ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Chief Egunwale Amusan is a consultant, historian, social entrepreneur, and lifelong resident of Tulsa, Oklahoma. As a direct descendant of the historic Greenwood District, known worldwide as Black Wall Street, Chief Amusan has committed his life to uncovering, preserving, and amplifying the hidden histories of African Americans in Tulsa and beyond. His work embodies both scholarship and activism, bridging the gap between memory and justice.
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Chief Egunwale Amusan speaks at the 1921 Black Wall Street Memorial in Tulsa, OK, as part of his Real Black Wall Street Tour initiative.
A Legacy Rooted in Black Wall Street
Growing up in Tulsa, Chief Amusan inherited the responsibility of telling the story of a community once called “the Black Wall Street of America.” As president of the African Ancestral Society, he has led initiatives that preserve African and African American heritage. He is the founder of the Black Wall Street Memorial March Weekend, a decades-long annual event that honors the lives, resilience, and legacy of the 1921 Tulsa Massacre survivors and descendants.
Through his family-operated business, The Real Black Wall Street Tour, Chief Amusan provides immersive historical experiences that allow visitors to walk the streets of Greenwood while learning about the district’s rise, destruction, and enduring spirit. His dedication as a social entrepreneur has been featured in Essence Magazine, highlighting his unique role in blending education, culture, and community storytelling.
Chief Egunwale Amusan speaks to the Congress of the United States of America in June of 2021 about efforts to repair damages caused by the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre upon its centennial.
Leadership, Advocacy & National Impact
Beyond Tulsa, Chief Amusan has influenced African American affairs at local, state, and national levels. He is a former advisor to the Black Wall Street Chamber of Commerce and currently serves on the board of the Center for Public Secrets. He is also a member of the Tulsa Community Remembrance Coalition, working in close partnership with Bryan Stevenson’s Equal Justice Initiative and the Justice For Greenwood Foundation to advance racial healing and justice initiatives.
His advocacy has taken him to the halls of Congress, where in 2021 he testified on behalf of survivors and descendants of the Tulsa Massacre, giving voice to those denied justice for generations. Chief Amusan’s work continues to be a rallying point for restitution, repair, and recognition.
Production still from the documentary film, "OAKLAWN" by Center for Public Secrets and Well-Told
Storytelling Through Media & Film
Chief Amusan is also a sought-after consultant in film and media. He has collaborated with acclaimed creatives, including producer Tricia Woodgett, director Darnell Martin, and filmmaker Sterlin Harjo. As executive producer of the documentary Oaklawn, he helped reveal the concealed truths of Tulsa’s mass graves investigation, offering the public a rare, intimate look at the legacy of racial violence.
His expertise and historical insight have been featured in some of the most significant works on Black Wall Street, including the Peabody Award–winning WNYC Studios podcast Blindspot, the Emmy Award–winning LeBron James film Dreamland: The Rise and Fall of Black Wall Street, and Jeffrey Robinson’s Who We Are Project.
Chief Egunwale Amusan at a book signing hosted by Second Missionary Baptist Church in Battle Creek, Michigan. Image courtesy of Second Wave Media.
Author & Public Voice
Chief Amusan is the author of the groundbreaking book America’s Black Wall Street: The Untold Story of Broken Treaties, Black Resistance, Political Fear, and Sacred Ground. The book sheds light on overlooked narratives of Black resilience, government betrayal, and the sacredness of Greenwood as a site of both tragedy and triumph.
In addition to his book, Chief Amusan has contributed to national storytelling platforms. He is a National Geographic “2892 Miles to Go” storyteller and serves on the Preserve Route 66 Advisory Council, extending his historical expertise to broader conversations on heritage, memory, and place.
Why You Should Read America’s Black Wall Street
When the U.S. Department of Justice launched its 2024 Cold Case Unit investigation into racial violence, they turned to Chief Egunwale Amusan as an expert on Greenwood and the Tulsa Massacre. His book, America’s Black Wall Street, was not only consulted but officially listed in the DOJ’s 2025 published report as a key source.
That recognition matters. It confirms that this book is more than just one man’s story—it’s a resource credible enough to stand alongside government findings on civil rights history. Buying this book means you are accessing the same knowledge that federal investigators themselves considered vital to understanding the full scope of what happened in Tulsa.
This isn’t simply another history title for your shelf. It is an authoritative, descendant-led work that carries both personal and institutional weight. If the Department of Justice recognized America’s Black Wall Street as worthy of inclusion in their record, then it is certainly worthy of being in yours.
Continuing The Work
Through his tours, writings, public speaking, and partnerships, Chief Amusan continues to serve as a history recovery specialist — unearthing buried truths and ensuring that the stories of Black Wall Street are not only remembered but also used as a foundation for justice and repair. His work represents a living archive of resilience and resistance.