This year’s excavation will mainly focus on the western and southernmost portion of the cemetery. Investigators expect the work to be complete by the end of October.
Author Archives: Ismael Lele
Ismael Lele is the business reporter at The Oklahoma Eagle. He is a Report for America corps member. Ismael has been reporting since he was in high school, where he channeled his interest for writing into the school newspaper. While at the University of Oklahoma, he wrote for the OU Daily as a sports and city reporter and, finally, as a news editor. Ismael found his passion for community journalism while attending city council meetings in Norman. He went on to spend a summer in Phoenix, Arizona as a Carnegie Knight News 21 fellow and researched the state of American democracy. Before joining The Oklahoma Eagle, he interned at The Tulsa World. Now, his reporting highlights Tulsa’s Black community and the north Tulsa area.
Posted inFood
‘Don’t open a restaurant’: State of Black Food conference opens with blunt advice from chefs’ panel
The four-day conference focused on Black and brown culinary pros is back for a second year in Tulsa. Events include mental health wellness sessions and a chef showcase.
Posted inCulture
10 hours, 3 prompts and $1K on the line in Tulsa short film competition
Whoever creates the best 60-second short film within a day wins “Prompt to Premiere,” a Tulsa Tech Week competition hoping to attract more than 1,000 entries.
Posted inBusiness
Food desert no more: Grocery shopping returns to downtown Tulsa after a decade
Oasis Fresh Market has opened its doors at the ARCO Apartment in downtown, ending a food desert of more than a decade. Regular business hours will begin Sept. 28.
Posted inBusiness
The Boxyard closed 3 months ago, but the businesses didn’t. Here’s where you can find them now.
From new locations to hybrid operations, life after The Boxyard looks different for nearly every business that once called the shipping container plaza in the Blue Dome District home.
Posted inBusiness
Tulsa’s ties to AI boom grow with arrival of new manufacturing facility
City and state officials welcomed Crusoe’s new AI manufacturing facility near the airport Monday. The company plans to add more jobs to its 300-person workforce.
Posted inGovernment
Tulsa is halfway to its goal of housing 1,300 homeless by the end of 2026
The city’s Safe Move Tulsa coalition has housed more than 650 people and closed another two encampments. Advocates say this isn’t “mission accomplished.”
Posted inBusiness
Tulsa ports employment bouncing back as Inola, Catoosa anticipate new investments
Tulsa Ports says employment is nearly back to pre-pandemic levels ahead of new investments, including the controversial Inola smelter proposal.
Posted inBusiness
Greenwood’s historic buildings to get $650K upgrade thanks to federal grant
It’s the fourth time the National Park Service has given Greenwood funds to restore commercial buildings on Black Wall Street. Leaders say they need more dollars.
Posted inBusiness
Oasis planned to open a downtown grocery store in June. Tariffs and delays keep pushing it back.
Oasis Fresh Market had its eyes on a June opening date. That goal has moved back to mid-September due to tariffs, building codes and shipping obstacles.
Posted inFood
Step Up to The Grill delivers fierce barbecue competition on Black Wall Street
The competition started with nine participants. At the 2026 edition on Labor Day Weekend, 21 grill masters will compete to take home the title of best barbecue.
Posted inFood
Take 2 Café celebrates 10 years with new location and bigger space in downtown Tulsa
The café, which will soon open inside the Palace Building, employs formerly incarcerated women and offers housing, addiction treatment and therapy.