Greenwood/ Black Wall Street

Number of Towns: Oklahoma had 45 predominantly Black towns and municipalities, considered the capital of Black self-determination.
Motivation for Relocation: Black individuals moved to Oklahoma for similar reasons as white settlers, seeking new possibilities and opportunities for advancement.

Oil Discovery: In 1905, an oil wildcatter discovered the Glenn Pool, which was recognized as the richest small oil field in the world.
Economic Growth: The oil boom attracted a surge of people, including professionals and merchants from smaller Black towns.
Migration Patterns: Individuals arrived in Tulsa via various means, including trains, wagons, and on foot.

Geographical Reference: Greenwood was situated in the northeastern part of Tulsa, recognized as the primary African American settlement.
Area Size: Approximately 40 square blocks, containing distinct neighborhoods and businesses, comprised the Greenwood community.
Founder: O.W. Gurley, regarded as the father of the Greenwood district, established its first business in 1906.
Community Vision: Gurley envisioned Greenwood as a place for Black people to thrive and prosper.

Intentional Community Building: Gurley and J.B. Stratford aimed to make African Americans wealthy landowners and entrepreneurs.
Symbolism: They represented hope and served as a testament to the potential of Black communities.
Variety of Businesses: Greenwood supported a wide range of businesses, such as:
- Funeral parlors
- Theaters
- Hotels
- A public library
- Restaurants and cafes
- Professional services (doctors, lawyers, and a photography studio)

Segregation Impact: Due to limitations in accessing the larger white economy, the Black community formed an independent economy.
Community Success: The success of Black businesses was attributed to the practice of conducting transactions within the community, allowing money to circulate multiple times (5 or 6 times).
Opportunity for Advancement: Greenwood allowed for upward mobility among Black individuals, with many achieving economic success through entrepreneurship.

Black Wall Street: Booker T. Washington coined the term "Black Wall Street" or "Negro Wall Street" to describe the prosperity and affluence of Greenwood.
Cultural Growth: As the community gained economic strength, a surge of social and cultural awareness developed among its residents, who began to challenge societal injustices.

Tulsa Star Newspaper: Andrew Jackson Smitherman, an attorney and journalist, established the Tulsa Star, Oklahoma’s first daily Black newspaper, in collaboration with J.B. Stratford.
Purpose of the Newspaper: The paper functioned as a platform to highlight Black achievements, countering negative portrayals in white media, focusing on justice and advocacy against lynching.

National Racial Climate: The summer of 1919 witnessed a nationwide rise in racial terror across cities such as New York, Philadelphia, Memphis, Chicago, Washington D.C., and Elaine, Arkansas.
Origin of Riots: These riots were often driven by fear and resentment surrounding Black advancement and economic success.
Tulsa in 1921: In Tulsa, preexisting racial tensions culminated in violent events, fueled by jealousy and ongoing threats to white supremacy, particularly against the backdrop of Black wealth concentration in the area.

Potential for Conflict: The conditions in Tulsa during this period resembled a 'tinderbox' waiting for a spark to ignite unrest, setting the stage for significant conflicts rooted in systemic racism and social inequality.