Growing and diversifying Tulsa's economy – Arthur Jackson, Tulsa Regional Chamber

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

The saying goes if you can’t beat them, join them, but for the Chamber it was if you can’t beat them, recruit them to come here to ensure you get the big wins down the road. 

My guest on this episode is Arthur Jackson, who is fairly new to Tulsa having moved here from Austin a few months ago to become the new senior vice president of economic development for Tulsa Regional Chamber.  

Jackson came to Tulsa having most recently served as senior director of economic development for the Austin Chamber of Commerce, where he helped recruit Elon Musk and his Tesla cyber truck factory to the Lone Star State, beating out Tulsa.  

Shortly after arriving to the 918, Jackson was named a 2021 Economic Development 40 Under 40 Award recipient by Development Counsellors International (DCI) and Jorgenson Consulting. The award recognizes rising stars in the economic development industry. 

Mike Neal, president and CEO of the Tulsa Regional Chamber had this to say about Jackson: 

“Arthur has had great success as an economic development professional, and we at the Chamber are elated to see him receive this well-deserved recognition. It’s an honor to work alongside some of the best and brightest talent in the economic development profession, and Arthur has already shown himself to be a tremendous leader for our organization and for furthering northeast Oklahoma’s economic prosperity.” 

As you’ll hear in this conversation recorded over Zoom on May 18, Jackson has hit the ground running. We discuss how he’s settled into his new role and started working to recruit businesses to open shop in a Tulsa metro that recently surpassed 1 million residents.  

He discusses the emerging sectors and how we’re doing with our foundational economic drivers in energy. We also discuss how he’s working with the tribes and what it means for the city from an economic development standpoint as all eyes are on Tulsa as we commemorate the centennial of the Tulsa Race Massacre.  

I’m excited to see all that he accomplishes for our city in the coming years.  

Following my conversation with Jackson, I’ll share a new single from Omaley B that will be featured on the new compilation album: 1921... The Black Wall Street Project. More on that later.  

OK, let’s get this going.  

This is Tulsa Talks with Arthur Jackson.  

This past weekend, Tulsa musician Omaley B performed on the main stage at Black Wall Street Legacy Festival and instantly brought everyone to their feet as soon as he started performing “Kerosene” from the upcoming 1921...The Black Wall Street Music Project. The single includes rapper Steph Simon. 

On May 31-June 1, 1921, 35 city blocks in the Greenwood District were burned to the ground.  

According to a recent press release announcing the album and single:  

Omaleyb uses this lesson to fuel the passions of young people to achieve despite this dark stain on Tulsa and America's history. When he sings "My citys on fire!" it's less of a look backwards, than a look forward firing up the next generation. He declares "the proof is in the youth" -and he should know, given his recent crowning as "Teacher of the Month" by Tulsa Public Schools. 

The album is slated to drop this summer. It will also feature 3-time Grammy nominee Taylor Hanson, singer Branjae, Spoken Word poets Kode Ransom,  Jerica Wortham, and Sterling Matthews. It will also spotlight Dane Arnold from Dane & The Soup, Tulsa hip hop pioneers Dangerous Rob and Playya 1000, newcomer JANNAH, 80 year old jazz master Washington Rucker, and a posthumous premiere by bassist Wayman Tisdale. 

I can’t wait to hear the whole album.  

And with that here is Omaley B with “Kerosene.”