FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

 

John Hope Franklin Center for Reconciliation

Launches Capital Campaign for New Building

 

(TULSA, OK – December 2025) – The John Hope Franklin Center for Reconciliation announces the launch of a capital campaign to develop a facility in the Historic Greenwood District at Reconciliation Park. This project underscores our commitment to capturing the spirit and wisdom of John Hope Franklin and striving to create an institution that ensures history serves as a powerful and constructive force to rectify the ills of society—change our community.

 

The new building will be a welcoming and inclusive space dedicated to community engagement, education, and the promotion of justice for all. It will provide a rich tapestry of resources while focusing on the examination of local history and fostering reconciliation through communal learning. Visitors will experience history like never before. Permanent and traveling exhibits, symposiums, and storytelling, will not only highlight the legacy of the Greenwood District but also acknowledge the importance of preserving memory of place and shared histories unequivocally defining of Tulsa and Oklahoma history and culture.    

 

“The vision for the John Hope Franklin Center for Reconciliation is to establish a foundation where learning, service, engagement, and research converge to build and disseminate knowledge,” said Reuben Gant, executive director of the Center.

With the support of our community, we aim to ensure that our collective memory will serve as a powerful tool for healing, justice, and preservation of truth. In a time when history and culture face unprecedented challenges, our commitment to safeguarding our stories becomes essential for honoring lived experiences.

 

We invite individuals, local businesses, and organizations to join us in this important endeavor. Your support will not only help build this vital resource but also contribute to shaping a more informed and empowered future for generations to come. Together, let’s ensure that the lessons of our past become the foundation for a brighter and more equitable tomorrow.

The Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering reconciliation and trust through scholarly endeavors and positive community engagement, inspired by the legacy of Dr. John Hope Franklin. The Board of Directors plays a vital role in advancing this mission, striving to convert the long-standing bitterness and mistrust stemming from years of racial division and violence into a hopeful future characterized by reconciliation and cooperation, not only for Tulsa but for the nation as a whole.

 

Media Contact: Reuben Gant, Executive Director, 918-295-5009, rgant@jhfcenter.org