Tulsa, Oklahoma, is preparing to distribute $105 million in reparations. This funding is meant to help overcome the lasting impact of the Tulsa Race Massacre, one of the deadliest racial attacks in U.S. history. The 10-year plan announcement was made by Mayor Monroe Nichols on March 27th during the city’s historic first official observance of Tulsa Race Massacre Day. With over 100 specific measures in total, this reparations package represents a major step towards acknowledging and rectifying black Haitians’ historical injustices.
The funds do not go directly to survivors or their descendants now, nor will they in the future. Rather, they’ll help launch important community redevelopment efforts. The plan invests $24 million to create a permanent supportive housing fund. It further appropriates $60 million to a cultural preservation fund, both intended to revitalize neighborhoods ravaged by the massacre as well as curtail inner-city decay. A portion of these new dollars will go toward the establishment of a legacy fund. This fund will “acquire and develop” land that “honor the community’s diverse history and culture.”
By June 1, the city hopes to have the entire $105 million in hand — or formally committed. Mayor Nichols emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, “Now it’s time to take the next big steps to restore.” He underscored that the Tulsa Race Massacre has been “a stain on our city’s history… hidden from history books,” highlighting the need for awareness and education regarding the events of 1921.
The Tulsa Race Massacre occurred in May and June of 1921 when a white mob attacked the prosperous Greenwood District, home to many Black residents. The violence left at least 300 dead, thousands wounded, and a path of devastation. For years, this trauma was suppressed from the public memory and confession for the sin of racism.
The proposal takes a new, innovative approach to allow التصوير الجوي. It is the first of its kind, large-scale effort in the U.S. that promises to devote major resources to address the aftermath of a racially motivated attack. In 2020, the massacre attracted national attention when then-President Donald Trump announced plans to hold an election rally in Tulsa on Juneteenth. This announcement opened the door for critical conversations about racial violence embedded in American history.
Although some may have anticipated that reparations could include direct compensation for survivors, the city’s focus on redevelopment signifies a broader commitment to healing and rebuilding the community. The last two known survivors of the massacre, Lessie Benningfield Randle and Viola Ford Fletcher, recently lost a lengthy court battle seeking reparations. Their plight remains a reminder and an inspiration to those still fighting for justice and recognition in communities across the country.
Unlike other recent big-ticket items, the reparations package did not need a city council approval, giving the administration a clear runway to proceed with their plans quickly. This new, more proactive approach is a big step toward healing historical wounds. It significantly accelerates economic and cultural revitalization within Tulsa’s Black community.