Beyond Apology Commission Meeting – March 20, 2026

The Beyond Apology Commission (Tulsa reparations body) met on March 20, 2026, at 1:05 PM (agenda listed 7:15 PM – time discrepancy noted). The meeting covered plans for the National Reparations Conference, updates from the Greenwood Trust, committee progress reports, and community announcements.

Consent Calendar

• The minutes from the February 20, 2026 meeting were approved by voice vote (motioned and seconded, all in favor).

Ancestral Acknowledgement

• Commissioner Taylor West read the ancestral acknowledgement.

Chairwoman's Remarks and Key Updates

• Chairwoman Christy reported:
  • The National Reparations Conference will be held April 24–26, 2026 at Langston Tulsa, closing at Historic Vernon AME Church. Partners include First Repair, Robin Rue Simmons, and possibly Dr. Julianne Malveaux and Dr. Joy DeGruy. Registration fee: $19.21 (optional round up to $20). Proceeds will support the commission's trip to Evanston next year.
  • A closed-door session for elected officials from across Oklahoma will be held, and another for faith leaders.
  • Education committee will lead a workshop; Health & Wellness committee to set up a wellness room.
  • April 8, 2026: "Day at the City" – meeting with city councilors to update them on commission work and invite to conference.
  • She is working on an ordinance to handle remains and artifacts from mass graves and construction. Currently no federal protection for African American remains/artifacts (unlike NACRA for Indigenous). She is collaborating with black archaeologists and has contacted state legislators. This is a policy committee priority.
• Vice Chair Matisse Mason reported on a meeting with Brentham Todd (Deputy Chief of Staff). He expressed that the meeting was productive, building trust with the city. He emphasized that the commission should be involved in any city conversations about reparations/repair. He asked for clarity on the Greenwood Trust's communication and asked what the commission can do to be a supportive partner rather than a hindrance.

Greenwood Trust Update

• Elena Beverly, inaugural executive director of the Greenwood Trust, gave an update: She was hired in October 2025, developing infrastructure. The trust aims to raise $105 million: $24M for housing (homeownership, preservation), $21M for legacy (education, entrepreneurship, early childhood, scholarship), $60M for cultural preservation (investing in community-led arts/cultural archiving, not a new building). She emphasized community participation in shaping programming and promised representation from the commission.
• Commissioner raised concerns that the commission has been "boxed out" of trust planning despite being the original ask. Brentham Todd clarified that the $75 million from the Improve Our Tulsa (IOT3) vote has not been committed to the Greenwood Trust; it is still to be voted on by the city council. He noted that funds are intended for housing in the Greenwood district, but no entity has been designated yet.
• The chairwoman reiterated that the commission's housing recommendation from Beyond Apology was for $24M of the $75M IOT3 funds for reparative housing. She stressed that the trust is not reparations (since it's not from the harm-doers), and the commission must continue pushing for direct reparations and the city's housing recommendation. She referenced Evanston's $25,000 reparations model as an example.
• Commissioner mentioned attending an IOT3 information session and noted that historically disinvested areas (North and East Tulsa) are being considered. Commissioner Greg Taylor and another will meet with Jeff Hall to advocate for the commission's recommendations.

Committee Reports

• Housing: No formal report, but work with Jeff Hall on IOT3 dollars continues.
• Education: Chairwoman reported that the committee is finalizing recommendations to share next month.
• Health & Wellness (Commissioner Damali Wilson): Committee met Wednesday with Dr. LaBron Posha and Angela Barnett. They will meet weekly for six weeks to engage more members. Will soon elect chair and vice chair.
• Community Economic and Land Development (Commissioner?): Met Tuesday with Tim Newton and Carlos Morenos. Identified three priority areas: land identification, protection, and preservation. Will meet weekly on Fridays at 1 PM to maintain momentum and expand committee membership.
• Systems Change/Policy: Chairwoman reported progress on the artifacts/remains ordinance. Also will address municipal jail care (with Rev. Francetta Mays). Invited Commissioner Monday to join.
• Cultural Identity: No meeting yet, but will be highlighted at the National Reparations Conference to recruit community members.

Public Comments & Community Announcements

• A bond vote for Tulsa Public Schools is on April 7, 2026. (Commissioner noted they could not say which way to vote but encouraged learning about it.)
• Update on Tulsa Tech North campus fire: The second-oldest campus suffered catastrophic damage, but the board member (also on Tulsa Tech board) confirmed they will rebuild and potentially expand. There is a 5,000+ waitlist for Tulsa Tech. Rebuilding expected to take about two years; partnerships with community agencies for interim programming are being implemented.
• Childcare crisis: A commissioner noted state funding dropped from $70 million to $7 million. They are going to ask the city to participate. Encouraged commissioners to use connections with legislators, governor, DHS.
• April 4, 2026: Housing class (from application to closing) hosted by Vanessa and chairwoman.
• Upcoming events shared by staff:
  • Community Pop-up Care Village (Beherd Movement, March 21, 2026) – offering free services.
  • Navigating Student Loans online webinar (Office of Financial Empowerment).
  • Neighborhoods and Financial Resource Fair, May 7 at Rudisil Library.
  • Rising Together Tulsa Recovery Summit (mental health/addiction).
  • April 21: State Lion Day at the Capitol – lobby for Langston University.
  • DIY skills workshop, March 28.
• Introduction of Ashanti Chaplin, new Director of Office of Public Art and Community Partnerships.
• Business cards for Beyond Apology available.

Key Outcomes

• Meeting minutes approved.
• National Reparations Conference confirmed for April 24-26, 2026; registration set at $19.21.
• Committee work sessions scheduled: Health & Wellness and Community Economic & Land Development will meet weekly for coming weeks.
• The commission will continue to advocate for the $24M housing recommendation from IOT3 funds as reparations, separate from the Greenwood Trust.
• Chairwoman will draft an ordinance for protection of African American remains/artifacts and work with policy committee to present to city council.
• A "Day at the City" with councilors scheduled for April 8.
• Meeting adjourned.