Greenwood community members gather at Fulton Book Store in Tulsa Oklahoma on May 30, 2023 for press conference and meet and greet with Viola Fletcher, aka Mother Fletcher as a part of Legacy Week celebrations. In 1921 from May 31 to June 1 a mob of White Tulsans descended onto what was known as America's "Black Wall Street" and burned it to its foundations. In their wake, an estimated 300 Black people were slain, with thousands more displaced. Along with pillars of the community like churches, businesses and schools, at least 1,256 homes were destroyed, leaving what would be $27 million today in uncompensated damages.
102 years later annual commemorations of the disaster bring descendants, and community back to honor and take part in remembering. This year saw an increase in kids in attendance with one school, KIPP driving all the way from Oklahoma City to bring their honor roll scholars to meet, talk and and witness the survivors. .
Photo of Black Wall Street Mural by artist Michael Rosato. In 2020, Dr. Tiffany Crutcher, director of the Terrance Crutcher Foundation and descendant of Tulsa Massacre survivor, Rebecca Brown Crutcher commissioned Rosato after seeing one his pieces featuring Harriet Tubman. Unveiled in 2021, the mural, lives across the street from the Greenwood community center, directly in front of the Oklahoma State University Sign -Tulsa campus sign and as Crutcher says, "serves not only as a reminder, but an invitation to remember and be mindful of how we got here and where in too many places, we still are."
On May 31, 2023 Mother Fletcher, aka Viola Fletcher attends the opening of former NBA player Kevin Johnson's "Fixins" restaurant. During the ribbon cutting ceremony Johnson spotlights the survivors and thanks them for being in attendance. At 109, Viola Fletcher (center) is the oldest of the last three remaining Tulsa Massacre survivors. Although she was only 7 the night the massacre started, 102 years later she still remembers even the smell of her home burning. Since the massacre, Greenwood AKA, "Black Wall Street" has faced deep challenges spurred by systemic inequities and oppressive policies like urban renewal and redlining, that have made for successful roadblocks in their rebuilding. Still, Greenwood residents have hope. One source of this hope stems from investors like Johnson pouring into the community's economy.
Army veteran and Tulsa native Terrence Gaines stands outside Fulton Street Books talking with his cousins Roberta and Rodney Gaines on May 30, 2023 after attending Tulsa massacre survivor Viola Fletcher's press conference and meet and greet during the Legacy Week. Although Terrence was born in Tulsa, like the lineages of hundreds of other Tulsans who were displaced following the 1921 massacre and unsuccessful efforts to rebuild, his parents moved to Los Angeles. His grandparents, who were survivors of the massacre, passed on their history and as Gaines says,"made it impossible to forget." It's this reason, remembering what his folks went through in Tulsa, and his family made it to LA that inspired his too. "Both these places are my home. When they're this connected, you can't just rep one.", said Gaines.
Welcome sign outside of The Historic Mt. Vernon AME Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma on June 1, 2023. In 1921 from May 31 to June 1 a mob of White Tulsans descended onto what was known as America's "Black Wall Street" and burned it to its foundations. The sign is a new addition, a part of long awaited renovations to the building that was partially destroyed when the burning started. During the siege church and community members fleeing the fray alike hid in the basement of the church as the roof and main body of the church burned through the night. The church, now an historic site, stands a testament to what community members call "Greenwood's resiliency
At 108 years old Lessie Randle, affectionately known Mother Randle by her family and community is the second eldest of the three remaining 1921 Massacre survivors. On May 31, 2023 she along with the other survivors attended the opening of former NBA player Kevin Johnson's "Fixins" restaurant in Tulsa Oklahoma. She attended the opening with her grand daughter, Ladonna Penny.
Outside of the Greenwood Rising Black Wall Street history center, on June 1, 2023. The center, which opened to the public in 2020, bears James Baldwin's quote: “Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.”