TTCU Federal Credit union in Tulsa, Okla., will donate $100,000 over the next four years to the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Centennial Commission and Greenwood Rising, a local history center.
The $2.4 billion-asset credit union said the center will honor the legacy of Black Wall Street before and after the massacre. It is under construction with a scheduled public opening in June, TTCU said in a press release.
The 1921 incident, in which a white mob attacked residents, homes and businesses in the predominantly-black Greenwood neighborhood of Tulsa, is considered one of the worst incidents of racial violence in U.S. history.
The donation is the latest example of credit unions contributing philanthropic dollars toward causes that advance issues of racial justice, and diversity, equity and inclusion.
“Greenwood Rising will become one of the most transformative initiatives for our city and nation, leading the way towards greater racial healing and justice,” TTCU President and CEO Tim Lyons said in the release. “We think it’s important to learn from the past as well as look forward to the future, and we are very honored to help support this vital effort.”
The 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Centennial Commission aims to educate visitors about the massacre and its impact on the state and nation while also remembering its victims and survivors, among other goals.
“We are grateful for the financial support of TTCU to help us build Greenwood Rising,” said Phil Armstrong, project director of the commission. “These funds get us closer to our fundraising goal to finalize the visitor offerings within the history center and provide programming to facilitate the reconciliation and healing process.”
TTCU earned $23.2 million in 2020, compared with $17.4 million the year before, according to call report data from the National Credit Union Administration.
