Before peace, there was a war between the white residents of Tulsa and the black residents. On May 30, 1921, Dick Rowland who was a shoe shiner was accused of attacking a white elevator operator named Sarah Page, it had many white residents in an uproar. This accusation was the start of the turmoil amongst the black residents. May 31- June 1st the massacre affected hundreds of African American businesses and homes. White residents were given weapons from city officials to attack black residents and their businesses. There were 800+ deaths due to the outrage and 183 serious injuries that left many African Americans in awe.
Ottawa W. Gurley, also known as OW Gurley, was the first black entrepreneur of his time. Known to be a hero in the black community of Tulsa, OW Gurley created a pathway for others that look just like him to succeed. In 1906, he purchased 40 acres of land that was intended for "coloreds only". His land stretched from Pine Street to the north, Frisco rail tracks to south, Lansing Avenue to the east and Cincinnati Avenue to the west, the white residents were applaud that there was an African American who was educated and also an entrepreneur, it was unheard of during that time. Although he owned 40 acres of land, he created a rooming house on Greenwood avenue that helped African American migrants flee the oppression in Mississippi. Greenwood Avenue was a place for African Americans to be at peace and own their businesses without having to worry about them being destroyed. OW Gurley, created a space where the racial persecution from the south was non-existent on Greenwood Avenue. He changed lives and businesses by not just owning land and becoming a business man but by giving back to his community and helping the black community become entrepreneurs, giving them a sense of stability. Greenwood was perceived as a place to escape oppression-economic, social, political oppression in the DEEP SOUTH.
Today, you can visit Tulsa and be in remembrance of the strength, courage and passion that OW Gurley made to create a place such as Greenwood Avenue.
