Exploring Tulsa’s Inclusive Economic Growth

Chamber professionals from across the country, committed to advancing economic opportunity, gathered in Tulsa, Oklahoma, for the ACCE Foundation’s 2025 Economic Opportunity Leadership Visit. The two-day event, hosted in partnership with the Tulsa Regional Chamber, offered a powerful and inspiring look at how chambers of commerce can help communities create more inclusive pathways to prosperity.

Mayor Nichols on Tulsa’s Path Forward
Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols opened the visit by outlining the pillars of his administration. He highlighted the city’s efforts to ensure housing for all Tulsans. He also discussed new initiatives, made possible by the Greenwood Trust, to develop a sustainable funding mechanism for education about the 1921 Race Massacre.

Learning from Tulsa’s Progress
Local and national experts explained how Tulsa is integrating economic and community development to expand access to opportunity.

• Acknowledging history. Speakers spoke candidly about Tulsa’s past and the long-term economic impacts of racism, reflecting on how the city might have become an economic powerhouse if progress had continued uninterrupted after the 1921 Race Massacre.
• Exploring strategies for growth. Participants examined inclusive entrepreneurship, workforce development, neighborhood revitalization and public-private partnerships that drive equitable growth.
• Seeing progress firsthand. Attendees toured neighborhoods, local businesses, community centers and organizations to see Tulsa’s strategies in action .
• Lessons for other communities. Sessions noted that many cities face similar challenges today, such as limited transit access, which continues to restrict opportunities for historically marginalized residents to reach jobs, recreation and other community resources.

Inspiration and Insights
Attendees described the experience as energizing and thought-provoking, noting how valuable it was to see collaboration in action and imagine its future potential. Through peer discussions, site visits and community engagement, participants gained both perspective and practical strategies for advancing inclusive economic growth in their own regions. They left Tulsa inspired by the city’s ongoing efforts and encouraged by their peers’ shared commitment to foster equitable economic opportunity nationwide.