Plan for recompense totaling $105 million for descendants of the 1921 Tulsa race massacre disclosed by the mayor.

Unleashing Justice: Tulsa Reparations Plan Unveiled for Victims of the 1921 Race Massacre

Tulsa, Oklahoma's dark past resurfaced on Sunday as Mayor Monroe Nichols declared a $105 million reparations plan for the descendants of the Tulsa race massacre survivors. The 1921 attack, a hate-fueled rampage by a white mob on the flourishing Greenwood district, left hundreds dead and properties in ruins.

Nichols, the city's first Black mayor, elected in 2024, announced the Greenwood Trust – a charitable initiative worth $105 million – on the first official Tulsa Race Massacre Observance Day. The initiative is a part of "The Road to Repair," a comprehensive strategy designed to heal the deep-rooted wounds across generations.

The Greenwood Trust will explore investments in key areas such as affordable housing, homeownership, cultural preservation, economic development, and education. The trust will not aim at direct cash payments but focus on long-term sustainable investments and programs benefiting the descendants.

Beyond healing past wrongs, the initiative signals a commitment to investing in justice, opportunity, and dignity for the victim's families. By addressing these historical injustices, the city hopes to begin the process of repair for those impacted by the Tulsa Race Massacre and the subsequent disinvestment in the Greenwood District and North Tulsa.

The employee's office stated, "The City of Tulsa cannot undo the harm of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, but it can choose a road to repair."

DOJ Investigation Unveils Shocking Truth but Stops Short of Prosecution

In 2024, the Department of Justice (DOJ) launched a federal review of the Tulsa Race Massacre, a first in the nation's history. Following a four-month probe, the DOJ released a 126-page report on January 17, 2025. The report revealed that the two-day assault claimed over 300 Black lives, destroyed their businesses, and resulted in widespread theft, robbery, and looting of victims' money and personal property. The survivors and descendants praised the move at the time. However, the DOJ did not recommend any criminal charges.

Two Living Titans: Mother Randle and Mother Fletcher

Viola Fletcher, known as "Mother Fletcher," and Lessie Benningfield Randle, known as "Mother Randle," are the last known living survivors, having persevered since their young girlhood during the deadly attack. Both women have been instrumental in advocating for reparations for decades.

Attorney Damario Solomon-Simmons, founder of Justice For Greenwood, acknowledged the mayor's plan, hailing it as a hopeful moment for the families in this community. He emphasized that this alignment is a testament to the power of truth-telling and organized advocacy, and the community is eager to turn these ideas into tangible improvements for descendants.

The Tulsa reparations plan, announced by Mayor Nichols, signifies a shift in the city's approach to addressing the historical injustices committed during the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, extending beyond financial aid to include investments in areas like education, economic development, and cultural preservation.
Amidst the launch of the Greenwood Trust, the DOJ conducted a four-month review of the Tulsa Race Massacre in 2024, revealing that the 1921 attack claimed over 300 Black lives and destroyed businesses. Though the DOJ did not recommend criminal charges, the findings provided a basis for the reparations policy-and-legislation.
As the last surviving witnesses to the Tulsa Race Massacre, both Viola Fletcher, or "Mother Fletcher," and Lessie Benningfield Randle, or "Mother Randle," have dedicated their lives to advocating for justice and reparations for the victims of the tragedy.
In light of the Tulsa reparations plan, the community sees a glimmer of hope and general-news coverage suggests that the alignment between advocacy efforts and the city's actions underscores the importance of truth-telling and organized efforts in bringing about policy changes and healing.