Greenwood Rising Hosts Black History Month Events

Greenwood Rising in Tulsa tells stories of the glory of Black Wall Street before the Tulsa race massacre, the details of what happened in 1921 and how the community rebuilds from here.

Project Director, Director Phil Armstrong said the one of the most important rooms here is a simple space full of seating and bright lights.

It is a space for the community to come together and have difficult, but powerful conversations.

"There will be topics about reparations, mass graves, education, policing- difficult conversations that sometimes people don't know how to have. We really want to be a meeting place and a meeting space for people to be able to come voice their honest opinions and get the answers they are seeking," said Calah McQuarters, Greenwood Rising.

"There aren't many safe spaces for conversations like this to be had," said James Parker, Greenwood Rising.

The first of these conversations is happening on February 12.

"It is with Dr. Carlos Seal. He just put out a book last year in 2021 about the Tulsa Race Massacre so he will have a conversation here at Greenwood Rising at 2pm. He is just going to be talking about that history, the lessons learned and where we go from here, 100 years later," said McQuarters.

The conversation is part of a Black History Month celebration hosted by Greenwood Rising.

"We came up with a three week ordeal. It is Education week, community service week and faith week," said McQuarters.

Organizers said they planned a month full of COVID friendly conversations, book donations, games and challenges for people all over the community and the country to join in.

A month full of black history, education and ways to uplift the Tulsa community.

"If we are going to continue moving forward then we have to have those conversations now about what the future is going to look like," added McQuarters. "How we use the past to create a better, brighter, more united future."