The 1921 Awards recognize Tulsa and Tulsa-native entrepreneurs who embody the spirit of Black Wall Street, builders who lead with resilience, innovation, and a genuine heart for community. As Community Engagement Manager at Build in Tulsa, I believe this work is about connection, access, and continuity.
As a Community Engagement Manager, my role is rooted in connection.
I meet founders where they are. I listen to their stories. I hear about what is working, what is not, and what could shift everything if the right opportunity came at the right time. One thing is consistent. Many long-standing entrepreneurs are building strong businesses without the level of visibility, capital, or ecosystem support they deserve.
That is where the 1921 Awards matter.
Rooted in the legacy of Black Wall Street, the 1921 Awards are not simply about recognition. They reflect values that once made Greenwood a model of economic strength. Ownership. Circulation of resources. Resilience. Collective progress.
Black Wall Street was powerful not only because of the number of businesses that existed, but because of how those businesses showed up for one another and for their community. The spirit of Greenwood was about building something sustainable and interconnected.
Today, I see that same spirit in Tulsa entrepreneurs who stay rooted in their neighborhoods, invest back into their communities, adapt through economic shifts, and lead with both business acumen and heart.
The 1921 Awards create space to intentionally affirm those builders.
The 1921 Awards are grounded in a thoughtful and structured evaluation process. Nominees are reviewed based on three core criteria:
These criteria ensure that recognition is not simply about visibility. It is about honoring entrepreneurs whose businesses and leadership reflect both excellence and responsibility. The award comes with a $1,921 cash prize, to not just honor, but reward perseverance.
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Community engagement is relationship building. It is identifying gaps and helping close them. It is recognizing that sometimes entrepreneurs are one connection or one opportunity away from meaningful growth.
The 1921 Awards serve as a bridge.
They connect legacy to present-day leadership.
They connect recognition to tangible support.
They connect entrepreneurs to broader visibility within Tulsa’s ecosystem.
Through this award, we are not only celebrating history. We are investing in continuity.
As part of Build in Tulsa, I have the responsibility of ensuring that entrepreneurs who reflect the spirit of Greenwood are not overlooked. That means encouraging applications. That means advocating for founders who have quietly built sustainable ventures. That means recognizing that longevity and community impact matter.
The 1921 Awards represent something larger than a ceremony.
They represent Build in Tulsa’s commitment to closing wealth gaps through entrepreneurship.
They represent the belief that businesses rooted in community deserve both capital and visibility.
They represent forward movement grounded in historical awareness.
When we honor entrepreneurs who embody the spirit of Black Wall Street, we are saying that legacy is not frozen in 1921. It is active. It is evolving. It lives in the founders building today.
That is why this work matters.
And that is why the 1921 Awards matter to Tulsa.
If you or someone you know should be nominated for a 1921 Award, please click here to learn more and submit an application. Deadline is Friday, April 3rd.