Black Wall Street Legacy Fest Honors Survivors With Church Service

Oklahomans are remembering victims of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre with a week of events.

Sunday, May 28th 2023, 9:19 pm

By: News On 6, Kaitlyn Deggs


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Oklahomans are remembering victims of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre with a week of events.

This week marks 102 years since the massacre.

Sunday, dozens gathered for a memorial church service at the Vernon AME Church in Greenwood.

Warner Randle, Jr. was at the service to honor his mother, Leslie Benningfield Randle, one of the survivors of the 1921 Race Massacre.

"It's very important,” said Randle. “I'm here to support my mother and the other two survivors."

Related Story: Historic Greenwood Church Holds Memorial Service In Remembrance Of Tulsa Race Massacre

Keith Mayes, the Pastor of the Vernon AME Church, says he hopes the visitors take away that while looking back and remembering is important, so is preparing for the future.

"We're coming together not so concerned about where we come from, but where we're going,” said Mayes. “And so the Legacy Fest is not about the destruction, it's not about the pain, but it's about the resilience, it's about the recovery, it's about the renewal, it's about going forward."

Mayes says going forward means thinking about ways to keep bringing the Greenwood community back to life.

"What I want to see again is some more ownership, from local people here, who will contribute back to the community so that it could be not what it was in 1921 but be beyond what it was in 1921," said Mayes.

Mayes hopes all Tulsans take this message to heart.

"What happened in 1921 was not just an indictment against black people, it was an indictment against all,” said Mayes. “And God wants us to heal from the inside-out."

Randle says he's thankful for events like this that honor the legacy of Greenwood and survivors like his mother.

"Praise, and fellowship, and just being thankful, for another day,” said Randle.

The Black Wall Street Legacy Festival runs until Thursday.

For a list of events and more information, CLICK HERE

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