A Neighborhood Initiative

Expanding Pathways to Prosperity

GKFF’s InvestNorth Initiative is a collaborative effort to drive transformational opportunities for families and children in historically Black, North Tulsa neighborhoods. Building on 36th Street North’s proud and rich black history and the aspirations of the Whitman and Hawthorne neighborhoods, InvestNorth is channeling resources into core focus areas, each designed to uplift the community and honor the legacy of its heritage. InvestNorth seeks to work alongside residents and neighborhood-based organizations to bring their aspirations for their neighborhoods.

By 2035 InvestNorth will double the number of families in north Tulsa neighborhoods earning a living wage through investments in:

Housing

Investment in diversity of housing options to prevent displacement, increase choice, and expand healthy living environments

Community Wellness

Investment in quality and accessible basic needs to create and sustain community wellness

Youth Development

Investment in education and youth programming to give children every opportunity to succeed

Wealth Creation

Investment in entrepreneurship and workforce development to create and sustain Black wealth

The Why

InvestNorth envisions a North Tulsa made of thriving neighborhoods where residents prosper, firmly believing that every Tulsan deserves to live, work, and play in a quality neighborhood. Our neighborhoods are integral to our identity, where we build community and prosperity. With this vision in mind, InvestNorth has partnered in initiatives to deeply engage residents, transform public amenities, and reimagine public housing and social services, leaving a lasting positive impact. Access to services and places to work, study, shop, eat, or play, and safe ways to get to those places are vital needs to ensure thriving communities.

Hawthorne

The Hawthorne Neighborhood is home to 2,687 residents. Its boundaries cover 1.8 square miles between Apache Street and 36th Street North, from the Tulsa County Line to Peoria Avenue and then following Mohawk Boulevard to Lewis Avenue. The neighborhood is impacted by the Hawthorne Elementary, Crossover Community Center, Educare, Crossover Health Clinic, Osage Prairie Trail, Peoria Mohawk Business Park, Gilcrease Expressway, and the Peoria AERO Bus Rapid Transit route
Whitman

The Walt Whitman Neighborhood is home to 2,724 residents. Its boundaries cover 1.2 square miles between 36th & 46th Streets North, Peoria Ave., and Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. The neighborhood is impacted by the OU Tisdale Health Clinic, Walt Whitman Elementary School, the Tulsa Tech Peoria Campus, Crossover Health Clinic, various religious organizations, Educare, the Gibbs Shopping Center, Crossover Community Center, and a segment of the Osage Prairie Trail.