Tulsa’s Beyond Apology Commission sets committee work plan, asks commissioners to present drafts by Oct. 17

The Beyond Apology Commission on Sept. 19 directed commissioners to complete committee “pre‑work” and present draft purpose statements at the commission’s next meeting on Oct. 17, setting a timeline for seating community members at a public meeting planned for a window in mid‑November.

Chairwoman Williams, speaking at the Tulsa meeting, said the body must center community members in every committee and that "shared power equals stronger outcomes." She instructed commissioners to review the Beyond Apology report, identify two to three priorities for their committee, and assemble suggested community partners and role descriptions ahead of the October meeting.

Why it matters: The commission is an advisory body created from community recommendations; its decisions about committee membership, roles and reporting will shape which community groups and individuals have a formal voice in drafting policy recommendations. Williams repeatedly cautioned commissioners not to “dominate” committee conversations and said chairs and co‑chairs should be elected by committee members only after community members are seated.

Key details

- Deliverables and deadlines: Commissioners were asked to complete assigned pre‑work…