Tulsa’s 1921 Awards support Black entrepreneurs, honor Black Wall Street

A Tulsa nonprofit is celebrating the legacy of Black Wall Street by putting real money into the hands of entrepreneurs who reflect that history’s innovative spirit.

This year, eight Tulsans will be awarded nearly $3,800 each through the 1921 Awards — a grant program from the organization Build in Tulsa, in partnership with the nonprofit 1921 Sankofa. The initiative is designed to recognize and fund Black business owners who are driving both economic growth and community change.

Honoring Black Excellence Through the 1921 Awards

The 1921 Awards take their name from the year of the Tulsa Race Massacre, which destroyed the thriving Black business district known as Black Wall Street.

Initially, recipients were awarded $1,921 — a symbolic nod to the year — but thanks to the new partnership with 1921 Sankofa, that amount has now been doubled, giving each awardee nearly $3,800 to invest back into their business.

Ashli Sims, managing director of Build in Tulsa, says the funding is just one part of a bigger mission.

“Through the 1921 Awards program, we’ve helped more than a dozen businesses,” Sims said. “From folks like Le Roux’s Kitchen, we’ve seen them continue to grow and serve more customers through their partnership with the Mother Road Market.”

Funding the Future: What the Program Supports

The award is open to entrepreneurs who not only run strong businesses but also demonstrate a commitment to uplifting their communities. Build in Tulsa is looking for leaders who can turn capital into sustainable impact.

Sims says the program arrives at a critical time.

“It’s a really challenging time to have a startup or small business,” she said. “This is one of the ways Build in Tulsa can honor the founding of our organization and inject some capital into these businesses.”

More Than Money: Free Resources for Entrepreneurs

Beyond the cash award, the organization also offers support services to help entrepreneurs grow. That includes one-on-one business coaching, a free accounting course, and access to tools to scale operations sustainably.

Sims hopes the awards encourage more entrepreneurs to tap into these resources, even if they don’t win this year.

How to Apply or Nominate

The eight recipients of this year’s 1921 Award have not yet been selected.

Nominations remain open through May 5. Anyone can submit a name — even nominate themselves — by visiting the 1921 Awards page.