TULSA, Okla. — In a historic move, Tulsa’s newly elected Mayor Monroe Nichols has unveiled an ambitious proposal aimed at addressing the historical injustices stemming from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. Announced on Sunday, the plan includes establishing a $100 million private trust fund designed to support scholarships and housing initiatives for the descendants of massacre victims, in an effort to acknowledge one of the most harrowing racial attacks in U.S. history.
As Oklahoma’s second-largest city’s first Black mayor, Nichols introduced this initiative at the Greenwood Cultural Center, situated in what was formerly a vibrant district in North Tulsa—a locale destroyed during the infamous attack by a white mob. Nichols, choosing not to refer to the plan as reparations, described it instead as a “road to repair,” steering clear of politically charged dialogue surrounding reparations.
Nichols emphasized the gravity of this historical event, remarking, “For 104 years, the Tulsa Race Massacre has marred our city’s legacy.” He noted the subsequent systemic injustices, such as redlining and infrastructure choices that economically isolated the district. “It’s time now to take significant steps towards restoration.”
Though the initiative doesn’t necessitate city council approval, Nichols acknowledges the council’s need to authorize any city property transfers to the trust. His goal is to accumulate $105 million for the private charitable trust by June 1, 2026, focusing on revitalization projects with $60 million earmarked for the development and revitalization of North Tulsa’s infrastructure.
The mayor’s proposal, which follows his earlier declaration of June 1 as Tulsa Race Massacre Observance Day, aims to restore the area’s economic potential, historically a center of commerce. This initiative hopes to reignite an economic prowess that once rivaled anywhere globally.
However, Nichols recognizes the challenging national political environment, particularly given recent federal attitudes towards diversity and inclusion programs. Yet, he remains committed to pursuing this cause despite political hurdles. “The broader national conversation presents a tough environment, but it doesn’t deter us from our work,” Nichols stated.
Jacqueline Weary, whose grandfather, John R. Emerson, Sr., a business owner in Greenwood, lost his livelihood during the massacre, expresses the emotional and economic impact of the violence. She concerns herself with the intergenerational wealth that was obliterated by the mob’s actions, questioning what their family’s status might have been if not for the attack.
While Tulsa is not trailblazing in discussing reparations, it joins places like Evanston, Illinois, which implemented reparations funded by recreational marijuana taxes. Other entities, from various U.S. states to religious denominations and universities, have also explored reparative measures.
Presently, only two known survivors remain from the massacre: 110-year-old Lessie Benningfield Randle and 111-year-old Viola Fletcher. Both attended Nichols’ announcement and have received financial support from philanthropic organizations, though none from the city or state. Legal efforts spearheaded by attorney Damario Solomon-Simmons for additional righting of historical wrongs are ongoing, despite setbacks such as the Oklahoma Supreme Court’s rejection of a lawsuit seeking financial restitution for survivors.
The movement towards reparative action in Tulsa is complex, seeking to balance historical responsibility with tangible community rebuilding efforts, envisioned to heal and empower those historically wronged by systemic racism and violence.