Centennial Commission at the Greenwood Cultural Center led by Armstrong, state Sen. Kevin Matthews, D-Tulsa, and John Hope Franklin Center Executive Director Reuben Gant.

Also announced was a May 30 groundbreaking for the Path to Hope, a walking tour of the original Greenwood area. That project is being financed with $750,000 from the Stadium Trust Authority under the terms of the agreement that resulted in the construction of ONEOK Stadium.

Most questions from the audience Thursday night dealt with the potential economic impact of the project and whether it would benefit the neighborhood financially. Several people wanted assurances that black-owned businesses would have a fair chance at construction contracts.

Kristi Williams and City Councilor Vanessa Hall-Harper criticized what they said was a lack of community engagement in the planning of the project.

Williams wanted to know the George Kaiser Family Foundation’s role in the project, and appeared skeptical of GKFF’s motives.

Matthews, Armstrong and Gant said GKFF has provided fundraising expertise and some start-up funds, and that it has one of nine board positions in the joint venture.