100 years-Tulsa Race Massacre “The Black Wall Street"

The Greenwood District demolised after the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre.

Source: GHI Universal History Archive/Getty

May 31st marks 100 years since the massacre of black residents in the Greenwood District of Tulsa, Ok, now called “The Black Wall Street".

Over 800 people were injured during the race massacre, and over 183 serious injuries occurred with numerous deaths.

Tulsa,Ok Greenwood District pre-massacre

The Greenwood District was founded by black doctors, lawyers, and business owners. There were more than 35 thriving hotels, stores, theaters, and more in this black Tulsa neighborhood. The most significant aspect of the District was that everything was black owned.

A Greenwood District Founder: Edward P. McGabe , lawyer. Influential in recruiting black americans to move to all-black areas for his bision to create an all-black state.

This storybook community where many Black Americans went to escape the harsh Jim Crow South took a turn for the worse with a claim from a white man. The riot all began from an alleged claim of rape by a 19-year-old named Dick Roland. The alleged assault victim was a 17-year-old elevator operator, Sarah Page. According to accounts of the situation, Roland tripped in Page's elevator on his way to a black-only bathroom. To brace his fall, he allegedly grabbed Page's arm. Page screamed and people saw Roland flee the scene. A white store clerk then reported the incident as a rape or “assault".

A Greenwood District founder: Ottawa W. Gurley (front row, second from left) bought 40-acres, sold to black business owners, and helped enable entrepreneurs to move and build shops.

A day later, the entire Greenwood District was burned down between May 31 and June 1 of 1921. 35 city blocks were completely destroyed. It is believed that after about 300 people died during the riot massacre.

Tulsa, Ok Greenwood District Current 2021

Today, black wall street is being rebuilt. It began in 1945. Others have joined to embrace the memory of this influential black city, that was among others during the 1920s by developing black owned banks. One called Greenwood Bank which was founded for black and latino customers. And digital currency/cyrptocurrency exchange communities, theblackwallstreet.com. The digital wallet will release on May 31, the Anniversary of the Massacre.

Watch the interview with Founders Hill Harper, CEO (actor, activist, author) and Najah Roberts, CVO (first black woman owner of brick-and-mortar blockchain business).

Black business owners and communities continue to thrive, even after the repeated actions of oppression. Who knows what's next…