GREENWOOD RISING • FIVE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY
AN EVENING OF REFLECTION & CELEBRATION
Greenwood Rising’s fifth-anniversary gala brought together supporters, community members, and special guests to celebrate a shared commitment to preserving and telling Greenwood’s story.
The evening honored the people and partnerships behind this work while looking toward the next chapter. Thank you to everyone who helped make this milestone possible.
FIVE YEARS
OF IMPACT
Greenwood’s story encompasses the achievements of Black Wall Street, the devastation of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, and the determination of a community that rebuilt. This anniversary offered an opportunity to reflect on the work of sharing that history and the people who sustain it.
Welcomed from across the country and around the world.
Total number of K-12 & University students engaged through field trips and educational experiences.
Represented by visitors who came to experience Greenwood’s story.
Guided experiences brought Greenwood’s history to life.
Tulsa Public Schools students connected directly with Greenwood’s legacy.
Of surveyed visitors rated their experience positively.
VOICES OF THE EVENING
BECKY DIXON & J.C. WATTS JR.
Anniversary Celebration Emcees
Becky Dixon and J.C. Watts Jr. served as emcees for Greenwood Rising’s fifth-anniversary celebration, guiding an evening of reflection and recognition. Together, they helped bring the program’s voices and tributes into a shared celebration of Greenwood’s legacy and the community supporting Greenwood Rising’s next chapter.
MARA GAY
Journalist and Keynote Speaker
Mara Gay joined Greenwood Rising’s fifth-anniversary celebration as keynote speaker, lending her voice to an evening of reflection, recognition, and community. Her participation helped mark a milestone dedicated to sharing Greenwood’s history, honoring its resilience, and celebrating the people and partnerships supporting Greenwood Rising’s future.
HONORING THOSE WHO HELPED SHAPE THE JOURNEY
The anniversary celebration recognized the Hille Foundation, Phil Armstrong, and Kevin Matthews. Their contributions were honored as part of an evening reflecting on Greenwood Rising’s first five years.
HILLE FOUNDATION
Remarkable institutions are never built alone. They require partners who believe deeply enough in the mission to invest in its future. The Hille Foundation—and especially Mary Ann Hille and Maggie Hille Yar—demonstrated that belief in an extraordinary way. Their generosity extended far beyond financial support.
By making possible the very site on which Greenwood Rising stands today, they helped transform a vision into a permanent place of learning, reflection, and hope. That gift created a home where this important story will continue to educate generations to come. Some partnerships change an organization. Others change what’s possible.
KEVIN MATTHEWS
As founder of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Centennial Commission, Senator Kevin Matthews envisioned more than a centennial observance. He imagined a place that would preserve the history of Greenwood, educate visitors from around the world, and inspire conversations that continue long after they leave. That vision became Greenwood Rising.
Thousands of people have now walked through these doors, learning not only about tragedy, but also about resilience, determination, entrepreneurship, and hope. That lasting impact began with someone willing to imagine what didn’t exist.
PHIL ARMSTRONG
From his work helping lead the Centennial Commission as Project Director to serving as Greenwood Rising’s Interim Executive Director, Phil Armstrong accepted the enormous responsibility of transforming an ambitious idea into a world-class institution. Launching Greenwood Rising required assembling a team, building partnerships, earning community trust, and welcoming visitors from across the country and around the globe.
Because of Phil’s steady leadership during those formative years, Greenwood Rising opened with excellence and established itself as one of our nation’s most important cultural institutions.
MOMENTS FROM THE CELEBRATION
PARTNERS WHO MADE IT POSSIBLE
Thank you to the sponsors and partners whose generosity helped make Greenwood Rising’s fifth-anniversary celebration possible. We are grateful for your support and your commitment to this work.
ALPHA PHI ALPHA
FRATERNITY, INC.
Gayle Sullivan
J.C. Watts, Jr.
Sam & Rita Combs /
COMSTAR Advisors
SKGF
Glenda Love &
Timothy Williams
Lynn L. Jones
Joey Wignarajah
Phil & Monique
Armstrong
Metropolitan
Baptist Church
Donnie L. Nero
Larry & Eleanor Payne
Jon Lawrence
Judy Eason
McIntyre
Yvonne Holmes
Monica Basu &
Todd Brown
Jennifer Fletcher
Shuntasia Coleman
“Our fifth anniversary was an opportunity to reflect on the impact we have made while looking ahead to where we are going. Over the past five years, Greenwood Rising has welcomed visitors from around the world, engaged students and educators, and created meaningful conversations about Historic Greenwood and the Black Wall Street mindset.”
”This celebration recognized the people, partners, and supporters who have made this work possible while recommitting us to preserving this history and inspiring future generations.”
CARRY THE STORY FORWARD
THE NEXT CHAPTER
OF GREENWOOD RISING
NEEDS YOU.
The anniversary marked a milestone in work that continues. Experience Greenwood’s story, explore its enduring lessons, and join us in supporting the future of Greenwood Rising.