the mayo clinic said that dr. a.c. jackson was the most able negro surgeon in america. simon berry was a businessman. his first business was a jitney service. a.j. smitherman was the editor and publisher of the tulsa star. his paper included editorials and articles really talking about social justice. >> when you think about stratford, you think about what elegance and grace looks like. >> by the beginning of 1917, i had amassed quite a fortune. i own 15 rental houses, a 16-room brick apartment building. the rental value was $350 a month. the income from other sources were triple. i had a splendid bank account and was living on the sunny side of the street. i decided to realize my fondest hope, and that was to erect a large hotel in tulsa exclusively for my people.