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A survivor of the Tulsa Race Massacre, Hughes Van Ellis, dies at 102

MICHEL MARTIN, HOST:

Good morning. I'm Michel Martin. Hughes Van Ellis was one of the last three known living survivors of the 1921 Tulsa race massacre, one of the worst episodes of racist terrorism in American history. Hundreds were killed when an armed white mob attacked the thriving majority Black Greenwood District. Then Ellis went on to serve his country in World War II, to start a family, and spent many years advocating for justice for the victims of the massacre. Van Ellis died yesterday. He was 102 years old.

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The independent journalism and non-commercial programming you rely on every day is in danger.

If you’re reading this, you believe in trusted journalism and in learning without paywalls. You value access to educational content kids love and enriching cultural programming.

Now all of that is at risk.

Federal funding for public media is under threat and if it goes, the impact to our communities will be devastating.

Together, we can defend it. It’s time to protect what matters.

Your voice has protected public media before. Now, it’s needed again. Learn how you can protect the news and programming you depend on.