Much of the acrimony in Tulsa revolves around the issue of reparations for the 1921 race massacre, which left as many as 300 dead, 10,000 homeless and destroyed one of the most prosperous Black neighborhoods in the country.
Dancers and students turned out the participate and attend the Black Wall Street Memorial March, which kicked off the Black Wall Street Legacy Festival on Friday.
It s actually accomplishing what we always started out wanting to do, that this would not just be what some would refer to as a one-and-done, or a Kumbaya moment where OK, we sang, we held hands, now everybody go back home. This is a commemorative year . even into the fall with Tulsa Ballet doing a full production and bringing African American artists and dancers from New York and an African American choreographer for a full production about the history of Greenwood, said Phil Armstrong, project director for the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Centennial Commission. This is the beginning. This is not just a time when we do this and never talk about it again. This is a launchpad: Every year we are going to look forward to commemorating and having some type of event that remembers and honors this history.
Greenwood Business Owners Prepare For Tulsa Race Massacre Centennial Events
As Greenwood businesses and event organizers prepare for the Tulsa Race Massacre centennial, they hope people will continue to learn about the massacre even after the weekend.
Some Greenwood business owners said the 100th anniversary will be one of the most important things to ever happen in Tulsa.
Signs are up and last-minute preparations being made as Tulsa s Greenwood District prepares for a week in the national spotlight.
“This is a terrific opportunity for businesses across the city, said Venita Cooper, owner of Silhouette Sneakers & Art.
The Black Wall Street Legacy festival will host events Thursday through Monday, including local musicians, speeches, marches, and art unveilings to amplify black Tulsans.
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