Uncovering the History of the Massacre of Black Wall Street

In the first of our 3 part series leading up to Black History Month, we focus in on how journalists and historians today are covering the Tulsa Race Massacre. KalaLea, producer and host of the podcast Blindspot: Tulsa Burning. She talks about how the series led coverage of the brutal 1921 attack on a prosperous Black Greenwood neighborhood in Tulsa, known as Black Wall Street. Then we’ll hear from Tulsa’s Tri-City Collective who continue to investigate the history.

Long Description: In the first of our 3 part series leading up to Black History Month, we turn our focus to how journalists and historians today are covering the Tulsa Race Massacre. We hear from KalaLea, host of the critically acclaimed podcast Blindspot: Tulsa Burning. The series tells the story of the rise of Greenwood, a prosperous Black neighborhood in Tulsa, Oklahoma, also known as Black Wall Street.

This program recounts the brutal 1921 massacre, a racist attack on the Black community backed by the local police. KalaLea spoke about the behind-the-scenes process of reporting on a deeply traumatic historical chapter, why healing is important, and the necessity of accountability.

We also hear from Bracken Klar and Carlos Moreno of Tulsa’s Tri-City Collective and the radio show Focus: Black Oklahoma, in partnership with KOSU. They discuss current efforts to better understand not just the tragedy of the event, but also the success of the neighborhood before and after the attack.

Learn more about the story and find the transcript on radioproject.org.

Making Contact  is an award-winning, nationally syndicated radio show and podcast featuring narrative storytelling and thought-provoking interviews. We cover the most urgent issues of our time and the people on the ground building a more just world.