Missy Washington is a Spring 2025 Policy & Advocacy Intern. Learn more about her: Missy Washington
Honoring Black Leadership: Reflections from “Honoring the Past and Charting the Future: Black Mayors on Legacy, Leadership & The Road Ahead”
As Black History Month draws to a close, Oklahoma took a moment to reflect on the past, present, and future of Black leadership in the state. On February 26, the Inclusion & Diversity Consortium, presented by Schnake Turnbo Frank and Arvest Bank, hosted a powerful discussion titled “Honoring the Past and Charting the Future: Black Mayors on Legacy, Leadership & The Road Ahead.”
The event featured two remarkable leaders: Edmond’s first Black mayor, Darrell Davis, who is stepping away from public office to enjoy retirement, and Tulsa’s first Black mayor, Monroe Nichols, who has recently stepped into this historic role. Their conversation underscored both the progress Black leaders have made in Oklahoma and the challenges that remain.
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Leadership, Legacy, and the Road Ahead
Mayor Darrell Davis’s election was deeply significant, not only as a milestone in Edmond’s history but because of the city’s painful past as a sundown town— a place where Black Americans were explicitly excluded through racial intimidation, violence, and segregation. For much of the 20th century, Edmond had no Black residents, a consequence of discriminatory policies, violence, and systemic exclusion. Mayor Davis acknowledged the lasting impact of this history on Oklahoma’s Black communities and the continued wariness many still feel toward Edmond.
Reflecting on his time in office, Mayor Davis spoke candidly about the weight of leading a city with such a legacy. While his tenure symbolized progress, he recognized that true inclusivity requires more than symbolic change. Despite efforts to bridge racial divides and foster dialogue, many marginalized communities still perceive Edmond as unwelcoming, a reality he does not ignore. His leadership sought to challenge this perception, encouraging growth, reflection, and accountability.
One striking moment of the conversation came when Mayor Davis noted that, despite their shared experiences as Black leaders in Oklahoma, he had yet to meet Mayor Nichols. He expressed regret over this, remarking on the importance of unity and allyship among Black leaders in the state. As he steps away from public office, Mayor Davis emphasizes his belief in community, collaboration, and the necessity of continued progress—reminding all of us that leadership extends far beyond one’s time in office.
Connecting the Past to the Present
Mayor Nichols, now at the helm of Tulsa, shared his vision for the city’s future— one centered on equity, economic development, and civic engagement. His election as Tulsa’s first Black mayor is a monumental moment in a city deeply shaped by racial history— from the wealth and innovation of Black Wall Street, to the horror of the 1921 Tulsa Massacre, to the more recent tragedy of Terrence Crutcher, an unarmed Black man killed by a white Tulsa police officer in 2016. Nichols’s leadership represents both a historic step forward and an ongoing responsibility to confront these past injustices while building a more inclusive Tulsa.
The discussion served as a powerful reminder that Black leadership in Oklahoma is not new— it is deeply rooted in the state’s history. Through my work with the Oklahoma Black Homesteader Project as a Graduate Research Assistant, I have seen firsthand how Black pioneers carved out spaces of self-sufficiency and resilience in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Under the Homestead Act, Black settlers came to Oklahoma to claim land, establish businesses, and build thriving communities— many of which endured despite systemic racism, violence, and economic barriers.
Oklahoma holds the distinction of having more historically all-Black towns than any other state. At their peak, these towns stood as testaments to Black self-governance and independence, producing generations of entrepreneurs, educators, and civic leaders. Likewise, Black Wall Street in Tulsa was home to some of the nation’s first Black millionaires, demonstrating the power of Black economic mobility even in the face of systemic oppression. The election of Mayor Monroe Nichols is not just a historic milestone—it is a continuation of the fight for justice, representation, and opportunity that Black Oklahomans have been engaged in for generations.
Looking Forward
As Black History Month comes to an end, it is not enough to simply acknowledge the past—we must actively work toward a more just and equitable future. The conversation between Mayors Davis and Nichols serves as an important reminder that progress happens when communities come together, when leadership is intentional, and when history is recognized as the foundation for the future.
From the homesteaders who carved out a place in Oklahoma’s history to the leaders shaping the state today, Black Oklahomans have always been at the forefront of progress and transformation. The work is far from over—but if history has shown us anything, it is that Black leadership in Oklahoma is here to stay.