LOCAL
Kimberly Marsh, The Oklahoma Eagle
Mr. Greenwood, poses as the 1 in 918 at Chapman Green. He was instrumental in starting the 918 Day Festival. Photo courtesy of Tony Williams.
Tony Williams didn’t seek out the title of Mr. Greenwood. He earned it, he says, after businesses in the Historic Greenwood District recognized his passion and ability to draw attention to his cause.
Williams spoke to the national media during the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre centennial about his love of community. He stirred up interest in 2024 for an annual 918 Day Festival. He asked Mayor Monroe Nichols for a citywide proclamation about a unifying project called “Go Green for Greenwood” — a call to action for businesses and residents to light up their homes and buildings in green lights.
Over the years, longtime residents could often find Williams riding his bike downtown with a big smile and a hug or handshake for anyone he met.
The Oklahoma Eagle sat down with Williams to talk about his Mr. Greenwood persona.
This conversation has been edited for clarity and length.
Kimberly Marsh: What does it mean to you to be dubbed “Mr. Greenwood?”
Tony Williams: I was grateful to be given that name. I didn’t name myself. But by taking it on, I’ve accepted the responsibility to keep this Greenwood community spirit alive, to be a beacon of hope and light in this city. It’s my responsibility to be a bridge this city needs.
KM: How did the name originate?
TW: It came from the work I was doing, and it is a mix of two nicknames people gave me. In 2020, when [President] Donald Trump came [to Tulsa], I had made this T-shirt that said, “Make Greenwood Great Again.”
We had world media here and I was always being interviewed about Greenwood. Kode Ransom, a historian here, started calling me “Greenwood Williams.” A shop owner, Cleo Harris, called me “Mr. Black Wall Street.” So my nickname became Mr. Greenwood.
KM: Aside from your public persona, who are you?
TW: I’m a lover. I’m a brother. I’m a friend. I’m very approachable and I love loving on people. I grew up right off Pine and Peoria, a block from Greenwood, and played at Lacy Park. My dad raised me. He was an amazing provider, spiritual leader and role model. He was somebody who everybody respected. Had I not grown up here, I don’t think I would have known about the massacre.
I was a worship leader at a multicultural church for 10 years. I think church is training for taking what you learn outside of the building into the community. I attended Tulsa Public Schools. I got my diploma from Tulsa Job Corps and a trade in business and office work.
I’ve been in fashion for a long time. I was one of the team members that opened Forever 21 here. After that, I started a clothing line called T-Town Essence, focused on Tulsa culture and history. I didn’t want to sell Greenwood T-shirts without doing my part in a creative way.
KM: At your request, Nichols issued a “Go Green for Greenwood” proclamation as a way to commemorate the Tulsa Massacre in solidarity with businesses across the city.
On the day you received the proclamation, you said it had been an emotional week. What’s behind that?
TW: What happened here in Greenwood, 104 years ago, was devastating. We still feel the effects of it especially in the Black community. But that week, it was more of a good emotion for me, seeing people from all walks of life coming together in support of the proclamation and something bigger than ourselves. That’s what moved me. Community is at the heart of Greenwood and that spirit holds people together. My vision is to see us all come together, not just as Greenwood, but as a whole city.
KM: You teamed up with Downtown Tulsa Partners (DTP) for the 918 Day Festival, which is set to take place again this year from 5-9 p.m. Sept. 18 at Chapman Green. How did it originate? What is its purpose for you?
TW: There was nothing going on for 918 Day as a whole. At the moment I was thinking about an event, I ran into Morgan Phillips, who used to be with DTP. I pitched the idea and the rest is history. We shot a promo video for it at the festival site at Chapman Green, so organizing for the next 918 Day is well underway. My vision for the festival is to highlight all the diverse cultures in a celebration that draws from every area.
KM: Are there community spaces today in Greenwood where people can gather?
TW: Yeah, but honestly, some of the best community happens on the benches outside. That’s how people know me, just sitting out there, talking, being present. It’s not always about big events or money. It’s about us coming together, connecting as people.
KM: Where can people find you if they want to meet you in person?
TW: You will see me in the Greenwood District. You’re gonna see me somewhere downtown. Utica Square is also a special place for me because I’ve got a lot of family history around it.
My great-auntie was a store manager for [the] Russell Stover’s store there, and my great-grandmother took me with her to Dillard’s when she shopped for dresses. The clerks took me around the center and I came back with loads of candy. I live to spend time there at night, under the lights, so another place you’ll see me is at Summer’s Fifth Night.
