Tulsa's mayor proposes $100 million trust to support reparations

On June 1, 2025, Tulsa's first Black mayor, Monroe Nichols, unveiled a $100 million private trust as part of a reparations plan targeting the descendants of those impacted by the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. This announcement came during the observance of the Tulsa Race Massacre Observance Day, which Nichols previously established to commemorate the violent events in which a white mob attacked the predominantly Black Greenwood District, causing significant death and destruction. In total, the massacre claimed around 300 lives and led to the devastation of one of the largest Black-owned business districts in the United States. The multi-faceted reparations plan intends to provide scholarships and housing assistance, focusing on revitalizing the Greenwood District. Nichols emphasized the importance of rebuilding not just for the affected individuals and families but for the entire Tulsa community, highlighting that the loss incurred by the massacre was a loss for the city's collective economic future as well. The proposal has been framed as “the road to repair,” with a substantial investment target set at securing $105 million by June 1, 2026. Currently, there are only two known survivors of the massacre, who are both centenarians. Despite the wrongful historical neglect surrounding the massacre, Nichols aims to address these historical injustices with this financial initiative. Notably, the funding for this plan is derived from taxes generated by the sale of recreational marijuana, illustrating a modern approach to funding reparative actions while acknowledging historic pains. Having crafted the proposal without requiring city council approval, Nichols noted that the transfer of city assets would fall under the council’s jurisdiction. The context of this initiative exists within a challenging national political climate, particularly influenced by the rhetoric of the previous presidential administration. However, Nichols insists there is both a moral obligation and a community need for such reparative measures. The efforts also reflect broader dialogues happening across the United States regarding reparations and racial justice, with various cities and states discussing similar programs to address historical inequalities. This Tulsa initiative is part of a larger trend of recognizing and attempting to remedy systemic injustices, taking steps toward healing and revitalizing a community that has suffered from historical neglect and violence.