'Resilient Tulsa' Aims To Create More Opportunities For All Citizens

TULSA, Okla. - Two years ago Tulsa city leaders created a plan called "Resilient Tulsa."

More than two thousand citizens gave input on a list of programs designed to improve the lives of all Tulsans.

As thousands of people march and rally in Tulsa in support of the black lives matter movement, the City of Tulsa is continuing work with its "resilient Tulsa" roadmap.

It's a strategy that outlines four goals to create more opportunities for all Tulsans.

"There's a recognition of our past and wanting to learn from it, and recognizing that we have a lot of work to do, to make the city an equitable place for everyone, so everyone has a shot at a healthy and great life," Chief Resilience Officer Krystal Reyes said.

Reyes says the plan outlines 41 specific programs and events to support people who live in Tulsa.

29 of those are ongoing, like 918 day, expanding neighborhood action plans, implicit bias training for city employees including officers, and improving the way the city welcomes immigrants to Tulsa.

Others will begin in the next couple of years -- like city improvements in Black Wall Street, and a student summer job program to address the lack of gender and racial diversity in stem fields.

"We have some exciting things coming down the pipe this year, about individual financial empowerment," Reyes said.

Reyes says that will include, be free, professional one-on-one financial counseling.

She says these programs are designed to improve the quality of life for all Tulsans.

"The City of Tulsa, the city government, this administration, is wanting to partner with communities," Reyes said.