Nationwide to Back Tulsa Race Massacre Centennial Event
The day after the conference, Tulsa will dedicate Greenwood Rising: The Black Wall Street History Center.
Nationwide is supporting the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Centennial Commission by contributing cash and speakers to the commission’s Economic Empowerment Day conference.
The two-day massacre started May 31, 1921. During the massacre, White residents of Tulsa set fire to homes and businesses in the Greenwood District, a neighborhood that had been popular with Black residents and included a “Black Wall Street” area. The attackers also bombed the neighborhood with aircraft. The massacre killed hundreds of Black residents, and it crushed many of the city’s Black-owned businesses.
The 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Centennial Commission has organized weeks of programming to commemorate the destruction.
Nationwide is contributing $100,000 to fund the Economic Empowerment Day conference and related event.
The conference will take place June 1.
Eric Stevenson, president of Nationwide Retirement Solutions, is an Oklahoma native, and he will be the co-host for the day.
Gale King, who is retiring as Nationwide’s chief administrative officer, and Kristi Martin Rodriguez, the Nationwide Retirement Institute leader, will participate in panel discussions.
Speakers at the conference will discuss topics related to the racial wealth gap and inequality in access to capital in the United States, according to Nationwide.
Organizers will dedicate Greenwood Rising: The Black Wall Street History Center, June 2.
Attending virtually costs $19.21. Registration proceeds will benefit the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Centennial Fund.
Eric Stevenson, president of Nationwide Retirement Solutions. (Photo: Nationwide)