Honoring ‘jewels’: Ceremony celebrates 24 north Tulsa elders for years of service

The north Tulsa community spent part of Thursday morning giving elders their flowers while they’re still alive. Friends and family gathered at First Baptist Church North Tulsa to share gratitude and reflections for the service of 24 honorees at the “Honoring Our North Tulsa Jewels” award ceremony.

Princetta Rudd Newman, Tulsa historian and founder of Black Wall Street Tours, Inc., hosted the event. She said the spirit of the gathering was “give me my flowers while I yet live.”

The event honored “elders who have given much of their lives to north Tulsa. They have taught in our schools, served in our churches, built businesses, raised families, cared for neighbors, broken barriers and helped make this community what it is,” Newman wrote. 

Brentom Todd, deputy chief of staff for Mayor Monroe Nichols, attended the ceremony on behalf of the mayor. 

“There is no Tulsa without north Tulsa and the history of Greenwood,” Todd said. “North Tulsa’s history is not only sustained — but oftentimes best known by — the people who have come before us.”

Beyond their awards, honorees received a gift bag that included a letter from Nichols and a proclamation from state Sen. Regina Goodwin, D-Tulsa.

Students from Booker T. Washington High School also attended the ceremony.

Tracye Love Chandler, whose mother was recognized, told The Eagle it’s important for younger generations to be in communication with their elders. 

“They are our living history,” she said following the ceremony. “I’m hoping to glean, learn and just take what they taught us and put it back out into my community. I have some amazing people that I can mirror after.”

The Oklahoma Eagle’s longtime publisher, the civil rights advocate and attorney James O. Goodwin, was among the honorees.

You can find the full list below: