A 1921 massacre erased Black Wall Street in Tulsa. 300 Blacks were killed, over 10,000 were left homeless and countless others fled the city in fear. Hundreds of Black owned businesses were burned to the ground. Survivors were left with nothing and $2.7 million in insurance claims were denied. Very little remains of the original Black Wall Street but a group in Tulsa is hoping to restore its last 10 buildings, with the help of the community.
The Greenwood Chamber of Commerce (GCC) is raising funds for this initiative. GCC operates in conjunction with the Greenwood Community Development Corporation (GCDC) and Greenwood Centre LTD. Collectively, the group is hoping to raise $1 million to do roof replacements on the buildings, upgrade storefronts and signage, resurface parking lots and sidewalks. In addition, the group would like to use a portion of the funds to support the Historic Greenwood Welcome Center and Guided Tours Program, the Greenwood Small Business Incubator Program, the Greenwood Upstart Funding Program and the Greenwood Leadership 2021 Program.
What GCC is attempting to do is extremely important. Far too often, Black “leaders” wait for others to show interest or invest in Black communities. GCC, however, recognizes that it is up to Black people to develop Black neighborhoods. If Black people are to live in peace and prosperity, it will be because Black people take control of their communities. Black people alone understand the needs of their communities and must cater to them, period. Rather than wait for a grant or benevolent developer, GCC is attempting to salvage what is left of Black Tulsa’s heritage and build upon it.
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