The Story Behind the Images:
– Top Group Photo: This photograph of the Greenwood District community and business leadership group was taken during the district’s peak growth era between 1910 and 1920—an era when Greenwood stood as one of the most prosperous Black communities in America, a self-sufficient hub of businesses, schools, churches, and culture.
– J.B. Stradford (Bottom Left): A portrait of the prominent businessman and lawyer who built the luxurious Stradford Hotel, taken around 1915. The hotel was among Greenwood’s crown jewels—a symbol of Black ambition and excellence.
– Dr. A.C. Jackson (Bottom Center-Left): A portrait of the renowned surgeon, taken around 1910. Known as one of the finest physicians in the region, Dr. Jackson was tragically killed during the 1921 massacre—his loss a profound wound to the community.
– Mary E. Jones Parrish (Bottom Center-Right): A portrait of the journalist, teacher, and author of *Events of the Tulsa Disaster*, taken around 1920. Her firsthand account remains one of the most important primary sources documenting the massacre and its aftermath.
– O.W. Gurley (Bottom Right): A portrait of the wealthy landowner and entrepreneur, widely regarded as one of the founding fathers of Black Wall Street, taken in 1906 around the time he first purchased the land that became Greenwood.
Why This Poster Belongs on Your Wall:
This 8×10 print is more than a collection of photographs—it is a tribute to a community that built extraordinary wealth, culture, and self-determination against the odds, and to the leaders whose names deserve to be remembered. Perfect for history enthusiasts, educators, students of Black history, and anyone committed to preserving the truth of Greenwood’s story, this poster brings a powerful and important chapter of American history into your home, classroom, or office.
Product Details:
– Size: 8×10 inches (standard frame size, easy to frame and display).
– Format: Composite poster featuring five distinct historical photographs.
– Subjects: Greenwood District leadership group (1910–1920); J.B. Stradford (~1915); Dr. A.C. Jackson (~1910); Mary E. Jones Parrish (~1920); O.W. Gurley (1906).
– Historical Context: The Greenwood District (“Black Wall Street”), Tulsa, Oklahoma; destroyed in the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre.
– Style: High-quality reproduction of original archival photographs.
Perfect For:
– History buffs and students of Black history and the Tulsa Race Massacre.
– Classroom, library, or office decoration.
– A meaningful gift for educators, community leaders, and collectors of historic photography.
*Note: As reproductions of early 20th-century photographs, slight variations in tone, contrast, and image quality reflect the character of the original archival materials.*
