Tulsa kicks off diversity initiative

TULSA — Tulsa officials want the city’s immigrants to be better-educated, have more economic opportunities, be more engaged in the city’s government and have more trust in law enforcement so Tulsa can reach its full potential as a world-class city.

Mayor G.T. Bynum’s office on Thursday morning announced its goals for the New Tulsans Initiative — 26 milestones that the administration hopes to accomplish by 2020 and help make the city formerly known as the Oil Capital of The World one of the most inclusive cities in America.

Christina da Silva, community development and policy director for the city, said meeting the goals will change the city for the better.

“If we can accomplish these things, we can have a city that thrives with leadership that’s representational. We would have immigrants and all residents have economic opportunities that really amplify not only local business, but provide financial security for everyone.”

Da Silva noted the venue for Thursday’s launch, Martin Regional Library, a place she described as “symbolic.” It’s an area of east Tulsa that has seen its Hispanic population grow and is home to businesses that have grown across the city and state such as Supermercados Morelos.

“We know that diversity is strength. I used to work at Up With Trees, and we talked a lot about this concept in terms of trees because the urban forest, which is the trees that make up your community . ... It’s so important to plant a diverse group of trees,” said Julie Davis of the YWCA of Tulsa.

One of the five themes the New Tulsans Welcoming Initiative is providing equitable access to education. The two large Tulsa school districts, Union and Tulsa public schools, praised the goals. Both districts count Hispanics as their largest demographic group.

“Tulsa is a world-class city, and now we have a clear roadmap in place to ensure that our immigrant and refugee communities are welcomed, supported and connected with the resources and services that they need to thrive. We are grateful to Mayor Bynum and his team for their visionary leadership on developing the New Tulsans Initiative Welcoming Plan,” said Deborah Gist, Tulsa Public Schools superintendent.