The Memoir of John Baptiste Stradford: Hero of Black Wall Street

Born free in 1861 to an enslaved father and a free mother, John ＂J.B.＂ Baptiste Stradford rose to become a teacher, lawyer, and one of the wealthiest Black entrepreneurs on Tulsa’s Black Wall Street. In 1918, he built the elegant Stradford Hotel, a symbol of Black achievement and pride. During the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, white rioters destroyed Greenwood and forced Stradford to flee under false indictment.

In this powerful memoir, Stradford recounts his extraordinary journey from freedom to prosperity, his philosophy of dignified defiance, and his unbroken spirit in the face of violent oppression. Nearly a century later, his legacy was vindicated when Oklahoma’s governor officially exonerated him, proclaiming ＂Stradford Family Day.＂

Curated by his great-granddaughters, Laurel Stradford and Dr. Leslee Stradford, this is a gripping story of courage, resilience, and hard-won triumph. Stradford’s life remains a timeless testament to Black achievement and the enduring fight for equality.