Mayor Nichols Launched Tulsa Greenwood Trust

The charitable initiative aims to raise $105 million to spur investment in the historic Greenwood neighborhood.

Updated on Oct. 8, 2026 in African-American

Screen-print poster illustration of a brick archway leading to a quiet community courtyard, evoking neighborhood heritage and growth. — Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols has launched the Greenwood Trust, a $105 million initiative designed to spur economic development and preserve the historic neighborhood. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols officially launched the Greenwood Trust to generate $105 million for local economic development. The private charitable trust seeks to restore wealth in the neighborhood once known as Black Wall Street.

Why it matters

The trust aims to foster economic mobility for Greenwood residents and descendants by funding historic preservation, entrepreneurship, and housing initiatives. It seeks to rectify long-standing inequities following the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre.

The Greenwood Trust plans to allocate $60 million for cultural preservation, $21 million for a legacy fund, and $24 million for housing. These figures aim to support an area that once encompassed 35 square blocks and 10,000 residents.

The players

Monroe Nichols

Monroe Nichols is the Mayor of Tulsa who spearheaded the launch of the Greenwood Trust.

Alaina Beverly

Alaina Beverly serves as the executive director of the Greenwood Trust.

The details

The organization intends to secure capital from philanthropic, corporate, private, and public sources to implement its goals. Using a combination of grants and debt, the trust plans to invest in historic buildings, education, and small business support for the community.

1921: The Tulsa Race Massacre destroyed the original Black Wall Street district.
June 2026: The target date to secure the $105 million in funding.
October 2026: The Aspen Ideas: Economy forum was held in Tulsa.

Culture Shift

The Greenwood Trust represents a shift toward intentional, localized wealth-building efforts aimed at reversing decades of systemic economic stagnation. This mirrors a broader national trend of cities prioritizing restorative capital as a mechanism for addressing historical urban injustices.

Residents and descendants of the Greenwood district may gain access to new educational resources, small business support, and housing assistance. These investments could lead to tangible improvements in infrastructure and historic property maintenance throughout the area.

The takeaway

The Greenwood Trust highlights the role of large-scale private philanthropy in tackling long-term neighborhood economic recovery. Residents and stakeholders should monitor the trust’s progress toward its June 2026 funding deadline to see when capital deployment begins.