Tulsa and Chicago students learn about 1919 Chicago Race Riot and 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre
TULSA, Okla. March 2, 2022 – For the second year, the Oklahoma City Thunder and Chicago Bulls are partnering to provide a virtual Black history classroom exchange to teach Tulsa and Chicago high school students about two tragic events in U.S. history often left out of school curriculum – the Chicago Race Riot of 1919 and the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre.
Beginning today, students from African American history classes at Chicago’s South Shore International College Preparatory High School and Tulsa’s McLain High School of Science and Technology will virtually participate in six interactive workshops together. In addition to today, workshops dates are March 9, April 6, April 20 and April 27.
The Thunder and the Bulls launched the multi-year partnership in 2021 on the heels of the centennial recognition of the Chicago Race Riot and just ahead of the 100-year mark of the Tulsa Race Massacre. This year, the curriculum is designed to inspire students to explore how resilience can be a vehicle to drive change through arts and culture within their communities.
“It’s so important that we continue to teach students about these chapters of history that were previously not discussed for decades,” said Christine Berney, vice president of Community Engagement for the Thunder. “By elevating these events, we’re educating students on the significance of Black Wall Street and the resilience of the Greenwood District. We’re preparing the next generation to better understand how we view our society today and how they can create meaningful change in their community.”
For more information, visit www.okcthunder.com/bhm.