MTV Entertainment Studios and Bassett Vance Productions have just announced that Award-winning playwright Nathan Alan Davis will be writing an original limited series on Black Wall Street and the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921. The massacre is considered the single worst incident of racial violence in American history. This year marks the centennial anniversary of the tragedy.
“Angela and I have always had a deep appreciation for history, especially when it comes to stories that
are rooted in the Black community. We look forward to working on this series with MTV Entertainment Studios that will explore an important slice of American history as we look to reflect on events that changed the lives of countless Black families in Tulsa, Oklahoma one hundred years ago,” said Courtney B. Vance, principal at Bassett Vance Productions. “We are excited to work with Nathan because his vision directly aligns with the story that Angela and I want to tell. Although the series will revisit the Black pain and tragedy that took place on May 31 and June 1, 1921, it will also importantly introduce too many the stories of the extraordinary, entrepreneurial people who built Black Wall Street and all that this community accomplished.”RELATED CONTENT: 107-Year-Old Tulsa Massacre Survivor Testified to Congress
This is the first project from the Courtney Vance/Angela Bassett production team since they signed with MTV Entertainment Studios in 2020.
“As storytellers—together with Courtney, Angela and Nathan—we have the privilege of shining a light on a devastating event in our history that is important, necessary, and still resonates 100 years later,” said Nina L. Diaz, president of Content and Chief Creative Officer at MTV Entertainment Group. “This partnership underscores our shared commitment to raise diverse voices and create content our global audience is yearning for that is both timely and telling.”
Davis also stated, “I am honored to be partnering with Courtney, Angela, MTV Entertainment Studios and their extraordinary teams in this vital endeavor. Exploring the history of Tulsa’s Greenwood District as a limited dramatic series affords us a precious opportunity and a deep responsibility. I greatly look forward to crafting a story that will not only shed light on the people of Black Wall Street, but give fresh life to the spirit, ideas, hopes, fears, and dreams that motivated them.”