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Editor-in-Chief Nehemiah Frank will preview stories from TheBWST Centennial magazine “Greenwood 100”
TULSA, Okla. — The Black Wall Street Times (TheBWST), Tulsa-based independent Black-owned media outlet, will host the grand opening of its brick-and-mortar storefront and newsroom from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 27, 2021 at 217 E. Archer St, Tulsa, Oklahoma, 74103.
The celebration is a pre-kickoff event for the Black Wall Street Legacy Festival – a series of community curated events, dedications and programs honoring survivors and descendants of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, spanning from May 27 – June 19, 2021.
Thursday’s grand opening will feature several speakers and a live performance by recording artist Faye Moffett. Moffett recently won hearts across America while auditioning on NBC’s The Voice. TheBWST Editor-in-Chief Nehemiah D. Frank will also read several passages from the outlet’s landmark commemorative magazine Greenwood 100. The magazine is dedicated to Michael Donald, a 19-year-old journalist who became the victim of a racial-terror lynching in Alabama in 1981, as well as the living survivors and descendants of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre.
Speakers for the event include:
- Nehemiah D. Frank, editor-in-chief of The Black Wall Street Times
- Deon Osborne, associate editor of The Black Wall Street Times
- Victor Luckerson, journalist and writer
- Dr. Tiffany Crutcher, executive director of Terence Crutcher Foundation
- Dr. Ray Owens, pastor of Metropolitan Baptist Church of Tulsa
- Vanessa Hall-Harper, District 1 City Councilor
- Gregory Robinson II, Community Organizer
Black media is critical in shifting power and equity to Black communities. TheBWST shines light on injustices in education, healthcare, economic inequalities and wrongful criminal sentencing often overlooked locally and nationally. The opening and expansion of this newsroom will ensure the national Black experience is documented by our team of journalists and photographers.
“I’m extremely proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish over these few short years. We’ve gained a dedicated readership through our truth-telling and have reached millions by breaking local and national stories. The Black Wall Street Times is a vehicle that holds the world around us accountable; without it we are woefully vulnerable to the power structures that be,” said TheBWST Editor-in-Chief Nehemiah Frank.
Guests at the grand opening will be the first in Tulsa to step into TheBWST’s new space. This store will house a range of items for purchase year round, including original The Black Wall Street Times apparel and gifts, both local and national published newspapers and magazines, including “Greenwood 100” and more.
Frank will also recognize several community members who have supported TheBWST’s journey during the last four years.
This event is open to the public. Press RSVP to sarah@bwstimes.com.
In order to remain as safe as possible, the celebration will primarily be held outdoors on the spacious storefront and seating areas surrounding the store. TheBWST will adhere to all current COVID-19 recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
TheBWSTimes launched a Kickstarter to expand their newsroom and creative capacity efforts. It is now 92% funded just weeks into the campaign.
You can follow The Black Wall Street Times on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram – @thebwstimes.
About the Founder
Nehemiah D. Frank is the founder and editor-in-chief of The Black Wall Street Times and is a descendant of the historic Greenwood Community, dubbed the Black Wall Street. Frank’s work appears in TIME Magazine, Education Post, Tulsa People and various other publications. He attended Harold Washington College and Oklahoma State University, earning a degree in political science. Frank is a former teacher and assistant principal and cares about equity and diversity in education. He gave a TED Talk about education in 2018. He is a founding delegate for the National Parents Union and serves on various boards for community and national projects.
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