TULSA, Okla.–Marking a historic turning point in the city’s history, Monday’s inauguration of Monroe Nichols as the first Black mayor of Tulsa inside the Greenwood Cultural Center symbolized his unapologetic plans to move the city forward.
Speaking to hundreds of Tulsans from various backgrounds, political parties and walks of life, Nichols included in his inauguration speech one of the oldest people in the room, 110-year-old Tulsa Race Massacre survivor Mother Lessie Benningfield Randle.
“Mother Randall, one of two living survivors, has not become weary but has instead built a legacy. She was witness to the darkest moment in our city’s history, and today, over a hundred and three years later, she is here to witness the inauguration of Tulsa’s first Black mayor,” Mayor Nichols said. “What you have endured, the mantle you continue to carry, for your grace as mayor, I simply say thank you.”
First Black Tulsa mayor seeks change and accountability
Signifying his intention to build relationships with the Tribal nations in which Tulsa resides (Cherokee, Muscogee Creek, Osage), Nichols’ speech was preceded by a performance from the Tulsa Indian Club Singers.
“Before Tulsa was Tulsa, it was Indian country; 188 years later, as Tulsa sits on the reservation of three Tribal nations, it remains Indian country,” Nichols said. “This administration will always stand on the side of Tribal sovereignty.”
Mayor Monroe Nichols is a Democrat who served eight years in the Oklahoma state Legislature before besting a Republican-supported Democratic county commissioner in the Nov. 5 election. He used his inauguration address to highlight his commitment to eradicate homelessness and expand affordable housing, improve trust and reimagine public safety, address education and income inequality and respect Tribal sovereignty.
Ultimately, his ambitious address represented a desire to take Tulsa in a new direction. It also represents a record of proposals the community will hold him accountable to achieving.
Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols: End homelessness, expand housing
When it comes to homelessness and affordable housing, data from Tulsa’s annual Point-in-Time count shows the number of individuals on the street has risen over the last year. The previous administration of G.T. Bynum faced criticism for attempting to use heavy-handed police tactics to force homelessness out of sight. Meanwhile, Mayor Nichols has promised a more empathetic approach that balances community safety and human dignity.
“We must confront the crisis of homelessness. The data tells us our numbers are up 22 and a half percent since 2023. Homelessness is a complex challenge, and in the coming weeks, we’ll be launching a new comprehensive effort aimed at addressing homelessness, getting us to functional zero homelessness by 2030,” Mayor Nichols said. “Our goal is 6,000 new affordable units by 2028, and the clock to get there starts right now.”
Reimagining public safety and advancing education
Several mayoral administrations have failed to expand trust between law enforcement and historically excluded communities like north and west Tulsa. The city held the 10th highest rate for police killings of civilians in 2023, according to Mapping Police Violence.
“Safety is not just the absence of crime. It’s the presence of trust and opportunity in every neighborhood at every level,” Mayor Nichols said. “It’s about strengthening relationships, creating a more accountable government, and ensuring neighborhoods are places where all residents can thrive.”
Notably, Tulsa has become ground zero for far-right Oklahoma State Superintendent Ryan Walters’ “war on woke.” He’s threatened to downgrade Tulsa Public Schools’ accreditation, he’s called teachers terrorists, and he’s amplified hateful misinformation that resulted in several bomb threats against schools in Tulsa last year.
On the campaign trail, Nichols vowed to stand up for the city’s children and teachers against state overreach. He also committed to making the city more hands-on in supporting local education.
“Academic success is the foundation upon which opportunity is built. And every child in this city deserves access to a high-quality education. Soon, we will launch the Office of Children, Youth, and Families and begin our work taking a cradle-to-career approach,” Mayor Monroe Nichols said.
Mayor Monroe Nichols: Equitable development and Tribal sovereignty
For decades, north and west Tulsa communities have enjoyed little to no economic development as the rest of the city continues to grow. That’s changed just in the last few years, but Mayor Nichols wants to spearhead an overdrive in equitable, economic development.
“Over the next four years, we will prioritize investing in all parts of the city so that everyone has an equal shot. We will focus on workforce development and infrastructure, champion our local businesses, and invest in entrepreneurship, cut the red tape at City Hall, and work to attract diverse industries.”
Finally, Mayor Monroe Nichols promised to reverse course on the city’s efforts to assert jurisdiction and control over Tribal nations. He vowed to respect Tribal sovereignty and establish a new office to build a government-to-government relationship.
“Soon, I will appoint the city’s first director of Tribal Policy and Partnerships,” Mayor Nichols announced.
He stressed his desire to “work with our Tribal leaders and the citizens they represent on issues ranging from public safety and economic development to education and housing, as well as making Tulsa the gateway to Indian country—not known only for our origins at the Council Oak Tree, but for the great promise of the future we’re about to start building together.”
Nichols ended by saying, “So, let us face this moment with courage and compassion and prove to ourselves and to the world that Tulsa’s brightest days are ahead.”
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- Monroe Nichols becomes first Black mayor of Tulsa
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