GTAC Meeting – April 14, 2026

The Greater Tulsa African American Commission (GTAAC) held its regular meeting on April 14, 2026, starting at 6:00 PM with a quorum present. The meeting covered approval of previous minutes, a guest presentation on adaptive leadership, committee reports, and several community announcements. Key actions included appointing committee chairs and assigning retreat planning to a special committee.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of March minutes: Moved by Commissioner Love, seconded by Commissioner Bond, passed unanimously by voice vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Patricia Al-Sharif (teaching assistant at Kinder Video Elementary) announced her candidacy for president of support staff union Local 6049, seeking votes by May 16. She expressed a strong commitment to fighting for a winning wage, stating she is "fired up" and will work tirelessly.

Guest Presentation

• Mike Davis from Leadership Tulsa presented on adaptive vs. technical challenges, introducing a framework for working in the gap: diagnosing the situation, managing oneself, energizing others, and skillfully intervening. He emphasized that most community issues require adaptive, long-term solutions rather than quick fixes, and encouraged commissioners to use the OII cycle (Observe, Interpret, Intervene) to experiment and make progress. He offered his contact information for follow-up.

Committee Reports

• Executive Committee (Chair): Presented the GTAAC alignment and operating framework, including estimated time commitments for roles (3–5 hours/month for committee chairs). Discussed the bank account: Tulsa Community Foundation charges $500 annually or 3% (whichever is greater), which would eat 10% of the anticipated $5,000–$10,000 budget. The committee proposes partnering with an existing 501(c)(3) nonprofit as a fiscal agent to avoid fees. Commissioners were asked to email suggestions. Also discussed a potential strategic retreat, to be planned by the Strategic Focus Committee.
• Policy Committee (Commissioner JP): Reported on a productive meeting covering data on immigration’s impact, a draft email to the Parks Commission for information, the Beyond Apology preparation summit (April 24–25 at Langston), and a housing overlay proposal for North Tulsa (300 attendees at one town hall, 100 at another). The overlay would allow by-right construction of six‑unit complexes. It is expected to go to City Council on May 7.
• Culture Committee (Commissioner McNeil): Working on a social media campaign with monthly videos from different commissioners; sign-up sheet available in the shared email (gtacculturecommittee@gmail.com). Also creating an organizational chart/database of community organizations and a shared public calendar. All commissioners will be added to the documents.
• Human Rights Commission Liaison (Commissioner McNeil): HRC chair and vice chair met with Mayor Nichols to improve access to resilience and equity resources. Another goal is increasing diverse representation on authorities, boards, and commissions; the committee is analyzing ABC composition by race and gender, with focus on economic opportunity, transportation, and education.

Key Outcomes

• Appointments: Michael Bond (Urban Coders Guild founder) approved as Education Committee chair; Jamila Stuckey and Dr. Dickens approved as co-chairs of the Strategic Focus Committee.
• Retreat Planning: Assigned to the Strategic Focus Committee (composed of executive committee and standing committee chairs) to develop a date and agenda.
• Bank Account: Executive committee to vet nonprofit fiscal agent proposals from commissioners; partnership model preferred over TCF fees.
• Policy Committee: Will send a joint email to the Parks Commission seeking data relevant to the commission’s work.
• Culture Committee: Social media video schedule to be finalized by week’s end; all commissioners invited to contribute to the organizational database.
• Adjournment: Motion by Commissioner Love, seconded by Commissioner Bond, passed unanimously.

Announcements Shared During Meeting

• Black Tech Street AI workshop (Aspire) – Saturday, April 18, 10 AM–6 PM at Langston University Tulsa, free with childcare.
• Legacy Mixer (Historic Greenwood District Main Street, Living Cities, Hands) – April 14, until 8 PM at Mopon.
• Fair Housing Summit – Tuesday, April 28.
• Rising Together Tulsa Recovery Summit – Saturday, May 16 at Tulsa Tech, 8 AM–1 PM.
• Reparations Summit “From Apology to Repair” – April 24–26 at Langston University Tulsa, registration $19.21 plus service fee.
• “Are You Smarter Than a Kipster?” – April 23 at Arvis Convention Center, 5:30 PM.
• Davis Monarch Ball – May 1 at Orvis Convention Center.
• Nominations open for “Dad of the Year” – $1,000 cash and up to $15,000 in prizes.