The 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre: Separating Fact from Fiction, Then and Now

This program is free thanks to a grant from PEN America

In 1921, rumor and racism caused white angry mobs to burn Black Wall Street to the ground. The Greenwood District of Tulsa, Oklahoma was known as Black Wall Street because of its prosperous community of 10,000 African-Americans. The devastation included 300 deaths, hundreds of injuries, 5,000 were left homeless, and 4,000 acres were destroyed by fire. This year 2021 is the 100-year memorial of the historic tragedy, which has relevance to modern day issues. When writing from a historical perspective, how does one parcel fact from fiction when referring to long ago events? Gain important insights from historian/attorney Hannibal Johnson, and journalist/author Randy Krehbiel. 

Both authors have turned decades-long research into books about the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. The session will be moderated by Ginnie Graham, Tulsa World’s senior columnist.

Mr. Johnson has authored numerous books, including Images of America: Tulsa’s Historic Greenwood District, and Black Wall Street: From Riot to Renaissance in Tulsa’s Historic Greenwood District

Find Hannibal Johnson’s books on Amazon HERE

Randy Krehbiel is political reporter for Tulsa World with a 40-year career in journalism. He is an author and his latest book is Tulsa 1921: Reporting a Massacre.

Find his bio and his books on Amazon HERE.

This is a free event to be broadcast on Facebook Live at www.facebook.com/PENamerica