Loula Tom Williams was a visionary who challenged societal norms in Tulsa’s Black Wall Street. Although many historians attribute Greenwood’s achievements to male entrepreneurs, Williams carved out her own space, building the famous Dreamland Theatre that supported the community.
Her most renowned contribution, the Dreamland Theatre, was more than just a cinema—it stood as a testament to Black ambition, economic strength, and resilience.
A determined beginning
Loula and her husband, John Williams, were among the first settlers of Greenwood, moving from Mississippi to Tulsa in the early 1900s. When Loula became pregnant, she insisted on giving birth at a Black-serving hospital, leading them to Hot Springs, Arkansas, where their son, William Danforth Williams, was born in 1905. Even in motherhood, Loula prioritized Black accessibility to services, a value that would later shape her career.
While John built his auto repair business, Williams’ One Stop Garage, Loula refused to be confined to the traditional role of a housewife. Using her savings from teaching, she opened The Williams Confectionery in 1909, a popular shop that sold ice cream, popcorn and sweets. The confectionery quickly became a beloved hangout for Greenwood’s youth, reinforcing Loula’s sharp business instincts.
Loula Williams builds Dreamland Theatre
Encouraged by the success of her confectionery, Loula set her sights on a bigger venture—entertainment. In 1914, she opened Dreamland Theatre, a 750-seat movie house that also hosted live performances.
The theater, which sold tickets for just 15 cents, made culture and entertainment accessible to Greenwood residents, strengthening the neighborhood’s identity as a self-sustaining Black community.
Unlike many women of her time, Loula ensured that Dreamland was entirely in her name. She bought the land independently and owned the theater outright, making a bold statement about women’s financial independence. In 1914, the Tulsa Star called her “the foremost businesswoman of the state, among Negro women.”
Surviving the Tulsa Race Massacre
On May 31, 1921, as Greenwood thrived, White mobs stormed the district, attacking Black homes and businesses. Dreamland Theatre was in the middle of a film screening when news of the attack spread.
Patrons fled the building as chaos unfolded, but the theater, like the rest of Greenwood, was soon reduced to ashes.
Insurance companies refused to compensate Black business owners, making recovery nearly impossible. However, Loula and John had two additional movie theaters in Okmulgee and Muskogee, which provided them with income. Against all odds, they rebuilt Dreamland Theatre in 1922, and Greenwood eventually rebuilt the district to its heyday in the ’40s and ’50s before its ultimate decline.
A lasting legacy
Loula Williams passed away in 1927, but her influence endured and stretched beyond the Dreamland Theatre. Her son, William, became a lifelong educator, and her granddaughter, Anita Williams, became the first Black woman in America to earn a doctorate in optometry. In 2011, the Smithsonian Museum honored the Williams family’s contributions, ensuring that Loula’s story was no longer forgotten.
Today, Loula Williams is recognized as a pioneer of Black Wall Street, proving that Black women were not just participants in Greenwood’s success but its architects.
Related Stories:
- John, Loula Williams: Massacre survivors who shaped Greenwood
- Dreamland Rising: How one Tulsan is working to rebuild Greenwood’s famed theatre
- Dreamland Festival moves to Greenwood for 9th annual celebration
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