Justice For Greenwood Announces Inaugural Greenwood 120 Gala, Honoring Legacy, Truth, And The Future Of Reparatory Justice
Photos: Wikimedia Commons Tulsa, Oklahoma – As Greenwood marks 120 years since its founding and the nation reflects on 105 years since the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, Justice for Greenwood will host the inaugural Greenwood 120 Gala, an evening dedicated to honoring Greenwood’s historic brilliance, elevating present-day champions, and advancing the work safeguarding its legacy. Taking place on Friday, May 29, 2026, in Tulsa, Oklahoma with co-hosts Charles Coleman Jr. and Karen Hunter, the Greenwood 120 Gala will set a new standard for how Greenwood’s story is told, centering the voices, resilience, and leadership of those who are preserving its legacy. The evening will recognize extraordinary leaders whose work embodies the enduring spirit of Greenwood, including: Angela Rye, co-host of Native Land Pod and national political commentator, who will receive the Truth-Telling & Education Award, honoring leaders who shape public understanding through truth, education, and vision. Bryan Stevenson, Founder and Executive Director of the Equal Justice Initiative, who will receive the Fight for Our Rights & Dignity Award, recognizing those who confront injustice through advocacy, litigation, and moral leadership. John W. Rogers Jr., a Greenwood descendant and Chairman and Co-CEO of Ariel Investments, who will receive the We Are Greenwood Award, honoring descendants who preserve and advance Greenwood’s living legacy across generations. Convening 250 industry heroes, executives, supporters, descendants, justice leaders, and advocates, the Greenwood 120 Gala will include a red carpet hosted by correspondent Tiffany Cross, a cocktail reception, a dinner, and an awards program featuring remarks from Well-Being Master Teacher, Advisor, and Healer Devi Brown. Notable figures, on-stage talent, and a distinguished group of ambassadors including Erika Alexander, Ben Crump, and Tamika Mallory, among others, will further underscore the significance and impact of the gathering.The Gala is uniquely positioned at the intersection of multiple historic milestones, including 120 years since the founding of Greenwood, 105 years since the Tulsa Race Massacre, 160 years since the Creek Treaty of 1866, and 250 years since the founding of the United States. Together, these anniversaries underscore the urgency and significance of advancing reparatory justice at this moment in time. “For generations, people have tried to reduce Greenwood to a tragedy, but Greenwood was one of the greatest examples of Black love, cooperation, and excellence this country has ever seen,” said Damario Solomon-Simmons, Esq., M.Ed., President & Chief Legal Counsel, Justice For Greenwood. “What our ancestors built in Oklahoma became a model for what was possible when a community had the freedom to dream, own, and create for itself. The work today is making sure that legacy is not frozen in history, but carried forward by descendants and communities all over America who still believe in the principles that built Greenwood in the first place.”“When I was a little girl in Greenwood, I remember a community full of people who cared for one another and believed they could build a better life for their families,” recalled Lessie Benningfield Randle, known as “Mother Randle,” the last known living survivor of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. “Even after everything that happened, that spirit stayed with us. I want young people and descendants to understand that Greenwood was not only about what we lost, but about what our people created together. Seeing others like my attorney Damario Solomon-Simmons and Justice For Greenwood continue to carry that forward means a great deal to me.” Justice for Greenwood is a grassroots, 501(c)(3) organization with a big vision: to get Respect, Reparations, and Repair for the Greenwood community for the near century of historical omissions and continued harm caused by the 1921 Massacre, through survivor and descendant support, public education, and advocacy.
Black News 
Photos: Wikimedia Commons
Tulsa, Oklahoma – As Greenwood marks 120 years since its founding and the nation reflects on 105 years since the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, Justice for Greenwood will host the inaugural Greenwood 120 Gala, an evening dedicated to honoring Greenwood’s historic brilliance, elevating present-day champions, and advancing the work safeguarding its legacy.
Taking place on Friday, May 29, 2026, in Tulsa, Oklahoma with co-hosts Charles Coleman Jr. and Karen Hunter, the Greenwood 120 Gala will set a new standard for how Greenwood’s story is told, centering the voices, resilience, and leadership of those who are preserving its legacy. The evening will recognize extraordinary leaders whose work embodies the enduring spirit of Greenwood, including:
- Angela Rye, co-host of Native Land Pod and national political commentator, who will receive the Truth-Telling & Education Award, honoring leaders who shape public understanding through truth, education, and vision.
- Bryan Stevenson, Founder and Executive Director of the Equal Justice Initiative, who will receive the Fight for Our Rights & Dignity Award, recognizing those who confront injustice through advocacy, litigation, and moral leadership.
- John W. Rogers Jr., a Greenwood descendant and Chairman and Co-CEO of Ariel Investments, who will receive the We Are Greenwood Award, honoring descendants who preserve and advance Greenwood’s living legacy across generations.
Convening 250 industry heroes, executives, supporters, descendants, justice leaders, and advocates, the Greenwood 120 Gala will include a red carpet hosted by correspondent Tiffany Cross, a cocktail reception, a dinner, and an awards program featuring remarks from Well-Being Master Teacher, Advisor, and Healer Devi Brown. Notable figures, on-stage talent, and a distinguished group of ambassadors including Erika Alexander, Ben Crump, and Tamika Mallory, among others, will further underscore the significance and impact of the gathering.
The Gala is uniquely positioned at the intersection of multiple historic milestones, including 120 years since the founding of Greenwood, 105 years since the Tulsa Race Massacre, 160 years since the Creek Treaty of 1866, and 250 years since the founding of the United States. Together, these anniversaries underscore the urgency and significance of advancing reparatory justice at this moment in time.
“For generations, people have tried to reduce Greenwood to a tragedy, but Greenwood was one of the greatest examples of Black love, cooperation, and excellence this country has ever seen,” said Damario Solomon-Simmons, Esq., M.Ed., President & Chief Legal Counsel, Justice For Greenwood. “What our ancestors built in Oklahoma became a model for what was possible when a community had the freedom to dream, own, and create for itself. The work today is making sure that legacy is not frozen in history, but carried forward by descendants and communities all over America who still believe in the principles that built Greenwood in the first place.”
“When I was a little girl in Greenwood, I remember a community full of people who cared for one another and believed they could build a better life for their families,” recalled Lessie Benningfield Randle, known as “Mother Randle,” the last known living survivor of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. “Even after everything that happened, that spirit stayed with us. I want young people and descendants to understand that Greenwood was not only about what we lost, but about what our people created together. Seeing others like my attorney Damario Solomon-Simmons and Justice For Greenwood continue to carry that forward means a great deal to me.”
Justice for Greenwood is a grassroots, 501(c)(3) organization with a big vision: to get Respect, Reparations, and Repair for the Greenwood community for the near century of historical omissions and continued harm caused by the 1921 Massacre, through survivor and descendant support, public education, and advocacy.
