Tulsans Celebrate Monroe Nichols Winning Mayoral Race

Citizens of Tulsa elected the first Black mayor, Monroe Nichols.

“I think Tulsans bought in on being bold and visionary, and frankly accountable for the future," said Nichols. 

He said the celebration is over, and now he's ready to get to work.

Leaders in Greenwood say they were hoping for a candidate who could honor and understand Tulsa’s history and lead the city into the future.

Spirits were high at the Greenwood Cultural Center for the Monroe Nichols watch party as supporters celebrated his victory.

"The energy and electricity we felt was the fact that everyone has a voice," said Tiffany Crutcher, with the Terence Crutcher Foundation. 

Dr. Crutcher was a part of Nichols’ campaign, and said it was all about volunteers and community involvement.

"We brought the people’s issues to the ballot," she said.

She said the election of the city’s first Black mayor is significant, given Tulsa’s dark racial past.

"They built something beautiful, and because of hatred and racism and bigotry, it was all washed away," she said. "103 years later, to elect the first black mayor of Tulsa and on this sacred ground, the people before us are proud and rejoicing.”

"I feel like this is another resurgence of an amazing legacy of resilience of a return to the economic prosperity and thriving we experienced 100 years ago," said Kuma Roberts.

Kuma Roberts is the CEO of the Black Wall Street Chamber that helps with local business development. She's excited to see how Nichols will help Tulsans.

“It's a big deal for our businesses and community that I can look at our city hall, and see someone who looks like me, building black and brown businesses for this community," she said. 

Nichols plans to meet with Mayor G.T. Bynum Thursday, followed by a joint a news conference.

Nichols has said his first priority is to tackle homelessness.