talking about the weather.
Tulsa News
- Tulsa Tough starts today! Read our guide to get up to date on all the crits, fondos, parties and best spots to watch the races.
- Speaking of guides, we’ve got two more up this week! Our big summer guide is live and stocked with tips on festivals, daytrips, music and comedy, pools and more! Meanwhile, First Friday is tonight, act accordingly.
- Soundpony has been sold(!) to longtime employee(!!) Amelia Pullen.
- Blue Whale Comedy Festival announces David Cross and Hannibal Buress as headliners, tickets on sale now.
- We’re wishing the best for Symon Hajjar of Hot Toast Music, who’s been hospitalized and undergone surgery.
- Max Comer (aka @airplanefactswithmax) goes global with a story on CNN International. Revisit our profile of the Tolkien-obsessed airplane mechanic.
- Doctor Kustom, the James Beard finalist and Brazilian food startup which previously lived in Mother Road Market, has re-opened in its new spot at 1102 S Lewis Ave Suite C.
- The Indiana Pacers were diverted to Tulsa on their way to OKC for the NBA Finals on Tuesday due to storms in the OKC area.
State & Regional News
- The Thunder dropped Game 1 of the NBA Finals last night to the Indiana Pacers, 111-110.
- A bunch of dorks each paid $300 to larp the Russia-Ukraine war in rural northern Oklahoma.
- Collinsville sees population growth of 21.6% from 2020 to 2024.
- State Attorney General Gentner Drummond takes the low road, calling for expulsion of Afghan refugees. Polling shows he’s the frontrunner to be our next governor.
- Newly opened OKC restaurant recognized by Southern Living.
Jobs and Opportunities
- The Common Good is hiring an Early Childhood Program Manager | Full-time | Salary: $55,000-65,000
- Oklahoma Center for Humanities is hiring a Special Programs Coordinator | Full-time | Salary not listed
- Emergency Infant Services seeks a Director of Development | Full-time | Salary: $85,000.00 - $100,000
- Discovery Lab is hiring a Venue & Events Coordinator | Full-time | Hourly rate $17.97 - $24.26
- Bama is hiring for a Director of Engineering | Full-time | Salary not listed
- Tulsa Public Schools is seeking an Academic Content Manager in Fine Arts | Full-time | Salary not listed
- The University of Tulsa is hiring a Curriculum Designer | Full-time | Salary not listed
