Multiformat team delivers expansive AP coverage during centennial of Tulsa Race Massacre
This photo provided by the Department of Special Collections, McFarlin Library, The University of Tulsa shows A man stands in the ruins of what is described as his home in the Greenwood district of Tulsa, Okla., in the aftermath of the June 1, 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, in a photo provided by the University of Tulsa. On May 31, carloads of Black residents, some of them armed, had rushed to the sheriff’s office in downtown Tulsa to confront whites who were believed to be planning to lynch a Black prisoner. Gunfire broke out. and over the next 18 hours, white mobs carried out a scorched-earth campaign against Greenwood. Some witnesses claimed they saw and heard airplanes overhead firebombing and shooting at businesses, homes and people in the Black district. More than 35 city blocks were leveled, an estimated 191 businesses were destroyed, and roughly 10,000 Black residents were displaced from the neighborhood. Most historians and experts who have studied the event estimate the death toll to be between 75 and 300. Victims were buried in unmarked graves that, to this day, are being sought for proper burial.
(Department of Special Collections, McFarlin Library, The University of Tulsa via AP)
By Aaron Morrison, Sean Murphy, Ken Miller, Sue Ogrocki, Noreen Nasir, Ellen Knickmeyer, Deepti Hajela, Cliff Brunt, Jonathan Landrum, John Locher, Peter Smith, Samantha Shotzbarger, Darlene Superville and Jonathan Lemire
With the 100th anniversary of the Tulsa Race Massacre months away, text and visual journalists from AP’s Race and Ethnicity, Central Region and Enterprise teams embarked on a plan to dig deeper into the story of the atrocity, beyond just covering the centennial events.
New York-based writer Aaron Morrison and Chicago-based multiformat journalist Noreen Nasir, both covering race and ethnicity, and Oklahoma photographer Sue Ogrocki teamed up in Tulsa weeks ahead of the anniversary to explore the city and meet descendants of massacre survivors, who opened up about the horrific event and how it continues to impact their families and the community a century later. Among those they met was the family of Ernestine Alpha Gibbs, who survived the massacre and died 18 years ago at age 100.
Her relatives showed Morrison,Nasir and Ogrocki photo albums and VHS tapes of Gibbs describing how a white mob in 1921 leveled Greenwood,the Black section of Tulsa. A thriving business district was destroyed,more than 1,000 homes were burned and as many as 300 people killed. Gibbs and her family temporarily fled the city but returned. She recalled it in a 1994 home video: “Even though the riot took away a lot, we still graduated.”
Carolyn Roberts, daughter of Tulsa Race Massacre survivor Ernestine Alpha Gibbs, holds family photos of the Gibbs’ family business during an interview in Tulsa, Okla., April 11, 2021. Roberts said although her parents lived with the trauma of the massacre, it never hindered their work ethic: “They survived the whole thing and bounced back.” – AP Photo / Sue Ogrocki
Carolyn Roberts, daughter of Tulsa Race Massacre survivor Ernestine Alpha Gibbs holds family photos of the Gibbs’ family business during an interview, in Tulsa Okla., April 11, 2021. – AP Photo / Sue Ogrocki
Descendants of Tulsa Race Massacre survivor Ernestine Alpha Gibbs, from left, granddaughter-in-law Tracy Gibbs, great-grandson LeRoy Gibbs III and grandson LeRoy Gibbs II, are interiewed in Tulsa, Okla., April 11, 2021. – AP Photo / Sue Ogrocki
Tulsa Race Massacre survivor Ernestine Alpha Gibbs holds one of her grandchildren, DeShayla Roberts, in an undated family photo. Gibbs died 18 years ago, at age 100. – Courtesy Carolyn Roberts via AP
Tulsa Race Massacre survivor Ernestine Alpha Gibbs poses in her 1923 high school graduation photo in Tulsa, Okla. – Courtesy Carolyn Roberts via AP
A graduation photo and the high school diploma of Tulsa Race Massacre survivor Ernestine Alpha Gibbs are displayed by her descendants during an interview in Tulsa, Okla., April 11, 2021. – AP Photo / Sue Ogrocki
Morrison’s powerful writing and the striking visuals of Nasir and Ogrocki were the foundation for a three-part series of stories about the lost wealth and racial inequality that Black Tulsans endured and that infused this past weekend’s commemoration. The stories included some special multimedia moments: audio of Gibbs’ daughter reading her mother’s personal account of the massacre for the first story of the series, and drone images by Ogrocki for the second piece that artfully show how the Greenwood community has been cut off from Tulsa by a freeway.
Other enterprise stories leading up to the actual massacre anniversary dates — May 31 and June 1 — included Oklahoma legislative writer Sean Murphy’s piece about how Black Tulsa residents still struggle to have a political voice, and Oklahoma writer Ken Miller’s story about descendants of Black victims of the massacre preparing to resume a search for remains believed to have been buried in mass graves. Washington writer Ellen Knickmeyer wrote of the Greenwood economy booming before the massacre, in part because of post-Civil War treaties that compelled Native American nations to share wealth with their freed Black slaves. New York-based race and ethnicity writer Deepti Hajela and Oklahoma sports writer Cliff Brunt delivered stories that examined how history books and law enforcement each depicted the massacre. Entertainment writer Jonathan Landrum wrote a story on the release of numerous documentaries on the tragedy.
The coverage was not without breaking news. The appearance by President Joe Biden to commemorate the massacre (covered by White House writers Jonathan Lemire and Darlene Superville) seemed like it would be the biggest update to the schedule,but that would change when organizers for the headline “Remember & Rise” event — to feature John Legend and Stacey Abrams — canceled because of “unexpected circumstances with entertainers and speakers.” Oklahoma’s Murphy worked his political and racial injustice sources, resulting in a story about how an agreement couldn’t be reached over monetary payments to three survivors for their appearance at the event. The story also highlighted the broader debate on what reparations can mean for victims and descendants of racial violence.
Tulsa Race Massacre survivors, from left, Hughes Van Ellis Sr., Lessie Benningfield Randle and Viola Fletcher, wave from a horse-drawn carriage before a march in Tulsa, Okla., May 28, 2021, during ceremonies marking the centennial of the 1921 massacre. Earlier in the month, the three gave testimony in a panel about the massacre in the U.S. House of Representatives. – AP Photo / Sue Ogrocki
Members of the Tulsa African Ancestral Society lie on the ground in homage before survivors of the Tulsa Race Massacre who ride in a carriage during centennial commemorations of the tragedy, in Tulsa, Okla., May 28, 2021. – AP Photo / John Locher
With the historic Vernon African Methodist Episcopal Church at foreground left, Interstate 244 cuts through the middle of historic Greenwood neighborhood of Tulsa, Okla., May 24, 2021. Although the church was nearly destroyed in the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, parishioners continued to meet in the basement, and it was rebuilt several years later, becoming a symbol of the resilience of Tulsa’s Black community. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2018. – AP Photo / Sue Ogrocki
People hold their hands against a prayer wall outside of the historic Vernon African Methodist Episcopal Church in the Greenwood neighborhood during the centennial of the Tulsa Race Massacre, in Tulsa, Okla., May 31, 2021. – AP Photo / John Locher
A neon sign adorns the historic Vernon AME church in the historic Greenwood neighborhood of Tulsa, Okla., May 27, 2021, ahead of centennial commemorations of the Tulsa Race Massacre. – AP Photo / John Locher
Edna Osborne, center, holds her head down in prayer during the dedication of a prayer wall outside of the historic Vernon African Methodist Episcopal Church in the Greenwood neighborhood of Tulsa, Okla., during the centennial of the Tulsa Race Massacre, May 31, 2021. – AP Photo / John Locher
The Rev. Robert Turner, pastor of the historic Vernon African Methodist Episcopal Church, conducts a service at the church in Tulsa, Okla., April 11, 2021. Speaking about the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, he says, “What happened in Tulsa wasn’t just unique to Tulsa. This happened all over the country. It was just that Tulsa was the largest. It damaged our community. And we haven’t rebounded since. I think it’s past time that justice be done to atone for that.” – AP Photo / Sue Ogrocki
A montage of pictures from the Tulsa Race Massacre is displayed by a shop in the historic Greenwood neighborhood of Tulsa, Okla., May 27, 2021, ahead of centennial commemorations. – AP Photo / John Locher
People walk past a mural for Black Wall Street in the Greenwood district during centennial commemorations of the Tulsa Race Massacre, in Tulsa, Okla., May 30, 2021. – AP Photo / John Locher
Demetrius, left, and Loretta Boyd walk by a sculpture recognizing the Tulsa Race Massacre at the John Hope Franklin Reconciliation Park in Tulsa, Okla., May 26, 2021. “History and education, and you have a sense of calmness and peace,” said Demetrius Boyd about visiting the park for the first time. – AP Photo / John Locher
A sculpture commemorating the Tulsa Race Massacre stands in John Hope Franklin Reconciliation Park in Tulsa, Okla., April 14, 2021. – AP Photo / Sue Ogrocki
Chief Egunwale Amusan, right, of the African Ancestral Society, whose aunt is believed to have been killed in the violence, and Tiffany Crutcher discuss the original Black Wall Street and the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre while on a tour given by Amusan in Tulsa, Okla., April 12, 2021. – AP Photo / Sue Ogrocki
Chief Egunwale Amusan of the African Ancestral Society stands in front of the Mabel B. Little Heritage House while leading a Black Wall Street tour in Tulsa, Okla., April 12, 2021. “I’ve read every book, every document, every court record that you can possibly think of that tells the story of what happened in 1921,” Amusan told the tour group. “But none of them did real justice. This is sacred land, but it’s also a crime scene.” – AP Photo / Sue Ogrocki
James Goodwin, owner of the Oklahoma Eagle newspaper, pauses during an interview in Tulsa, Okla., April 14, 2021. “Greenwood proved that if you had assets, you could accumulate wealth. … It was not a matter of intelligence, that the Black man was inferior to white men. It disproved the whole idea that racial superiority was a fact of life.” The Black newspaper was established in Tulsa a year after the massacre. – AP Photo / Sue Ogrocki
Artist Dawn Tree is interviewed at the Black Wall Street Market in Tulsa, Okla., April 10, 2021. “There’s trauma that’s blanketed over this city,” says Tree of 1921’s Tulsa Race Massacre. “Going forward, whatever is done to atone for what happened 100 years ago must be done for the north side community.” – AP Photo / Sue Ogrocki
A woman gestures toward a picture of devastation from the Tulsa Race Massacre in a prayer room dedicated to the massacre at the First Baptist Tulsa church during centennial commemorations in Tulsa, Okla., May 30, 2021. The church provided space to explore the history of the 1921 massacre and to prayerfully oppose racism. – AP Photo / John Locher
A man looks at a Black Wall Street mural in the historic Greenwood neighborhood of Tulsa, Okla., May 27, 2021, ahead of centennial commemorations of the Tulsa Race Massacre. The area, originally know as Black Wall Street, was destroyed a hundred years ago when a murderous white mob laid waste to what was the nation’s most prosperous Black-owned business district and residential neighborhood. – AP Photo / John Locher
Amman Raheem, left, and Kene Daniels watch a documentary called “Rebuilding Black Wall Street,” during a drive-in screening of documentaries during centennial commemorations of the Tulsa Race Massacre, in Tulsa, Okla., May 26, 2021. – AP Photo / John Locher
People watch from their car during a drive-in screening of documentaries marking the centennial of the Tulsa Race Massacre, in Tulsa, Okla., May 26, 2021. – AP Photo / John Locher
Darius Kirk looks at a mural depicting the Tulsa Race Massacre in the historic Greenwood neighborhood ahead of centennial commemorations of the massacre, in Tulsa, Okla., May 27, 2021. – AP Photo / John Locher
People hold candles at a vigil during centennial commemorations of the Tulsa Race Massacre in the historic Greenwood neighborhood of Tulsa, Okla., May 31, 2021. – AP Photo / John Locher
Linda Porter of Birmingham, Ala., kneels at a makeshift memorial of flowers for the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre at steps leading to a now-vacant lot near the historic Greenwood district, during centennial commemorations of the massacre, in Tulsa, Okla., June 1, 2021. “We came to remember,” said Porter. – AP Photo / John Locher
Las Vegas photographer John Locher traveled to Tulsa as well,seeking out events like a drive-in movie theater showing a documentary about the massacre. His photos complemented both enterprise and spot coverage.
Jerry Schwartz,Tom McCarthy,Tim Jacobs,Amy Shafer,Gary Fields,and Mona Malone edited the enterprise stories for the Tulsa package. Doug Daniel,Sally Stapleton,Chris Sundheim,Andrea Thomas,David Aguilar,and Dirce Toca edited the spot stories.
Andale Gross and Adam Causey were enterprise and spot story coordinators,respectively. Kim Johnson and Patrick Sison were photo coordinators for the project,which also included historic photos from the Department of Special Collections,McFarlin Library, The University of Tulsa.
The ruins of Dunbar Elementary School and the Masonic Hall in the aftermath of the June 1, 1921, Tulsa Race Massacre in Tulsa, Okla., in a photo provided by the University of Tulsa. – Department of Special Collections, McFarlin Library, The University of Tulsa via AP
Crowds watch fires during the June 1, 1921, Tulsa Race Massacre in Tulsa, Okla., in a photo provided by the University of Tulsa. – Department of Special Collections, McFarlin Library, The University of Tulsa via AP
Fires burn during the Tulsa Race Massacre in Tulsa, Okla., June 1, 1921, in a postcard photo provided by the University of Tulsa. – Department of Special Collections, McFarlin Library, The University of Tulsa via AP
Armed men walk toward the camera as buildings burn during the Tulsa Race Massacre in Tulsa, Okla., June 1, 1921, in a photo provided by the University of Tulsa. – Department of Special Collections, McFarlin Library, The University of Tulsa via AP
A man, condition unknown, lies on the bed of a truck parked in front of the Convention Hall, as others sit next to him under guard of a man in civilian attire during the Tulsa Race Massacre in Tulsa, Okla., June 1, 1921, in a postcard photo provided by the University of Tulsa. – Department of Special Collections, McFarlin Library, The University of Tulsa via AP
The Mt. Zion Baptist Church burns during the Tulsa Race Massacre in Tulsa, Okla., June 1, 1921, in a photo provided by the University of Tulsa. – Department of Special Collections, McFarlin Library, The University of Tulsa via AP
Black men are marched past the corner of 2nd and Main Streets in Tulsa, Okla., under armed guard during the Tulsa Race Massacre, June 1, 1921 in a photo provided by the University of Tulsa. – Department of Special Collections, McFarlin Library, The University of Tulsa via AP
The visual presentation for the stories on lost wealth and racial inequality were overseen by Raghu Vadarevu and Samantha Shotzbarger. They also created the Tulsa Race Massacre hub,collecting all the coverage.
Alex Sanz helped with video coordination and edits,and Alina Hartounian and Josh Cornfield put together the social plan. Combined,the stories drew some 250 downloads on AP Newsroom,almost 100,000 pageviews on the AP News site,and about 40,000 Facebook interactions.
For sweeping enterprise and spot coverage that raises awareness of this grim milestone in American race relations,the team of Morrison,Murphy,Miller,Ogrocki,Nasir,Knickmeyer,Hajela,Brunt,Landrum,Locher,Smith,Shotzbarger, Superville and Lemire earns this week’s Best of the States award.
Visit AP.org to request a trial subscription to AP’s video,photo and text services.
