Beyond Apology Commission Regular Meeting

Vice Chair Matisse Mason presided over the meeting on Friday, August 21, 2026, in the absence of Chair Christy Williams. Seven commissioners were present, achieving quorum. The meeting began with an ancestral prayer and roll call.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the minutes from the June 26, 2026 meeting as presented. Motion passed unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Special guests Dr. Tammy Moore (OSU Tulsa faculty), Cynthia Soto, and Landon Wolf presented the research methodology and findings behind the Beyond Apology report. They collected data from 83 participants in four listening sessions, identifying eight themes that later formed the basis of the commission's committees. The themes include education, financial compensation, and others. The research team emphasized the qualitative approach, including arts-based and written submissions. Commissioners expressed deep appreciation for the work, noting it grounds the commission in evidence.

Discussion Items

• Chair's Report (read by Vice Chair Mason on behalf of Chair Williams):
  • 2027 Reparation Summit: Consideration of hosting a second summit on an annual basis. Commissioners discussed the need for cost data from the previous summit and agreed to bring a formal vote to the next meeting.
  • Grave Ordinance: The proposed ordinance addressing discovery and treatment of Black ancestral remains has been submitted to the city legal department for review; the commission is awaiting feedback.
  • First Repair Reparation Summit (Evanston): Registration is open for December 2026. Commissioners were informed that the city will not provide travel funding this year after a one-time support last year.
• Committee Reports:
  • Health & Wellness Committee (Commissioner Demaria Munday): The committee is mapping health initiatives in North Tulsa and forming a subcommittee including members from Crossover and other organizations. They are promoting Crossover's upcoming 5K on October 3 and addressing maintenance issues at the Big Heel trail (e.g., a gully needing gravel).
• Old Business:
  • Update on grave ordinance status — still pending legal feedback.
  • Discussion of the 2027 summit planning: Commissioners agreed to place it as a formal action item on the next meeting's agenda, as it could not be voted on due to the Open Meetings Act constraints. A request was made for cost and partnership data from the 2026 summit.
• New Business:
  • Evanston summit registration and self-funding: Commissioners will seek sponsors or grants.
  • Commissioner vacancy: Noted that Pastor May has not officially resigned; therefore no vacancy exists.
• Public Comments:
  • An announcement for the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity's Prostate Cancer Health Symposium on September 19, 2026 at First Baptist Church North Tulsa was made, inviting attendance.

Key Outcomes

• The June 26, 2026 meeting minutes were approved.
• The commission will vote on starting planning for the 2027 Tulsa Reparation Summit at the next meeting; cost and logistics information will be gathered beforehand.
• The grave ordinance remains under city legal review; no further action at this time.
• Health & Wellness Committee continues its work, with the Crossover 5K scheduled for October 3.
• Travel to the Evanston summit will be self-funded by commissioners; the city will assist with finding sponsors.
• Discussion about committee functionality and bylaws was deferred to the next meeting agenda.
• The meeting adjourned unanimously.