G.T. Nichols, Tulsa's first Black mayor, has proposed a $100 million charitable trust aimed at addressing the historical impact of the 1921 Race Massacre, framing it as a 'road to repair' rather than traditional reparations.

Nichols unveiled this initiative at the Greenwood Cultural Center, a site deeply connected to the massacre that claimed the lives of approximately 300 Black residents.

He highlighted the long-term consequences of the massacre, including systemic issues like redlining and economic neglect that have hindered growth in Tulsa's Black community.

This proposal is part of a broader effort to confront the historical injustices faced by the Black community in Tulsa, particularly in the Greenwood District, which was devastated during the attack.

The trust will focus on providing scholarships and housing assistance rather than direct cash payments to the two surviving centenarians of the massacre or their descendants.

Currently, only two living survivors, both aged 110, have received limited financial support, but none from the city or state, highlighting the need for a more robust compensation strategy.

Attorney Damario Solomon-Simmons, representing the survivors, argues for direct payments and a victims' compensation fund, although previous legal efforts for reparations have faced setbacks.

Nichols acknowledged the challenging political climate regarding diversity and equity initiatives but affirmed the importance of moving forward with the reparations proposal.

While the proposal does not require city council approval to initiate, any transfer of city property to the trust will need council authorization.

The initiative aims to secure $105 million by June 1, 2026, with $60 million specifically allocated for revitalizing the historic Greenwood District.

Earlier this year, Nichols signed an executive order recognizing June 1 as Tulsa Race Massacre Observance Day, marking the city's acknowledgment of this tragic event.

Jacqueline Weary, a descendant of a massacre survivor, expressed concerns about the generational loss of wealth and the ongoing impact of the massacre on her family's legacy.