Lebron James and CNN Producing Documentary on Tulsa Race Massacre Entitled ‘Dreamland: The Rise and Fall of Black Wall Street’
NBA star LeBron James is teaming up with CNN Films to produce Dreamland: The Rise and Fall of Black Wall Street, a documentary about the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre.
This week it was announced that James will be partnering with CNN Films and The SpringHill Company to produce the documentary Dreamland: The Rise and Fall of Black Wall Street. The 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre was one of the worst in U.S. history, yet many still don’t know about it. James hopes to change that by shedding light on such an important historical event.
The documentary will highlight the highly successful Black community of Tulsa, OK called Black Wall Street. The community included hundreds of Black businesses along with successful Black doctors, lawyers, and more.
A partnership that includes LeBron James and CNN Films is producing a documentary on the history of Oklahoma’s “Black Wall Street” — and the violent events in Tulsa in 1921 that resulted in the slaughter of hundreds of the city’s Black residents. I’m here for it!
— eatyabeans 🇭🇹 (@Egeline6409) October 27, 2020
One day, a Black man in Tulsa was accused of assaulting a White woman, sparking racial tensions in the city. Businesses in Black Wall Street were targeted and the community was burned down, estimating to have killed as many as 300. Fans are proud of James for helping to enlighten others about the Tulsa Race Massacre, and they can’t wait to see the final production.
This is a very important moment in #BlackHistory
— Black America Cares (@BlkAmericaCares) October 26, 2020
Thank you for getting this story out @KingJames
LEBRON JAMES AND CNN TO PRODUCE DOCUMENTARY ON THE 1921 RACE MASSACRE IN TULSA https://t.co/ucoxYbVuqq
Regardless of how deadly the Tulsa Race Massacre was, it is rarely taught about in schools and many Americans are still in the dark about the horrific acts that occurred, just like many other events in Black history. HBO has also aimed to bring awareness to the massacre, having covered it in episodes of Watchmen and Lovecraft Country.
Thank you @KingJames maybe the story will inspire community healing, growth & a minority led TBOE (Tulsa Board of Exchange)
— Dominique Sartain (@a_mus3) October 27, 2020
LeBron James to produce documentary on 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre – CBS News https://t.co/7YHSx1UhLu
Nearly 100 years later, James, CNN, and The SpringHill Company are ready to educate the public about Black Wall Street and its unfortunate ending. “We cannot move forward until we acknowledge our past and this is about honoring a prosperous, booming Black community, one of many, that was brought to an end because of hate,” says The SpringHill Company’s chief content officer, Jamal Henderson.
LeBron James has once again set an example for other wealthy Black celebrities. I applaud Bron for the work he consistently does off the basketball court. The story of Black Wall Street and the Tulsa Race Massacre must be told…it is long overdue.https://t.co/M8SYRbi13u
— Principal Kafele (Baruti K. Kafele) (@PrincipalKafele) October 27, 2020
We’re all eager to watch the documentary, which will include archival media, interviews, letters, and diary entries. There’s no official release date yet, but it’s expected to be complete by the end of the year. Be sure to look out for Dreamland: The Rise and Fall of Black Wall Street, coming soon to CNN.
Writer | Tweet me @itsjadak