Greenwood Cultural Center Certifies First Tulsa Race Massacre Descendant

The Greenwood Cultural Center and local nonprofits have initiated a community-led certification process to officially recognize descendants of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre survivors, with Nathaniel K. Nash, son of survivor Ruth Dean Nash, becoming the first certified descendant. Though the certification carries no legal authority, it aims to honor survivors' legacies, preserve historical identity, and potentially support future reparations claims. The process involves verifying documentation such as land and death records to establish direct lineage, encouraging descendants to maintain and share their family histories. This initiative also seeks to safeguard Greenwood’s history from distortion by outside entities and to reinforce community control over how the district’s story is told. Additionally, events like the Gathering Greenwood exhibit and a free family reunion are planned to unite descendants, share oral histories, and foster intergenerational connections. Organizers hope these efforts will deepen investment in Greenwood’s future and ensure its history is not forgotten.