Tulsa’s Mayor Proposes $100 Million Trust for Reparations

The first Black mayor of Tulsa, Monroe Nichols IV, has proposed establishing a private trust worth $100 million as part of a reparation plan addressing the consequences of the Tulsa Race Massacre from over a century ago.

Elected in November, Nichols outlined that this trust would support scholarships and housing for the descendants of victims impacted by the massacre. But, he emphasized that it won’t provide direct cash payments.

“For 104 years, the Tulsa Race Massacre has cast a shadow over our city’s history,” Nichols remarked. He pointed out that the events were largely omitted from educational narratives, followed by deliberate actions that suppressed economic growth in the community.

“Now is the time to take the next big step and recover,” he continued.

The proposed private charity trust aims to secure assets totaling $105 million, with most funds expected to be obtained or pledged by June 1, 2026.

Nichols noted that the city council’s approval is essential for transferring city assets to the trust.

The plan allocates $60 million for enhancements and revitalization on the city’s north side.

“The Greenwood area once thrived as a commercial center,” Nichols explained to the Associated Press. “This wasn’t just a loss for North Tulsa or the Black community; it pulled Tulsa’s potential down to a level that could compete globally.”

Nichols’ initiative comes shortly after Summer Lee, a Democratic representative from Pennsylvania, revealed her intentions to introduce reparations legislation.

Lee’s resolution references the enduring impacts of slavery, Jim Crow laws, and various discriminatory policies, aiming for substantial financial support for Black American descendants.

“This fight for the restoration of Black individuals must be significantly more comprehensive,” she stated.