1921 Awards

May 31, 2023, will commemorate 102 years since the Tulsa Race Massacre, where the American epicenter of Black entrepreneurship, business, and wealth was destroyed. By 1921, Greenwood had over 100 Black-owned businesses, including a hospital, library, movie theaters, and retail stores that were burned to the ground. We have created the 1921 Awards to celebrate and elevate five Black Tulsans who have worked diligently to build successful businesses and community-based organizations despite lacking adequate resources.

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We’re granting five, Black Tulsans an award of $1,921 to assist with various projects to support the growth of their businesses.

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Who’s Eligible?

Native Tulsans or long-term Tulsan (spent more than half of your life in Tulsa)
For-profit Small businesses owner in operation for 3 years or more
Must have business legal structure (LLC, LLP, S-Corp, C-Corp, Sole Proprietorship, etc.)
You must be Black or African American
Industries Agnostic, excluding Cannabis
Recipient must be 18 or older

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How to Apply

You can nominate yourself and complete and online application
You can nominate someone else and they will be sent the application to complete

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How are Awardees Selected?

The Build in Tulsa team will review nominations and application materials, and we’ll decide which awardees will be selected based on business success, commitment to community, and how they embody the spirit of Black Wall Street.

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Grantees will be notified on May 1, 2023 and must accept the award by May 4, 2023. We’ll record honorary videos the week of May 8th to showcase at our June 1st Female Founders Pitch Night.

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Connect with a Build In Tulsa team member.

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Testimonials

Founder

Desiree Lindsey

“My time in the residence has been absolutely amazing! I was fortunate enough to receive this opportunity after being back in Tulsa for only a month. The community and resources that Build in Tulsa has provided have pushed me beyond what I ever imagined for my first few months back home. The staff is full of knowledge and they do everything in their power to connect you with mentors and like minded individuals that are outside of Build in Tulsa. Everyone in this environment truly wants to see you be successful and to see the other residents working just as hard to grow and learn is so motivating.”

Founder

Tim Butler

“I consider my time in residence to be "God-sent." Before coming to 36N Basecamp II, I used to work from home. Having small children along with personal family/life demands, I found it difficult often to work without distractions or hindrances. On the contrary, now being in an atmosphere with like-minded people (my fellow BIT EIRs and other entrepreneurs), I find that issue has waned. I feel motivated and inspired to come into 36N to work on my business. I feel that I learn something new and forge new connections and relationships everyday! I look forward to what the rest of the Build In Tulsa Accelerator has to offer as I continue my business coaching with Desiree and scale my company with the knowledge and skills I'm learning as an Entrepreneur in Residence.”

Founder

Krystal Speed

“Participating in Build In Tulsa's Female Founder's Pitch Competition was an incredible experience! It was my first time officially pitching. Through the support that Build in Tulsa's team (Desiree and Ashli) provided through the pitch clinic and practicing with other founders, I was able to clarify my messaging and also formalize many aspects of my business that only existed in my head. By pitching in the competition I was able to share Your HR Strategist with the Tulsa entrepreneurial community and increase my network. The ongoing coaching and resources that Build in Tulsa has provided has undoubtedly helped accelerate the growth of my business and my comfort level in pitching my services to prospective clients, partners and funders.”