Headline: Commission to explore 1921 Race Massacre reparations in the form of housing for north Tulsa

A commission exploring reparations for descendants of 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre survivors and north Tulsans has been formed, and it has a clear initial focus: housing. The Beyond Apology commission, announced in August, is based on a survey of the same name that asked Tulsans what they’d like to see in recompense for the racist attack that killed as many as 300 in the thriving neighborhood known as Black Wall Street. A subsequent report lists housing, education, financial compensation, community and economic development, land, health and wellness, systems change and cultural identity as goals. At a news conference before the commission’s first meeting Friday, Mayor G.T. Bynum explained why the commission would initially focus on housing. “That very much aligns with the focus the city council and I have placed around putting more housing in Tulsa, and more affordable housing in Tulsa in particular. And we have happened to approve through Improve Our Tulsa last year tens of millions of dollars that are available for housing initiatives in our city,” said Bynum. In 2023, Tulsans approved $95 million generated from sales tax revenue to go toward housing. Bynum has remained firm in the stance that he does not support cash...