THE REPUBLIC OF GHANA HOLDS CITIZENSHIP CEREMONY FOR
MOTHER FLETCHER AND UNCLE REDD
I have just received some exciting news - and just in time for Black History Month: It appears that two of my Oklahoma Homies - and surviving members of the 1921 Black Walls Street Massacre , in Greenwood, Oklahoma -a Black suburb of Tulsa, will be receiving the highest honor of Ghana, that of Ghanian Citizenship from the President of Ghana, on Tuesday, February 28, 2023.
Viola Fletcher, now 108 years old, and her brother, Hughes Van Ellis, 102, at a ceremony hosted by Diaspora African Forum- (DAF-Accra, Ghana) in collaboration with the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, and the Ministry of Interior. They will hold a citizenship ceremony at the Embassy of the Republic of Ghana in Washington, DC.
Voila Ford Fletcher and Hughes Van Ellis often referred to as Mother Fletcher and Uncle Redd, are two of the three survivors of ‘’Black Wall Street Massacre,’’ also known as the Tulsa Race Massacre of May 31-June 1,1921. This horrific event took place during the worst 2 days that Mother Fletcher can remember, as a small girl of 6 clutching her baby brother of just 6 months, her family barely got out alive when mobs of white residents attacked Black residents and destroyed homes and businesses of the Greenwood District in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The event is considered one of the worst incidents of racial violence in American history. The attackers burned and destroyed more than 35 square blocks of one of the wealthiest Black communities in the United States, colloquially known as ‘’Black Wall Street.’
So moved were the founders of DAF, after listening to Mother Fletcher’s testimony recounting the horror of those days before the U.S. Congress in January 2021 that they decided to propose a visit that would give her more positive memories. Thus, in August 2021, the two iconic figures visited the Republic of Ghana as guests of DAF and the Government of Ghana. In just 8 days, these energetic and tireless Centenarians attended thirteen (13) events in just eight (8) days. Mother Fletcher said that this visit was a ‘’dream come true ’’ visiting their African roots through the welcoming gateway of Ghana.
Ike Howard, grandson to Mother Fletcher expressed his gratitude to H.E Erieka Bennett (Founder & Head of Mission, DAF) and Dr. Toni Luck (Co-Founder, DAF) for the upcoming citizenship ceremony for Mother Fletcher and Uncle Redd. ‘’I would like to thank D.A.F for recruiting us to be Ambassadors for travel to Ghana under the remarkable leadership of Ambassador Erieka Bennett and Dr Toni Luck. The family is extremely grateful and honored to receive citizenship from the Ghanaian government. We wish all a long life and prosperity.’’
As the month of February is designated Black History Month, The Republic Ghana, the home of Pan Africanism and reaching hands across the ocean to Africa’s children in the Diaspora is elated to grant citizenship to these heroic survivors of the Tulsa Massacre.
This is such huge news!!
If you will recall, in 2021, during the 100th Commemoration of the Wall Street Massacre - at the ages of 105 and 100 respectively - were flown to Ghana to meet the president and the Ashantahene and be honored there. It had been Mother Fletcher's lifelong dream to go to Ghana. Many speculated that at her advanced age, it might not be feasible. But Tony Regusters and Toni Luck, and a combined auspices of Our Black Truth, a Black social media organization of African and African American Activists and historians, that made it happen.
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As a fellow Oklahoman, I am exceedingly proud of all they have endured and accomplished. Greenwood was one of 67 all Black Towns in Oklahoma Territory - which later became a state in 1907. Black people owned their own businesses, homes, had excellent educationaly systems, and people pulled together. Viola and Hugh epitomize the spirit of Oklahoma that my parents, grandparents, great grands, etc. grew up with.
My admiration and congratulations to them, and the brothers and sisters of Greenwood who withstood the racist onslaught, and turned everything around by virtue of their might, creativity, discipline and unity.
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Diaspora African Forum – info@diasporaafricanforum.org
Contact: +233 302 780 923
Charity K. Frimpong – 055 45 45 900
At the posting of this story, it was not mentioned as to whether or not the ceremony would be live streamed. For further information log onto:
Diaspora African Forum – info@diasporaafricanforum.org
NOW THAT YOU KNOW
WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?
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| Gloria DULAN-Wilson |
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