FC Tulsa to debut special jersey honoring Greenwood District

FC Tulsa will pay tribute to the city's historic Greenwood District during its match against Birmingham Legion FC on Saturday, May 31, at 7:30 p.m. Players will wear a limited-edition jersey designed by local artist and entrepreneur Trey Thaxton.

A Collaboration Honoring Black Wall Street

Thaxton, the founder of Greenwood Ave, said the project reflects the legacy and entrepreneurial spirit of Black Wall Street.

"Greenwood Ave, of course, is a celebration of Black Wall Street and the entrepreneurial spirit that built it and still lives on today," Thaxton said. "It’s a collaboration between our brand Greenwood Ave and FC Tulsa, Black Players for Change, which is a national organization of Black players in the MLS and the USL who are celebrating Black entrepreneurship and that history all around the world today."

A Jersey With Purpose

Thaxton said this is the first of his jersey designs to be worn on the field, describing the experience as a childhood dream come true.

"Being a designer, you know, growing up in high school, working for the NBA or Nike was like a dream of mine," he said. "So the kid in me is smiling on the inside, being able to design a jersey that’s going to be worn by players on the field."

Image Provided By: Trey Thaxton

The jersey features a black-to-bold orange gradient, meant to symbolize rebirth.

"People think [the fire] destroyed the spirit of Black Wall Street, but to me it’s really what rebirth, a new generation, a new resurrection of Black Wall Street," Thaxton said. "That’s what this orange represents, and the dust on the bottom is that rising from the ashes."

Image Provided By: Trey Thaxton

Legacy Woven Into Every Stitch

If fans look closely, they’ll find more than just patterns on the jersey.

"You’ll see these small words and inscribes that are actually the names of the almost 200 businesses that were burned in that massacre," he said.

A Personal Mission

For Thaxton, the project is more than just a design. It’s a tribute to his roots and a message for future generations.

"It’s definitely always an honor to be able to do something in our city and for our city that represents Greenwood and what it meant being a Tulsan for over 26 years," he said. "It means something to be able to be a part of this history and this rebirth and regeneration."

Thaxton added that he hopes to inspire others, especially his own children.

"With two young kids who are growing up, and my daughter just started a bracelet business, I want to again inspire everyone that this is about purpose for me. It’s a purpose brand. Greenwood Ave is a purpose brand."

Preserving History Through Action

As conversations continue about turning Greenwood into a national park, Thaxton emphasized the importance of preserving Black history.

RELATED STORY: Senate approves bill to establish national monument honoring Greenwood District

"In a time in our country, in our city, in our state where history and Black history is being destroyed and taken away and reversed and erased, the only way to keep it going is to continue making it ourselves," he said. "This is what that represents—a way to remember the past, honor the past, but also make sure that our history is not taken away."

"Dr. Tiffany Crutcher always says that Greenwood is an active crime scene," he said. "While people are still literally fighting for justice 104 years later, I am again honored and blessed and humbled to be a part of hopefully helping people recognize and remember that this is still a fight."

Jerseys Available For Purchase

The jerseys will be available at FCTulsa.com and a limited number will be sold through GreenwoodAve.com over the weekend.