Tulsa Race Massacre Survivors Granted Ghanaian Citizenship

Two Survivors of the 1921 Massacre of Black People in Tulsa, OK (USA)

In 1921, about 300 black residents of Greenwood, a prosperous town then known as “Black Wall Street”, were murdered and their homes and businesses destroyed by a mob of white people during the Tulsa Race Massacre. Fletcher and Ellis, along with Lessie Benningfield Randle (108), are among the last-known living survivors of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. Through their historic public nuisance lawsuit, they continue to demand reparations more than 100 years after a white mob tore through their neighborhood, murdering hundreds of Black residents and destroying thousands of buildings and homes.

Over the course of two days, the thriving Greenwood District, known as Black Wall Street, had been devastated beyond recognition. The impact can still be seen today in racial disparities across wealth, education, employment, health, and the criminal legal system.

The violence that destroyed the Greenwood community was perpetrated not only by white civilians, but also by city law enforcement officers. Attackers dropped firebombs on the community from US military aircraft and private planes.

Nevertheless, there has been little action at the federal and local levels to compensate the Tulsa Race Massacre survivors and their descendants for the pain and deprivation they have endured over the years.

Ghana Provides Tulsa Race Massacre Survivors the “Respect” the USA won’t

The pair was granted Ghanaian citizenship on February 28, 2023 during a private ceremony held at the Ghana Embassy in Washington DC. The historic ceremony took on even greater meaning in light of their decades-long struggle for justice in the United States.

The Justice for Greenwood Foundation, which works with survivors of the massacre and their descendants, said the pair have become the oldest African-Americans to be granted citizenship of Ghana.

The foundation said it was “proud to stand in solidarity with the survivors, celebrating their resilience and their contribution to the history” of black Oklahoma

The Year Of Return

Fletcher and Ellis visited Ghana for the first time in 2021, where they were given a royal welcome and commended for their strength and resilience.

The siblings were also given new names to mark the occasion. As she was crowned a queen mother, Fletcher was honored as “Naa Lamiley” (“Somebody who is strong. Somebody who stands the test of time”). Ellis was made a chief and dubbed “Ike Ohe Ndi Igbo” (“Strength of the Igbo”) and “Nii Lante” (“Loves helping other people because he has a kind heart”). Fletcher described the experience as “wonderful,” while Ellis said, “I felt like a king. It made me so proud to be there.”

During their visit, Ms. Fletcher and Mr. Van Ellis also met President Nana Akufo-Addo, who had invited members of the African diaspora to visit Ghana to mark the 2019 “Year of Return”, commemorating 400 years since the first African slaves were said to have arrived in the USA.

“This country is your country, and anyone who wants to come to re-establish, connect with us here, is welcome.”

Nana Akufo-Addo, President of Ghana

Ghana was a key transit point for transporting slaves and the president said his country felt a responsibility to welcome all those who could trace their ancestry to Africa. The initiative was also aimed at boosting Ghana’s economy, particularly tourism, as well as its international image.

The country attracted a number of celebrities in 2019, including model Naomi Campbell, actor Idris Elba, comedian Steve Harvey and American rapper Cardi B.

Pathway to Dual Citizenship in Ghana

Ghana is paving the way for Africans in the Diaspora to return home and be conferred their rightful heritage. Learn more about how to gain Dual Citizenship in Ghana.