Mayor Nichols unveils ‘Road to Repair’ plan during Tulsa Race Massacre Observance Day

As part of the City of Tulsa’s first official Tulsa Race Massacre Observance Day, Mayor Monroe Nichols announced a new initiative aimed at fostering unity and addressing the impact of one of the darkest chapters in U.S. history.

The event, titled Road to Repair, will took place Sunday at the historic Greenwood Cultural Center, located at 322 N. Greenwood Ave. The program began at 2:30 p.m., with Mayor Nichols delivering his remarks at 3:30 p.m.

The announcement outlined key steps the city will take to help repair multi-generational harm caused by the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, in which a thriving Black community was destroyed by racial violence. Nichols' plan is being positioned as a major component in the city's long-term strategy to promote healing and reconciliation.

In March, Mayor Nichols declared June 1 an annual day of observance, encouraging residents, schools, businesses, and organizations to honor the victims and reflect on the massacre’s legacy through events, educational programs, and community engagement.

Sunday’s Road to Repair event served as the culmination of the observance and was open to the public.

News On 6 streamed the announcement live.

Road to Repair

Tulsa Race Massacre Impact and Legacy

1. "The Massacre was fueled by hate."
2. "Imagine if Greenwood would’ve continued without tragedy."
3. "There’s not one Tulsan who would not be better off without the Massacre."
4. "This isn’t just a Tulsa story, this is an American Story."

Recognition of Advocacy and Congressional Support

1. Mayor Nichols thanked Senator Lankford for keeping the story of Greenwood alive in the halls of congress.

Executive Action and Official Observance

1. Mayor Nichols signed an executive order making June 1st the official Tulsa Race Massacre Observance Day.

Announcement of the Greenwood Trust

1. Housing Fund, $24 million – This fund will benefit the residents of Greenwood and North Tulsa. It will assist in furthering the implementation of community recommendations centered on housing and homeownership benefits for Race Massacre survivors and their descendants.
2. Cultural Preservation Fund, $60 million – This fund will go toward improving buildings, reducing blight, and helping implement certain aspects of the Kirkpatrick Heights-Greenwood Master Plan.
3. Legacy Fund, $21 million – This fund will allow for the development of trust-owned land and acquisition of land for the benefit of Race Massacre survivors and descendants. A part of these monies would help in the creation of a scholarship funding structure for descendants to get Tulsa children on a stronger educational pathway. Another portion of the funds will go toward the support of small business and organizational grants to further economic development in North Tulsa and the Historic Greenwood District.

Mass Graves Investigation and Closure for Families

1. Mayor Nichols is also continuing the work to bring closure to the families of the victims in their commitment to the mass graves investigation.
2. 200 graves have not been known to us from the massacre have been found. "We’re confident that we’re close to identifying more victims."
3. "Our effort is not to assign blame. It’s not simply to dig up the past, but this is about bringing closure to families."

Release of Historical Records

1. On the recommendation from Justice for Greenwood Mayor Nichols announced more than 45,000 historical and relevant records directly related to the massacre to be published.
2. These documents can be seen at https://www.cityoftulsa.org/mayor/road-to-repair/

Call to Action

1. On top of this historic announcement, Mayor Nichols said he is also committed to standing alongside advocates that have been fighting for justice for years
2. “It’s time we get our house in order.”