History was made yesterday as Viola Fletcher, 108 and her brother Hughes Van Ellis, 102, were granted Ghanian citizenship in a private ceremony at the Embassy of Ghana in Washington DC. The siblings held on to Ghana flags during the ceremony while wearing matching traditional Ghanaian printed garments in a golden and burgundy colour. A cultural troop performed traditional music and dance which brought smiles to their faces. The ceremony was organized by Ghana’s Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Ministry of Interior, the Ghana Tourism Authority, Beyond the Return, Diaspora African Forum, the Diaspora Affairs Office of the President and the Embassy of Ghana in DC.

The siblings came to Ghana for the first time in 2021, marking the 100th anniversary of the massacre that destroyed the all-Black neighborhood in Tulsa known as Greenwood on May 31, 1921. It was a community that was thriving and had one of the wealthiest Black communities in the United States. Fletcher was 7 years old and Ellis was an infant when the massacre happened. The Greenwood neighbourhood was destroyed leaving the people to pick up the pieces and start over. Since then, their story has been one of resilience and survival.

On their trip to Ghana, Fletcher said she was fulfilling a lifelong dream to visit Africa before she sees God. They were given the opportunity to meet the president of Ghana H.E. Nana Akufo-Addo. It was during that meeting that he made the decision to confer Ghanaian citizenship and offer a piece of land for them. The gesture is one that aligned with the ‘Year of Return’ 2019 campaign launched by the president to mark the 400-year anniversary of the first documented ship of enslaved Africans to arrive in the U.S. The campaign invited the global African diaspora to visit Ghana and experience the history, heritage and culture.

Ghana’s Minister of Tourism Arts and Culture, Ibrahim Awal, CEO of the Ghana Tourism Authority, Akwasi Agyeman, Director of the Beyond the Return Secretariat, Annabelle McKenzie, Paramount King of the Igbo community in Ghana, Eze Dr. Chukwudi Ihenetu, Founder and Head of Missions at Diaspora African Forum, Ambassador Erika Bennett Grammy-nominated artist Rocky Dawuni, and Hollywood actress, A.J. Akua Johnson were among those in attendance to this special event.

Story by: Ivy Prosper

With tears in their eyes, Viola Fletcher, age 107 and Hughes Van Ellis, aka Uncle Redd, age 100, were finding it hard to say goodbye to Ghana.  After a week-long trip, they fell in love with the country’s hospitality, the people and the culture.  They completed a life mission to see the motherland Africa and didn’t want to go back.  

The siblings are survivors of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre when a mob of racist white people completely decimated a thriving black community in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Fletcher said it was her lifelong dream to see Africa before seeing God. That dream has been realized beyond her wildest dreams. On their last evening in Accra, they were treated to a farewell dinner by the poolside at the residence of Ambassador Erieka Bennett.  Surrounded by their family and new friends, it was both a goodbye and a celebration of their life-changing experience. 

When Uncle Redd wanted to speak after dinner he was so emotional, he began to tear up, holding his hand in front of his eyes trying to hold back the tears. Taking his glasses off, he took tissue and wiped the tears. “I can’t think of the words but I’ve got one or two words…this is love, from the heart,” he said. “The love and respect, honour…that’s what it is. I want to thank each and every one of you….number one people, it’s been amazing….I thank you, I love you, I never will forget you…number one people in my heart, understand?” Thank you so much.”  

The Diaspora African Forum presented Mother Fletcher with a Living Legend Award to honour her contributions to the world.  She was grateful and shared her sentiments about the experience in Ghana. “Every one of you and all the effort you’ve shown, I feel comfortable and full. Thank you very much and I’m sure the whole family feels the same way. We all love you.”

Malee Craft is the eldest daughter of Uncle Redd and also took the opportunity to express heartfelt gratitude for their time in Ghana. “The respect that has been given to him has been phenomenal. We are really speechless as to all the things that we have done, seen, the people we have met, and it’s been a wonderful lifetime experience and I’d like to say thank you, thank you, thank you, for everything. For the love, the kindness that everyone has shown us here for our first time in Ghana.”.

Deputy Director of Diaspora Affairs, Office of the President, Dr. Nadia Musah joined the farewell dinner and expressed a heartfelt thank you from her office and the presidency for choosing Ghana as the place to visit in Africa. “I’m very happy we spent the last seven, eight days with you and looking at your strength…” she said. “You can’t hold anything back. You cannot. You shouldn’t let your age or anything limit what you can do.”

At the airport it was another emotional scene as Dr. Toni Luck and Ambassador Bennett, had tears and felt the love these two centenarians had brought to Ghana.  The trip not only changed the lives of Mother Fletcher and Uncle Redd, but it also made an impact on everyone who spent time around them over the past week.  Their journey has inspired others who were once hesitant about travelling to Africa.  If they can travel at age 107 and 100, then there’s nothing that should stop others from making the same journey.  

By Ivy Prosper

For people of African descent whose families were displaced by the tragedy of the trans-Atlantic Slave trade, a trip to the African continent is more than a vacation.  It’s a spiritual journey to reconnect with their history, feel their ancestors and have a full circle moment.  

For two survivors of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, it couldn’t be more complete, than with their journey to Ghana.  The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Ghana Tourism Authority Beyond the Return, Diaspora Affairs, Office of the President and the Diaspora Africa Forum, came together with traditional Ga leaders to perform an Official Naming Ceremony for Viola Fletcher, age 107 and her brother Hughes Van Ellis (Uncle Redd), age 100.  All dressed in white to signify their new beginning and participate in the traditional ceremony, their delegation included some of their family members. 

The event took place at the Accra Tourist information Centre and was attended by the local community and members of the diaspora.  People present included The Deputy Minister of Tourism Arts and Culture, Mark Okraku-Mantey, Deputy Director of Diaspora Affairs Office of the President, Nadia Adongo Musah, Chairperson of PANAFEST Foundation, Professor Esi Sutherland-Addy, Ambassador Nancy Sam, representatives of Ghana Tourism Authority and members of the African American Association of Ghana.  

Travelling at their age, the centenarians were warned not to travel to Africa because they had health issues before their trip.  “They were in the hospital before they came,” said Ambassador Bennett. “They both said the only way they would not come to Ghana is if they were in a coffin. And you see them here, so let’s give them a big standing ovation.”  Everyone rose to their feet in cheers and applause for the two for making the journey.   

The ceremony not only had great significance for the two historical icons, but it was greatly symbolic for all people of African descent who came before them.  Rabbi Kohain Halevi, is the executive director of the PANAFEST Foundation and a board member at the Diaspora Africa Forum.  Hei spoke on the significance of this moment, “The very fact that we are here on this occasion, that we have Mother Fletcher and Uncle Redd here that collectively combined represent 207 years of history and experience of our people on the other side in the diaspora and the ancestors have seen fit for them to cross that Atlantic Ocean with their family and come back over here, they have not come alone. They also have come with the ancestral spirits that crossed those waters. That sacrificed for years. That endured, they are the embodiment of the resilience of the African spirit.”

The Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Mark Okraku-Mantey, was asked to make remarks before the ceremony. “We appreciate your coming,” he said. “We’ve read about your story, the massacre that went on years ago, we’ve heard of stories like Amadou Diallo who was shot 41 times, but he didn’t have a gun on him. We saw the George Floyd story and so, it is obvious that it is not over and it will not be over until it’s over. So we appreciate those of you who went through all of that for us.  The choice by Madame Fletcher, Uncle Redd and the team, to visit Ghana is a step in the right direction.” 

The two were called to approach the podium where the naming ceremony would take place and be officiated by the Osu Alata Mantse, Nii Kwabena Bonnie V.  Mother Fletcher’s Ghanaian name given was Naa Lamiley and Uncle Redd’s name was Nii Lante.  The two were handed their certificates and the pouring of libations and prayers were said in their honour.  After their ceremony was completed, the rest of the delegation was also given their names and certificates. Their journey symbolizes the return of the global African diaspora.  It’s significance is deeply tied to Ghana’s roots in pan-Africanism, the Year of Return and now Beyond the Return initiatives with Ghana inviting the diaspora to return home to Africa.  

There was so much anticipation and emotion while waiting for the flight carrying two survivors of the Tulsa Race Massacre to arrive in Accra.  In 1921, the area of Greenwood in the city of Tulsa Oklahoma was burned down by a mob of whites who targeted the thriving black community. Thousands were left homeless and many were killed in the attack. Viola Fletcher, aka, ‘Mother Fletcher’, who was 7 years old at the time is till haunted by memories of the viscous attack. She’s often said that it’s been a dream to visit Africa before she sees God and this journey would fulfill that desire. Fletcher, who is 107 years old, and her brother Hughes Van Ellis, aka ‘Uncle Red’ age 100, have successfully fulfilled the lifelong dream of coming to Africa when they landed in Accra yesterday afternoon. 

Co-Founding Chair of the African Legacy Foundation, Dr. Toni Luck, who flew in from Johannesburg, South Africa and Ambassador Erieka Bennett, who is Head of Missions at the Diaspora African Forum, both were so filled with joy knowing that they were about to land in Ghana.  “It’s like waiting for my own grandmother,” Bennett said.  Dr. Luck, was pacing around the VIP lounge with so much excitement like a child on Christmas morning. She said she’s met Mother Fletcher before, but this moment was more special than any other.

The two centenarian siblings made the historic journey with other family members and supporters. The trip wouldn’t have been possible without the support of Michael Thompson, founder, and CEO of Our Black Truth, who sponsored the trip. “It’s a dream to actually be here and I’m looking forward to learning more about Ghana,” Thompson said upon arriving at the airport.  Malee Vivian Craft, Uncle Redd’s eldest daughter, came in the lounge just before her father and aunt did saying, “I’m very happy to be here. It’s my first time on the continent of Africa and I am just thrilled to be here…and I hope to make friends and learn a lot.”  His second eldest daughter Muriel Ellis Watson was also part of the delegation and excited to be in Ghana.

When the car pulled up with the two centenarians everyone applauded with overwhelming joy.  Mother Fletcher and Uncle Redd both stepped out of the airport car, grabbed their walkers and made their way into the VIP lounge to be greeted by everyone.  After all the necessary protocols were taken care of at the airport, the siblings were escorted to their vehicles and made their way to their hotel where they were greeted with a true Ghanaian welcome featuring a cultural display of drumming and dancing in their honour.  Uncle Redd was spotted moving his hands to the beat of the drum and Mother Fletcher’s eyes showed true joy as her grandson, Ike Vernon Howard, spun her around in a wheelchair dancing to the music.

The Diaspora African Forum played a big role in coordinating with Our Black Truth to make this trip a success with the support of The Diaspora Affairs Office of the President, Beyond the Return and Ghana Tourism Authority.  The coming week is filled with some activities that will give them an opportunity to experience Ghana, learn the culture and history while meeting some wonderful people.  Fletcher and Van Ellis are in for the experience of a lifetime.

By Ivy Prosper