These Black Tulsans were born in dramatically different eras of LGBTQ+ acceptance. But they’ve all come to the same conclusion: Love triumphs all.
Author Archives: Ismael Lele
Ismael Lele is the business reporter at The Oklahoma Eagle. He is a Report for America corps member. Ismael has been reporting since he was in high school, where he channeled his interest for writing into the school newspaper. While at the University of Oklahoma, he wrote for the OU Daily as a sports and city reporter and, finally, as a news editor. Ismael found his passion for community journalism while attending city council meetings in Norman. He went on to spend a summer in Phoenix, Arizona as a Carnegie Knight News 21 fellow and researched the state of American democracy. Before joining The Oklahoma Eagle, he interned at The Tulsa World. Now, his reporting highlights Tulsa’s Black community and the north Tulsa area.
Posted inBusiness
Oklahoma’s first IKEA could open ahead of schedule in Tulsa Hills shopping center
The influx of IKEA shoppers to west Tulsa means more traffic. A Monday town hall will address how roads in Tulsa Hills are changing to meet demand.
Posted inBusiness
Fireworks sales explode ahead of America’s 250th birthday. Oklahomans are scrambling to meet demand.
Fireworks companies expect sales to top $3.5 billion this Fourth of July — an industry record. Oklahoma businesses say they’re seeing the impact in real time.
Posted inBusiness
Oklahomans voted against raising the minimum wage. Advocates are going back to the drawing board.
A majority of June voters said “no” to raising the state’s minimum wage to $15 an hour. The group behind State Question 832 says it’s turning its attention to the 2027 legislative session.
Posted inBusiness
Amid lingering disparities, Tulsa business leaders explore how to increase diversity
The Tulsa Regional Chamber’s event brought in a Minnesota expert to discuss diversity policies two weeks after the city released its equity indicator report.
Posted inNews
Safe Move Tulsa rehouses more than 360 people, 213 in past two months
Rapid exit strategies are targeted, short-term interventions designed to help people who’re on the brink of experiencing chronic homelessness. The city expects to have 1,300 people exit homelessness by the end of the year.
Posted inCulture
This Tulsan creates space for fathers to be ‘courageous’ — and find community
Founded in 2020, Birthright Living Legacy hosts meetups for dads to discuss how to build relationships with their children and navigate the pressures of masculinity.
Posted inGovernment
Oklahoma’s minimum wage will stay at $7.25 as voters reject increase
Oklahomans rejected a proposal to gradually increase the minimum wage over the next three years, from $7.25 in 2025 to $15 in 2029.
Posted inBusiness
New development to bring live music, apartments and Wildflower Café to downtown Tulsa
Once it fully opens in 2027, MODE Tulsa will feature affordable housing alongside a speakeasy lounge, restaurant and production equipment for regional artists.
Posted inGovernment
Report finds Tulsa is closing the gap on several key disparities. But many remain.
Tulsa earned its highest-ever score on its 2025 equality indicator report, which measures disparities between advantaged and disadvantaged groups.
Posted inGovernment
Tulsa County DA’s race presents voters with a choice: experience or change
Colleen McCarty is the lone challenger to incumbent Steve Kunzweiler in the June 16 Republican primary. With no other challengers, the winner will be the county’s next DA.
Posted inGovernment
Tulsa’s neighborhood improvement program showed promising results. Now the city is making it permanent.
Three neighborhoods across the city saw investments from the initial pilot program. Applications are open for the next round.