Tulsans Busy Trying To Save History, Greenwood Cultural Center

The fight to save the Greenwood Cultural Center continues.

This weekend, organizations hosted a slew of entertainment activities, including a car show, where all proceeds will go back into the center.

It looks like fun and games, but it's all for a purpose: To keep the Greenwood Cultural Center alive.

"The Greenwood Cultural Center is such an important piece to this community," Kristi Williams, of Individuals Car Club said. " It not only houses all the artifacts from the 1921 Race Riots, but they have programs here for kids. Free programs."

The center is facing major budget cuts.

Board Chairman Dwain Midget says they need $90,000 to survive through June.

That's where the Individuals Car Club stepped in, hosting a car and bike show as a fundraiser.

"To shut this place down, no, no, no," Tulsa resident Aaron Palmer said.

For Palmer, the Greenwood Cultural Center is more than history.

His grandmother owned an old North Tulsa restaurant, Georgola's Cafe.

She passed away four years ago and until now, he hasn't seen her, or even a picture of her, in 27 years.

"This is the only place we have of memories of my grandmother," Palmer said. "You know, I could come and see her every day now. I can see her every day. I could actually look and see my grandmother."

As a little boy, Palmer would come to the center and enjoy everything it has to offer.

"It's a lot of history," Palmer said. "I mean, you just don't know the stories and the good times… You see I'm so excited right now that, I mean, I came to see a car show and… I didn't know that my grandmother would be standing here waiting. And she's here in this place."

Those at the car show said the center must stay alive for the black children in Tulsa.

"It's important for the youth to be able to have some place to come and at least see some of their culture, because it's almost like a history museum inside, too." Tulsa resident Johnny Hubbard said.

The car show raked in $1,700. All of that money will go back into the Greenwood Cultural Center.

3/8/2012 Related Story: Tulsa Church Donates Offering To Greenwood Cultural Center