Watch Tulsa's Buried Truth

In the year 1921, Tulsa was a vibrant city with a booming business district known as “Black Wall Street” that was home to black-owned businesses, schools, hospitals and churches. But in a matter of hours, the district was burned down and left in ruins by a white mob in what is now known as the Tulsa Race Massacre. For decades, the event was swept under the rug and barely taught in schools, but now The ABC News show “Tulsa’s Buried Truth” is diving deep into the event, uncovering new information and shedding light on the true horrors that took place in the city 100 years ago.

The show is hosted by Tulsa’s Mayor, G.T. Bynum, who has worked hard to face the truth about what happened in the city and promote efforts towards reconciliation. Alongside Bynum is Tulsa native Joi McCondichie, a longtime reporter who has covered the Tulsa race massacre for years. Together, they take viewers through the streets of Tulsa, reliving the tragic events that took place from the perspective of the descendants of survivors and those who lost their lives.

But it’s not just the events of 1921 that are examined in the show. “Tulsa’s Buried Truth” also delves into the aftermath of the massacre, which is arguably even more disturbing than the initial attack. The government and white citizens of Tulsa immediately started sweeping the events under the rug, minimizing the death toll and refusing to aid and assist survivors. As a result, the black community of Tulsa was left to fend for themselves and rebuild their lives, but under even more oppressive conditions due to the racism and prejudice of their white counterparts.

The show goes into detail about the efforts of Greenwood residents to rebuild their once-thriving community, despite numerous roadblocks and acts of violence that were perpetrated against them, including the burning down of homes and businesses. McCondichie speaks with survivors of the massacre who recall the horrors of the event and how they managed to carry on in its aftermath.

Steve Osunsami, an accomplished journalist and ABC News correspondent, also makes appearances in “Tulsa’s Buried Truth,” offering his expertise and insights on the massacre and its aftermath.

The documentary-style show is incredibly well-researched and offers a variety of perspectives, both from those who have studied the event and those who have been directly affected by it. It’s not just a retelling of the events of 1921, but an examination of the systemic and institutional racism that led up to the massacre and persisted in its wake. It’s also an exploration of the challenges that remain for the city of Tulsa in reconciling its past and moving forward towards equality and justice for all of its residents.

From interviews with historians and scholars to visits to the sites where the massacre took place, “Tulsa’s Buried Truth” is an informative and insightful program that offers a comprehensive look at a dark chapter in American history. It’s an important reminder of the harm that can arise from racism and prejudice, and the work that still needs to be done to combat these forces in our society.

Tulsa's Buried Truth is a series that ran for 1 seasons (1 episodes) between May 19, 2021 and on ABC News