Fulton Street Books & Coffee held a ribbon-cutting and grand opening last Friday for its new location at 21 N. Greenwood Ave in Tulsa, Okla. The Black Wall Street Times reported that "over a century after Black bodies, businesses and books burned during the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, the city’s only Black-owned bookstore held a grand opening at its new location on Black Wall Street."
Founder and owner Onikah Asamoa-Caesar told Tulsa World: "I am overwhelmed with gratitude to be here today. This grand opening is not just about a new location; it's about celebrating the resilience of our community and continuing to stand firm in our commitment to increasing representation on the shelves."
Formerly located in the Heights neighborhood, Fulton Street Books & Coffee has moved to a space that "places it right in the heart of Tulsa's historic Greenwood District and next door to the Greenwood Rising museum."
"I think in this time, when we look at book bans and censorship and so much of what is going on across the country, I am here today even more convinced in our mission, even more steadfast in providing space where Black, brown, indigenous and queer voices are represented on the shelves," Asamoa-Caesar observed.
"Onikah had a vision to bring this business to life," said Rose Washington-Jones, CEO of the Tulsa Economic Development Corp., who joined Asamoa-Caesar in welcoming guests to the ceremony. "She took a few years to put her plan together. She listened to the feedback multiple people, coaches, mentors provided to her. She did her own research, exploring what other shops are doing. This is the product of a lot of hard work."
Asamoa-Caesar added: "To all of you, it is such a pleasure and an honor that you be here with me this morning to open up this space. I am so grateful to all of the people who allowed us to be here."