Tulsa elects first Black mayor in ‘historic and significant’ election

The election marks a milestone for a city with a troubled racial history.

by Nuria Martinez-Keel, for Oklahoma Voice

In a district demolished a century ago in the Tulsa Race Massacre and rebuilt from the rubble, state Rep. Monroe Nichols declared victory as the first Black Tulsan elected as the city’s mayor.

Black residents say Nichols’ election adds a new, inspiring page to the history books of a city known for its dark past. In 1921, hundreds of African American Tulsans lost their lives, homes, and businesses when a white mob attacked the affluent neighborhood of Greenwood.

The Greenwood Cultural Center was alight with music and cheering Tuesday night on Tulsa’s Black Wall Street, as Nichols won the mayoral seat 56% to 44% over Tulsa County Commissioner Karen Keith. Nichols scored a decisive win despite raising about $1 million less than his opponent, campaign finance records show.

“Tonight on the grounds of greatness, we proclaim that Tulsa is a city on the move,” Nichols said in his election night remarks.