In the poignant words of Dr. Cornel West, “In this historic moment of reckoning, let us remember those monumental events of barbarity that shape who and what we are.”

In 2021, I had the profound honor of being selected as one of the official photographers documenting the centennial remembrance of the Tulsa Race Massacre in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The commemorative events brought community leaders, historians, artists, activists, descendants, visitors, and public figures to the historic Greenwood District to honor the lives, businesses, families, and legacy of the community once internationally recognized as Black Wall Street.

What Happened in Tulsa’s Greenwood District?

The Tulsa Race Massacre occurred between May 31 and June 1, 1921. Greenwood was a nationally recognized African American business and residential district filled with Black-owned stores, hotels, restaurants, theaters, professional offices, churches, newspapers, and homes.

During the massacre, a white mob launched a coordinated attack against Greenwood’s Black residents. Homes and businesses were looted and burned, residents were assaulted and killed, and thousands of people were displaced.

The precise death toll remains unknown. Historical research indicates that approximately 100 to 300 people may have died, while 35 city blocks were left in ruins and hundreds of people were injured. The destruction devastated one of the most prosperous Black communities in the United States.

A 2025 review by the United States Department of Justice described the massacre as a coordinated attack involving white residents and law-enforcement personnel. The report concluded that, had current federal civil-rights laws existed in 1921, identified perpetrators could have been prosecuted for their actions.

Anthony Brinkley "Tony B" a Tulsa native. - Poet

Standing on Historic Greenwood Avenue

The Soul City Network Team -

As I stood on Greenwood’s streets, the weight of the history was palpable.

Photography often allows us to observe an event from a slight distance. This experience did the opposite. Every image made me feel more connected to the people, places, and stories surrounding me.

I heard accounts of Greenwood’s economic success, the calculated destruction of the community, the denial of justice that followed, and the extraordinary determination of survivors who fought to rebuild. Historical records show that Greenwood residents encountered legal and political attempts to prevent reconstruction, yet community leaders and attorneys challenged those efforts.

The centennial remembrance was not only about tragedy. It was also a celebration of Black entrepreneurship, cultural achievement, collective memory, survival, and resilience.

100th Anniversary Tulsa Massacre Street Parade

The Centennial Street Parade

The 100th-anniversary street parade brought people together along the historic streets of Tulsa.

Community organizations, artists, speakers, performers, local residents, and visitors participated in a public remembrance of the lives and businesses affected by the massacre. The procession transformed Greenwood into a living memorial filled with music, banners, speeches, reflection, and calls for justice.

Through my photographs, I sought to capture both the solemnity of the occasion and the strength of the people who gathered there.

Voices, Leaders, and Artists at the Commemoration

Attorney Ben Crump

Among the individuals and groups I photographed during the centennial events were poet and Tulsa native Anthony Brinkley, also known as Tony B; members of the Soul City Network team; civil-rights attorney Ben Crump; former Tuskegee mayor Johnny Ford; Queen Mother Dr. Delois Blakely; Leila Foley-Davis; financial professional Dr. Jana B. Woodhouse; and Soul City Network representative Matt McCoy.

These portraits are part of a broader visual record of the people who came to Tulsa to remember the past, confront its continuing consequences, and participate in discussions about justice and repair.

Mayor Johnny Ford - Tuskegee | Queen Mother Dr. Delois Blakely | Mayor Leila Davis

Mayor Leila Foley Davis - 1st African American Woman Mayor in the United States

Dr. Jana B. Woodhouse - First African American Woman to trade full time on the Wall Street floor in New York City.

"Cut the Check!!" Reparations - Declaration Chant by Queen Mother Blakely

One of the most memorable moments was Queen Mother Dr. Delois Blakely leading the declaration chant, “Cut the check!” The chant communicated a direct demand for reparations and accountability for the wealth, property, lives, and opportunities taken from Greenwood’s Black residents and their descendants.

Revisiting the Legacy of W. Tate Brady

During my time in Tulsa, I also photographed the historic residence associated with W. Tate Brady.

Former Brady Mansion, now owned by retired NFL player

The former Brady Mansion, a historic landmark in Tulsa, Oklahoma, has found a new owner in retired NFL player Demario Davis. This iconic residence, once associated with the controversial figure W. Tate Brady, is now under the care of Davis, who is known for his dedication both on and off the field. Davis aims to honor the mansion's rich history while contributing to the ongoing revitalization of the Greenwood District, bringing a new chapter of hope and restoration to the area.

W. Tate Brady was a prominent figure in early Tulsa history, known for his entrepreneurial spirit and significant contributions to the city's development. However, his legacy is marred by his involvement with the Ku Klux Klan and his participation in the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. Brady's actions and affiliations have left a lasting stain on his reputation, making the preservation and reinterpretation of sites associated with him, like the Brady Mansion, crucial for acknowledging and learning from the past.

Former Brady Mansion, now owned by retired NFL player.

Inside the Center for Public Secrets

Another significant part of my experience was visiting the Center for Public Secrets.

The center’s exhibits and archival materials presented documents connected to Tulsa’s history and the calculated attack against the residents of Greenwood. Seeing historical evidence displayed in one place made the events feel immediate and undeniable.

Center for Public Secrets - The Center for Public Secrets, nestled in Tulsa, Oklahoma, serves as a vital platform for shedding light on often overlooked histories, with a particularly poignant exhibit dedicated to the Tulsa Black Wall Street Massacre. This exhibit stands as a solemn testament to the resilience and tragedy of the Black community in Tulsa, commemorating the devastating events of 1921 while contextualizing their enduring impact on the city and its inhabitants.

Founded by independent journalists and historians Randy Hopkins and Marc Carlson, the Center aims to shed light on the darker and lesser-known aspects of local and national history, fostering a deeper understanding of our past and its impact on the present.

Through meticulously curated artifacts, multimedia presentations, and interactive experiences, the exhibit not only honors the lives lost and the thriving community destroyed but also confronts the systemic racism and violence that precipitated this dark chapter in American history. By amplifying the voices of survivors, descendants, and scholars, the Center fosters a deeper understanding of the massacre's complexities and ensures that its memory remains a catalyst for justice, healing, and reconciliation in Tulsa and beyond.

Documents, maps, photographs, newspaper reports, testimonies, and legal records help visitors understand that the destruction of Greenwood was not simply a spontaneous disturbance. It occurred within a broader environment of racial hostility, political failure, economic competition, and organized violence.

More Than a Story of Destruction

Black Wall Street should not be remembered only for how it was destroyed.

Greenwood was a thriving community built through Black entrepreneurship, professional achievement, family life, culture, faith, and mutual support. Its residents created businesses and institutions during an era when segregation restricted where Black Americans could live, shop, work, obtain services, and build wealth.

Remembering Greenwood only through the massacre risks allowing the violence to overshadow the extraordinary community that existed before it.

The history is also a story of rebuilding. Survivors returned, challenged discriminatory policies, reconstructed businesses and homes, and preserved Greenwood’s identity despite enormous personal and financial losses.

Why This Experience Changed Me

I arrived in Tulsa as a photographer assigned to document a historic commemoration. I left with a deeper understanding of American history and the responsibility that comes with visual storytelling.

Being present in Greenwood taught me that photography is not merely about creating attractive images. It can preserve testimony, document public memory, introduce audiences to overlooked history, and create a record for future generations.

I am still processing the gravity of what I experienced. However, one thing is certain: standing in Greenwood forever changed my understanding of the Tulsa Race Massacre and the true state of our Union.

Matt McCoy - Soul City Network

Preserving the Memory of Black Wall Street

The story of Greenwood remains relevant because the consequences of destroyed property, stolen wealth, displacement, racial violence, and denied justice do not disappear with time.

The centennial remembrance demonstrated the power of communities to preserve their own stories, honor their ancestors, demand accountability, and educate future generations.

Through this photo essay, I hope to contribute to that preservation.

These photographs represent more than a trip to Tulsa. They document a moment of remembrance, resistance, cultural pride, historical reckoning, and renewed commitment to ensuring that the story of Black Wall Street is never erased again.

View the complete photo collection and explore more documentary, cultural, and event photography by William Adams at CovantNYC.

FAQ 

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What was Black Wall Street?

Black Wall Street was the popular name for Tulsa’s Greenwood District, a prosperous African American community known for its Black-owned businesses, professional services, churches, entertainment venues, and residences.

When did the Tulsa Race Massacre happen?

The Tulsa Race Massacre occurred between May 31 and June 1, 1921, when a white mob attacked Black residents and destroyed homes and businesses throughout the Greenwood District.

How many people died during the Tulsa Race Massacre?

The exact death toll remains unknown. Historians generally estimate that between 100 and 300 people died, while hundreds were injured and thousands were displaced.

What was the Tulsa Race Massacre centennial remembrance?

The centennial remembrance was a series of commemorative events held in 2021 to honor victims, survivors, descendants, businesses, and the continuing legacy of Greenwood 100 years after the massacre.

Who photographed this Black Wall Street photo essay?

The photographs were created by professional photographer William “Will” Adams of CovantNYC, who was selected to help document the 2021 centennial commemoration.

Why is Greenwood important to African American history?

Greenwood represents Black entrepreneurship, cultural achievement, community building, resistance, and resilience. Its history also demonstrates the devastating consequences of racial violence and the long struggle for recognition and justice.