The Legacy of the Greenwood District

May 31, 2021 marks 100 years since the affluent community of Greenwood, more infamously known as Black Wall Street, thrived in Tulsa Oklahoma.

The 36 blocks of luxurious homes and businesses were home to the nearly 15,000 Black professionals and families. The all-inclusive, all Black owned and operated Town included 2 exceptional schools, 2 hospitals, 2 movie theaters, 21 churches, 20 restaurants and cafes, 40 Grocery and meat markets, several law and dental offices as well as several doctors offices including some of the best doctors of their time. There were dozens of luxury retail stores, jewelry stores, boutique hotels, night clubs and jazz halls; and at least 6 people owned private airplanes. Just 40 years after their enslavement had been outlawed, the brave men and women of Greenwood erected a multimillion dollar empire out of raw land and sheer determination!

After the Dawes Act of 1887, Oklahoma was sought as a safe haven for the newly emancipated enslaved people fleeing the brutal Jim Crow south. Boosters described the newly exploited Native Territory as a land of opportunity and freedom. Fueled by the determination of black people who wished to escape discrimination, and to acquire some control over their own lives, at least 50 townships across the state were eventually built and occupied by booming black towns simultaneously. Their success was so prominent that along with this growth came a movement for an All-Black state.

Today only a few of these towns are still standing; such as Boley and Langston, but only as hopeful reminders of what may have happened had history taken a different course.

We are raising funds to support the commencement of the Historic Greenwood District in Tulsa Oklahoma, to educate the world about these wonderful accomplishments, all while lifting up the communities it was built to serve.

In honor of the immeasurable sacrifices, brilliance and victories of the Greenwood District pioneers; We Celebrate 100 years since Excellence proudly stretched across Greenwood Avenue and stood firmly at Archer and Pine street.

This fundraiser was created by lifetime Greenwood District Legend and Resident Bobby Eaton; after learning that funds collected by other organizations were being mismanaged we decided to take matters into our own hands!

The purpose of this fundraiser is to provide direct support to the current residents of the Greenwood District in meeting their goals as well as extending support to other predominantly African American communities.