Black Excellence Exchange Inspires Economic Growth Ideas For Tulsa

The Black Wall Street Chamber of Commerce is back from a trip to Atlanta, where members learned about economic initiatives they hope to implement here in Tulsa.

News On 6's MaKayla Glenn spoke with Kuma Roberts, the president of the Black Wall Street Chamber, who says they're calling the trip the "Black Excellence Exchange."

Roberts says the trip from Oct. 29 to Nov. 1 was planned for a while.

They reached out to the Atlanta Black Chambers and learned about Atlanta's Black Wall Street market, which offers shopping, dining, and tours, inspired by O.W. Gurley and the original 'Black Wall Street' in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Roberts said the trip aimed to celebrate success, discuss common challenges, and establish ways to work together in the future.

“I think one of the main things we learned is that we need some more wraparound services for entrepreneurs, ways that they can connect, ways that they don’t fall off the cliff as they're building and growing and sustaining their businesses," Roberts said. "So, we’ve got a lot to learn from what’s happening in Atlanta, but I’m excited to begin the process of making that happen for our entrepreneurs right here in Tulsa."

Roberts says 24 community leaders from Tulsa, including pastors, a radio personality, journalists, and more, made the trip; the chamber raised money to pay for it themselves.