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.
“Tonight on the grounds of greatness, we proclaim that Tulsa is a city on the move,” Nichols said in his election night remarks.
Democratic state Sen. Kevin Matthews of Tulsa, top left, said the election of Tulsa’s first Black mayor is a “historic and significant” moment for the city.
Matthews is a Tulsa native who represents the city’s historically Black north side, including the Greenwood area, in the state Senate.
Tulsans guaranteed that a lifelong Democrat would become their next mayor by advancing Nichols and Keith to Tuesday’s runoff election.
Brad Henry and David Walters, former Tulsa Mayor Kathy Taylor, and Tiffany Crutcher, a community leader and social justice advocate. »
