University of Tulsa to host event on race, wealth and reparations

The University of Tulsa’s Center for Heterodox Economics is hosting a public event Friday aimed at tackling the connections between race, wealth, and the U.S. economic system.

The program, titled “Closing the Gap: Race, Wealth, and Reparations,” is part of the center’s broader mission to challenge conventional economic thinking and promote conversations that connect policy to real-life outcomes.

A deeper look at inequality

The event will feature panel discussions led by experts including Dr. Tiffany Crutcher of the Terrence Crutcher Foundation. The panel will explore racial wealth disparities and how systemic issues—from incarceration to generational poverty—are shaped by economic forces.

TU Professor Clara Mattei, who directs the center, said the event is intended to provide both data and context.

“These data points need to be explored... need to be studied in their connection to our economy,” Mattei said. “The idea is to bring an empowering message... to say, how can we actually move forward for something different?”

Tulsa’s role in the national conversation

Mattei described Tulsa as a local reflection of national and global economic challenges. She said it’s crucial for communities to understand how systems like capitalism affect everything from healthcare access to incarceration rates.

“Mental health problems, addiction, household violence, poverty, discrimination... these are all connected to how our economic system operates,” she said. “Certain groups feel the pressure of our economy more than others.”

Education through dialogue

Mattei said the event is meant to create a safe space for tough but necessary conversations. She hopes it encourages attendees to connect personal experiences with broader economic patterns—and to consider the role of community organizations already working toward solutions.

“We have local initiatives like the Crutcher Foundation and many others... giving a voice to marginalized communities in Tulsa,” she said.

Event details

What: “Closing the Gap: Race, Wealth, and Reparations”

Where: 101 Archer Building, downtown Tulsa

When: Friday, May 16, doors open at 6 p.m.

Cost: Free and open to the public

What’s Next for the Center?

The “Closing the Gap” event is part of a larger effort by TU’s Center for Heterodox Economics to bring economic discussions into the public sphere. This fall, the center plans to host additional programs focused on topics such as:

1. Food sovereignty
2. The political economy of mass incarceration
3. The impact of budget cuts and privatization on everyday life

Center director Clara Mattei says the goal is to connect issues that often feel separate and show how they’re tied together through economic systems. She believes conversations about economics shouldn’t be left to experts alone.

“These are issues that affect all of us, and the community should play a role in shaping the conversation,” Mattei said.

The center is also welcoming new voices. Anyone interested in participating as a panelist or contributor is encouraged to reach out.