George Kaiser Family Foundation

Forbes recently spotlighted Tulsa as a rising hub for contemporary art and meaningful cultural conversations, with the Tulsa Artist Fellowshipat the center of this transformation. The Fellowship's recent Open House weekend showcased Tulsa’s vibrant arts community with immersive exhibits, discussions and interactive events across galleries, studios, and outdoor spaces. From Earthbound, a dark sky preservation exhibition in collaboration with Space for Us featuring works by Mattaniah Aytenfsu, Marlena Myles, Dr. Sian Proctor, Tyler Thrasher and Cheyenne Smith, to programs led by awardees Le’Andra LeSeur and Kalup Linzy, it’s inspiring to see Tulsa and the Fellowship garnering national attention, fostering creativity and community while celebrating diverse perspectives. Read the full Forbes feature here: https://ow.ly/nnZg50UaiYf.

The The New York Times recently highlighted Tulsa's success in attracting remote talent, with more than 3,300 remote workers now calling the city home thanks to initiatives like Tulsa Remote. These new residents contribute significantly to the local economy, adding an estimated $14.9 million in state income taxes and $5.8 million in sales tax revenue. Ninety percent of Tulsa Remote program participants stay in Tulsa beyond their initial commitment, building a community that blends the energy of new arrivals with the depth of lifelong Tulsans and creating a supportive environment that’s helping Tulsa thrive as a vibrant knowledge-worker hub. Learn more about how Tulsa is becoming a top destination for remote talent at https://ow.ly/2Ssx50U6jPx.

Sunset Social Hour, held the third Thursday of each month at Gathering Place is a free event that brings people together to forge real connections across neighborhoods and backgrounds. Hosted by Experience Tulsa and featuring monthly guest speakers, the gathering is a space for community engagement, shared ideas and building a more connected city. With more than 200 attendees each month, Sunset Social Hour fosters empathy and understanding through in-person connection. RSVP for the upcoming November 21 event or future gatherings at https://ow.ly/ySeP50U6ifW.

We're thrilled to welcome the 2024-2025 recipients of the George Kaiser Family Foundation School of Community Medicine Scholarship. This program supports medical and physician assistant students at the University of Oklahoma School of Community Medicine who are committed to providing care for underserved and vulnerable populations across Oklahoma. Since its inception, the program has awarded more than $2.8 million to 131 students, empowering future healthcare providers to pursue their passion for community-centered care. Each recipient brings a unique history and dedication that will shape the future of healthcare in our state, enhancing their ability to connect with the patients who need them most. The reach of this program goes beyond the students; it impacts countless Oklahomans who will benefit from their compassionate care. Discover more about the program at https://ow.ly/QCiV50TZI80.

Through our ongoing commitment to helping build strong neighborhoods, we are proud to support the PartnerTulsa Community Impact Initiative. The latest in a series of community arts projects was recently unveiled in the Kendall-Whittier area. Growing Together, Inc. hosted a summer series of free, family-friendly art workshops in the neighborhood to connect community members through self expression. Inspired by these individual artworks, local artist Yovany Avenda?o (VNICE) created a community mural at Archer Park. This mural reflects the unity, diversity and culture of Kendall-Whittier and stands as a lasting testament to the neighborhood's vibrant spirit.

Our Elevate East and InvestNorth initiatives partner with the Tulsa Higher Education Consortium to expand and simplify access to higher education and financial aid enrollment in underrepresented communities through programs like Oklahoma’s Promise. THE Consortium, a nonprofit that unites nine local colleges and seven community partners, has hosted 56 FAFSA events from June to September, helping 311 students complete financial aid applications. We're excited to share that 19% of those completing applications were from East Tulsa and 18% represented North Tulsa, ensuring students have the support they need to pursue higher education. Learn more at https://ow.ly/6Nsa50TWzu9.

The Phoenix District proudly unveiled "Blazing Wings of Dreams," a stunning 9-foot-tall interactive sculpture designed by local artist Trueson Daugherty. Located at the intersection of Osage Prairie Trail and E. 36th St. North, this inspiring piece was developed with public input to represent strength and perseverance in the community. "Blazing Wings of Dreams" is part of the ongoing collaboration between the Phoenix District, PartnerTulsa, and GKFF’s Invest North initiative, all dedicated to fostering vibrant and thriving neighborhoods along the Historic 36th Street corridor. Through this initiative, community members are invited to participate in art-based projects that support broader goals of economic growth and neighborhood development. Join a neighborhood tour or subscribe to the InvestNorth newsletter to stay updated on their community initiatives and neighborhood development work at https://ow.ly/Q9qt50TVWPO.

Tulsa Responds is partnering with the Financial Empowerment Center (FEC) to offer free financial counseling to Tulsa County residents. Four financial counselors are available at Tulsa Responds’ main office (2174 S Sheridan Rd) and via virtual appointments. Counseling is also offered weekly at South Tulsa Community House, TPS Parent Resource Center and soon at JusticeLink. The partnership helps families reduce debt, build savings and improve credit scores, furthering Tulsa Responds’ mission of empowering the community financially. Learn more at https://ow.ly/wZ6t50TRRH2 or by calling (918) 900-0918.

Downtown Tulsa is undergoing a revitalization, with new housing developments on the horizon to meet the growing demand for urban living. Featured in this month’s TulsaPeople Magazine is Western Supply, a landmark project set to open in the Tulsa Arts District in 2026. This development will offer 320 thoughtfully designed apartments, with a portion reserved for affordable workforce housing, attracting a diverse range of residents—from remote workers and teachers to artists, students and entrepreneurs. Discover more about upcoming downtown housing projects shaping the future of urban living in Tulsa: https://ow.ly/n8KG50TQ5pO.

The 2024 Black Venture Summit, recently held in Tulsa by Build in Tulsa, brought together innovators from across the U.S. and abroad to the historic Black Wall Street. With more than 100 attendees, nearly 100 fund managers and nine founders pitching their companies, the event fostered vital connections and investment opportunities, driving the future of Black wealth creation. Discover how Build in Tulsa is creating the infrastructure for a more equitable economy by visiting https://ow.ly/CJTR50TMTc1.