Greenwood Rising: Black Wall Street History Center

The 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre devastated the thriving African American business district of Greenwood, known nationally as “Black Wall Street.” Over the course of two days, more than 35 blocks of homes and businesses were destroyed, thousands were left homeless, hundreds were injured and an untold number were killed. Once a vibrant center of commerce, culture and community, Greenwood was reduced to ashes. For decades, the tragedy was ignored, omitted from textbooks and buried by both state and federal authorities.

A century later, the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Centennial Commission – comprising federal, state and local leaders – established Greenwood Rising to ensure this history is neither forgotten nor silenced. The new history center tells the story of Greenwood’s resilience, loss and legacy, offering a place for education, remembrance and reconciliation.

Wallace Design Collective provided civil engineering services for the project, located at the gateway to the historic Greenwood District. The center anchors the district and connects to the Pathway of Hope, an interactive pedestrian route that guides visitors through key landmarks and stories of Greenwood’s past. Greenwood Rising now stands as both a tribute to those who lived through the massacre and a beacon for future generations to engage with history and inspire meaningful dialogue about justice and community.

photography: ©Mel Willis