2020's challenges and the opportunities ahead – Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum and Tulsa Public Schools Superintendent Deborah Gist

Welcome to Tulsa Talks presented by Tulsa Regional Chamber. I’m your host Tim Landes. 

2020 was a doozy of a year. In our January issue we recognize the efforts of many Tulsans in many sectors, who did important and great work. Those are just the representatives for all of you, so thank you. 

Last summer, Tulsans re-elected G.T. Bynum to lead the City and its residents for a second term. He too is one of our Tulsans of the Year. 

About six months ago he appeared on Tulsa Talks to discuss how 2019’s historic flooding had prepared him for his COVID-19 response. 

He and I chatted again on Dec. 21 via Zoom. This time the mayor reflects on the second half of the year, including his thoughts on his re-election victory and the politicizing of masks. He looks back at his first term and also discusses what he hopes to achieve over the next four years. 

That work includes responding to demands for criminal justice reform and policing. Bynum discusses the steps he’s taking to make improvements, including the new partnership with Family and Children Service’s that provides police officers the opportunity to take people dealing with mental health issues to the CrisisCare Center.

Following that conversation, City Editor Morgan Phillips shares her interview with Tulsa Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Deborah Gist. 

Since March, students have spent most the year distance learning or on extended breaks. As part of our Tulsan of the Year coverage, Morgan wrote about the tireless efforts of parents, teachers and school officials throughout 2020.

One of those people is Gist. Since we didn’t get to share everything she had to say about the year in the magazine article, we wanted to share the full conversation with you here.

She talks about how the evolution of findings in science and data has impacted the school district’s decisions throughout the year. The superintendent shares what has impressed her about TPS teachers and talks about the need for substitute teachers to ensure classes continue when students return to classrooms this month. She also reflects on the passionate positions of those on all sides of all the issues and more in this important conversation. 

Following that interview, we close with new music from Tulsa’s own Freak Juice. You’ll definitely want to listen to “Hole in the Wall.” More on that later. 

 OK let’s get this going. 

This is Tulsa Talks 

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In our January issue, writer Julie Watson has this to say about Freak Juice’s new album “They Call Us Juice,” which includes the song “Hole in the Wall” you’ll soon hear: 

"This funky, R&B infused album released Nov. 13 by guitarist and composer Tori Ruffin rocks as hard as it grooves. Ruffin, who has toured and recorded with names like Prince and Morris Day, doesn’t shy away from hard topics, including politics (“Hypocrite”) and the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre (“Dirty Little Secret”), wrapping his message in some seriously great musicianship."  

For more updates about the band visit facebook.com/freakjuice