Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum embarked Wednesday on his second 24-hour tour of Tulsa to celebrate 918 Day.
The tour started at midnight Wednesday and will last until midnight Thursday. Stops included McClure Park, where participants in the Better Way Program were working, Reading Partners and the Greenheck manufacturing plant.
Bynum said planning started during last year’s tour.
"In thinking ahead to this year, one, knew I wanted to do it again, but then also, there are things that I want to draw attention to in this city utilizing this tour," Bynum said.
Led by the Rev. Dr. R.A. Turner, Bynum got a close look at Vernon AME Church, which has the only piece of Greenwood to survive the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre.
Bynum said the tour reminded him of a common practice throughout history.
"When people have tried to invade and crush a community, over thousands of years, where do they go? They go to the place of worship," Bynum said. "And I think it’s so important that this structure was saved and that you have leadership in the community in north Tulsa that’s making sure that this church doesn’t just continue to stand, but it thrives."
About halfway through the 24-hour tour and fresh off a recent trip to Israel, Bynum said he was faring well.
"I’m riding the same wave of positivity that I had last year. You know, folks kept asking me last year, ‘Oh, are you tired yet? Tired yet?’ I never did get tired, because every stop I go to, I’m learning about really interesting things that are happening in our city and the people that are making them happen," Bynum said.
