GTAC accepts February minutes, discusses filling seats and committee priorities; Black Wall Street Chamber to send representative

The Greater Tulsa African American Affairs Commission voted to accept its February 2025 minutes and spent the March meeting reviewing committee priorities, open seats and an incoming organizational representative.

Commission Chair Ray'Chel Wilson called the meeting to order and confirmed a quorum. John Paul Ray moved to accept the February minutes and Jamila Stuckey seconded; the chair called for the ayes and the motion carried. The minutes acceptance was the only formal vote taken on record during the meeting.

Chair Ray'Chel Wilson reviewed priorities for the commission’s leadership year, urging commissioners to commit to one primary committee and to offer concrete, sustainable goals. “Please don’t just do something because it sounds good or commit to something that sounds good, but you really don’t have the time, the energy, or the passion to do it,” she said.

The commission reported several committee chair assignments: Margaret Love and Jamila Stuckey for Education; Maybelle Wallace and Larissa McNeil for Culture and Engagement; and Marquise Dennis and John Paul Ray for Policy. Commissioners emphasized committee-level work and asked commissioners to provide firm committee commitments by the next meeting so chairs could plan quarterly goals.

Officials also announced staff and seat changes. Commissioners said Candy Whitley White is unable to continue because of work conflicts; another commissioner had stepped down for family reasons. The commission noted it currently had about 15 of 23 seats filled and said it will pursue additional organizational and individual nominees.

The Black Wall Street Chamber has selected Donald Rose as its designee for a commission seat, the commission said; Rose introduced himself and said he would submit paperwork to the mayor’s office for city council confirmation. The commission clarified that the mayor’s office — not GTAC — begins the appointment process and that city council approval follows submission to the mayor.

During announcements commissioners reminded members to wear GTAC name badges when representing the commission at public events and reiterated that committee updates and meeting schedules help constituents find meeting minutes and newsletters on the city website.

At the end of the meeting the commission moved to adjourn; the chair declared the meeting adjourned. No contested votes or formal policy endorsements were recorded.