Donors have invested $168,153 into 20 Black owned homes since we began 1256 Movement in 2021.

Dear 1256 Movement Donors:

We are very grateful for you and the interest you’ve shown in 1256 Movement. Thank you! Whether you’ve donated before, are considering giving, or are simply exploring how to get involved — we want to share the incredible impact you’ve helped build through 1256 Movement.

The mission of 1256 Movement is bold and restorative: to help rebuild and/or restore 1,256 homes for Black families in Tulsa — a direct response to the 1,256 Black-owned homes that were burned down in a single day during the Tulsa Race Massacre on June 1, 1921.

Since 2021, generous folks like you nationwide have donated $168,153 to complete critical home improvements for 20 families — strengthening homeownership and seeding generational wealth. These are not just home repairs; they’re stories of dignity and legacy. One of our favorites is the West family — a couple in their 90s — who now have a safe, accessible bathroom and laundry thanks to your giving.

We started small and local, with the intent to show real, measurable change before scaling up. Now, the vision is growing. We’re applying for grants and pursuing partnerships with foundations, nonprofits, churches, businesses, and government entities to raise $12,560,000 over the next 10 years. Our goal in 2025 alone is to serve 48 families in the North Tulsa community.

Your donation is not just a gift — it’s an act of justice. It’s a bridge between the past and a more hopeful future. And we invite you to continue building that future with us. In addition to donors, it takes doers to do the work. I want to tell you about the amazing Kellum Family who are doers, and right now they are working to build their own home while fighting injustices perpetrated by absentee and careless landlord/owners.

When Kizzie and Earnest Kellum (pictured on this page) discovered that a company had scammed them out of the home they were under contract to buy, they didn’t give up—they fought back. Determined to create a stable home for their family, they purchased a vacant house just across the street and began rebuilding it from the inside out. They gutted it down to the studs and started fresh, doing much of the work themselves.

That’s when we met them—standing in the middle of their block, between the house they were about to lose and the one they were determined to reclaim. With resilience in their voices, they walked us through the newly wired and plumbed home, sharing how they’ve taken on the renovation themselves.

Kizzie, an active member of the U.S. Air Force, and Earnest, a truck driver, also serve as pastors in their community. They embody what it means to take ownership of their future. Their story is not just about one house—it’s about generational hope.

Unfortunately, families like the Kellums are often caught in cycles of housing injustice. From redlining and insurance discrimination to the unchecked damage of predatory investors, entire neighborhoods are left behind. Just two doors down from the Kellums, a home caught fire and burned to the ground due to faulty wiring installed by careless flippers. The risk is real.

That’s why your support of 1256 Movement matters. When you give, you’re standing with the Kellums and dozens of families like them—people determined to build a home and a legacy for their children and grandchildren. You’re helping transform abandoned properties into places of hope, ownership, and safety.

To complete their project, the Kellums have asked for help with sheetrock, mud and tape, and paint. With your generosity, 1256 Movement is supplying the materials and labor needed to bring them to the final stages—so they can move in by summer 2025.

This is what thriving looks like: families owning their futures, starting businesses, earning degrees, and passing wealth on—not just surviving under the weight of broken systems.

Will you join us in helping 48 more families like the Kellums this year? Your donation helps finish homes—and restore lives.

You can give today at http://www.1256movement.org, become a recurring donor, or introduce our work to someone who shares our vision. A popular way to give is with donor advised funds sent directly to 1256 Movement by check or into our Ameriprise account. Email info@1256movement.org for details.

Most importantly, we ask for your prayers and encouragement as we scale our efforts and serve more families.

Let’s rebuild what was torn down — together. Your donations do the work.

With gratitude,

Greg R. Taylor

CEO, 1256 Movement

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1256 Movement is a 501(c)3 organization and your donation is tax deductible to the full extent permitted by law. 

Please consult your tax professional for more information.

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