In a district demolished a century ago in the Tulsa Race Massacre and rebuilt from the rubble, state Rep. Monroe Nichols declared victory as the first Black Tulsan elected as the city’s mayor. Black residents say Nichols’ election adds a new,

Nichols, a state legislator, received 55.54% of votes cast with Karen Keith, a county commissioner and former local news anchor, receiving 44.46%, according to unofficial results that show 95% of precincts reporting.

Mayor-elect Monroe Nichols is now the first Black person to be elected to the office of mayor. Cyndii Cosper, the manager of Black Wall Street T-Shirts and Souvenirs, said it came as a surprise that Nichols wanted to hold a local office after serving as a state representative.

According to unofficial results, Nichols received more than 55% of the vote over challenger Karen Keith to earn the city’s top office. He will assume his new role Dec. 2.

History was made as State representative Monroe Nichols was elected as the 41st Mayor of Tulsa and the first Black mayor.

With 69 percent of the vote in, and with Monroe at over 56%, he has claimed victory in the Tulsa mayoral election. Certification of the results will make him the first Black mayor in the city’s history and over 103 years after the Tulsa Race Massacre.