With Dr. Franklin’s lifelong devotion to scholarly analysis and social progress as a model, the John Hope Franklin Center for Reconciliation is developing a consortium of academic institutions, historical societies, and organizations devoted to equality, racial justice and social harmony to continue his legacy.
This nationally unique Center focuses on these broad goals:
Education – Increasing public knowledge and understanding
Scholarship – Creating new knowledge through scholarly work
Community Outreach – Opening conversations to bring communities together
Archives – Laying a foundation for scholarship by gathering materials for research
By building community partnerships, the Center has launched several immediate projects, with these specific objectives:
Sponsor the national symposium (May 29-31, 2013) to create knowledge and understanding of Tulsa’s and our nation’s history
Gather documentary evidence to be used by scholars and students in establishing the historical record – beginning in early 2010
Document the energy and resilience of the Greenwood community both before and after the Riot – on-going in all projects
Create opportunities for high school and university students to participate in historical research and hear public presentations by eminent scholars – in all projects
Ultimately, the serious work of reconciliation will occur in the John Hope Franklin Center building, which will house galleries, archives, a digital story-telling booth, documentary projects, conference space, and other facilities appropriate for a historical site of national significance. Through education and community dialogue, the Center’s “parlor” will create an atmosphere for healing and reconciliation.